PURE Mile Awards take place next week

THE winners of the Pure Mile awards 2017 will be unveiled at a glittering ceremony at the Brooklodge Hotel on Tuesday, October 3.

Pure Mile voluntary groups from across County Wicklow will be in attendance as the winners of the 2017 competition are revealed. Groups have been hard at work in their individual communities, working on keeping a stretch of road – one mile in distance – litter-free and preserving flora and fauna. The Pure Mile initiative is su- pervised by PURE (Protecting Uplands and Rural Environments) and aims to foster a greater appreciation and awareness of our country roadscapes by rewarding and acknowledging local community efforts. This can be achieved through keeping a mile stretch of road, and the immediate environment litter/rubbish free, while simultaneously considering the preservation and careful maintenance of the flora and fauna, ditches, hedge-rows, and any other natural or man made features of the area. Previous participants have undertaken such tasks as upgrading signage and enhancing historial features for all to enjoy.

There are seven awards involved in the competition: Best Pure Mile (Overall Award) – Best Litter Free Mile – Best Community Effort – Best Education Award – Best Natural Heritage Mile – Best Built/Social/Curlural Heritage Mile, Best Protect/Adopt An Upland Award. There is over €4,000 worth of prize money to be won and all entries will feature in the PURE Mile Calendar.