Aughrim strikes gold in Tidy Towns awards
AUGHRIM is no stranger to Tidy Towns success.
The village won the overall award in 2007, was proclaimed ‘Ireland’s Best Kept Small Town,’ in 2006, ‘Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town,’ in 2009, and received a gold medal for this year’s results.
This year’s awards were presented last week with Arklow getting a bronze award along with Wicklow town and Shankill.
Aughrim was also the County Winner, with Stratford-on-Slaney highly commended, Arklow commended and an endeavour award given to Blessington.
The awards for the Midlands and East Region of SuperValu Tidy Towns were presented last Wednesday at a ceremony at the Community Hall, Moynalty, County Meath.
Moynalty were the overall winners in the region.
Minister Damien English presented the awards along with SuperValu regional manager Paul Rice.
Also joining the Minister on stage was Colm Breheny, Client Services Manager Fáilte Ireland.
‘I’m delighted to have this opportunity today to acknowledge the efforts of Tidy Towns groups across this region, and to pay tribute to the very many enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers who get involved in this great competition every year,’ said Minister English.
‘ The unselfish effort and the generosity displayed by these volunteers really does make a difference to our communities,’ he said.
‘ The results of their hard work is evident across the region in towns and villages that are better cared for, better places to live and more attractive places to visit.’
Paul Rice of SuperValu said that Tidy Towns is a demonstration of the work done locally by countless volunteers, who undertake to foster community spirit and help to build vibrant local communities for the present and future generations to follow.
Over 800 communities entered this year’s competition.
The competition has been running since 1958 and is organised by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.