GOREY TIDY TOWNS RESULTS AND REPORTS
ry necessitates a number of planning measures that you need to do in conjunction with a Biodiversity professional. If the County Council has such a person or equivalent all the better as you can avail of advice free from public perspective for the betterment of Courtown.
There was a distinct lack of Information Panels on various forms of Fauna,Flora and Marine Life of the area.
Specific projects or mini projects need to be identified and it would be very opportune to involve the local national school further out the R742.
Litter picks in wooded areas and pathways kept clean and weed free cross over into the Tidiness and Litter Category as well.
The objective in this category has moved on from one of reduce reuse and recycle to one of promoting the concept of reducing the production of potential waste at source such as excessive packaging.
“Doing more with less” is a very apt The practical benefits of good waste management and control of unnecessary production will be seen as a major contribution to a better environment.
A little more needed by way of input needed in this category as well in order to fully engae with the stated objective but also to gain additional marks.
Well done on the Plastic Sucks initiative and one hopes that the businesses buy into it,the same applies to the refill scheme which is becoming popular around the country
The large Bring Bank at the main car park was well managed, easily accessed and free from bags of loose litter.
To get more out of this sector in terms of creating even a greater awareness of a more sustainable environment consider looking at the following websites for idea generation www.localprevention.ie ,www.greenhomes.ie and www.sustainableprocessing.ie
Also something that this adjudicator became aware of during last year’s adjudication is the circular economy.
It is a bit too long to explain the concept in detail in this report, but if you access the following www.dccae.gov.ie you will get a pretty good idea of what it’s all about.
The idea of what is called a linear economy of “take, make and waste” is now being seen as not sustainable and alternatives need to be found.
The Bring Bank has been already positively commented upon in the previous category just to add that many centres that wouldn’t have the explosion of numbers during holiday season as Courtown wouldn’t have such a facility as well managed.
Some of the entry content seems to be in the future tense ! but one knows that you are working hard in this category on an ongoing basis aka your litter picks with other organisations.
The main thing that a Committee such as yours should be doing is constantly putting the message out there that
Courtown is Anti Litter and Anti Dog Fouling.
Influencing people to do the right thing for Courtown in this respect is key, there will always be non conformists but they are everywhere most citizens are cooperative.
The Dog Fouling initiative is a top idea so publicise it at every hands turn and yes humorous posters
The Green Dog Walker Scheme was mentioned in last year’s report, Wexford County Council has it publicised on its website.
The various forms of social media can assist you in getting your message across to the public instantly.
Derelict properties problem was addressed and commented on in a previous but overall the standard of litter control and general tidiness was more than acceptable on the evening in questions.
Local waste collectors had visited earlier in the day and this would have helped.
Courtown has a myriad of housing developments both established and newly built some permanently occupied and some holiday home schemes that for long periods of the year are vacant.
A cross section of these such as the very settled areas of Woodlands,Beechmount Crescent,Forest Park and newer developments like the attractive Harbour Court with its fine well maintained communal green areas and Beachside Gardens with its open plan design.
There are a number of very fine established and in some instances gated residences in the vicinity of Courtown Golf Club.
It is hard to do cross comparisons but in an overall context the standard of presentation was very good with a few exceptions which one finds in any town or village.
You have developed close ties with local residents associations and its possible that you have representatives from these linking into your main committee.
For next year do clarify if a representative of the residents associations sits on your committee.
One noticed that Courtown was referred to as a village in previous reports but at 20k plus inhabitants it doesn’t fit that category unless there is mass migration during the winter months.
The man road in and out of Courtown is the R742 that goes to Gorey Nothbound and down the coast via Kilmuckridge Southbound.
The entrances on both ends of this road were more than acceptable with verges cut back in accordance with good practice.
There were some very nice features that adjudicator had made note of his electronic devise but unfortunately the note disappeared.
One should have relied on the trust pen and note book which was the main medium for recording
There were some very attractive secondary entrances such as in from Ballymoney connecting on to the R742 through leafy areas adjacent to Courtown Demesne.
Side roads down to the coast were in a good state of repair.
Overall one was impressed with entrances into the Town.
It was a pleasure to visit Courtown after an absence of more than a few years. A few former old established places now shut down but some very positive changes as well.
You are wished well for the future.
306 MARKS (299 IN 2017)
Thank you for the excellent entry form and the supplementary material, which was substantial, in support of your application.
One just noticed that a number of the entry forms submitted from Wexford were more than similar in format and layout which suggests that there may be a healthy co operative effort between some centres or maybe it’s just a coincidence!
At this juncture the adjudicator would like to point out that it’s not possible to comment on all the information supplied in both entry form proper and the support material.
Feel assured that the adjudication was done in a fair and objective manner and within the official guidelines of the Competition.
This adjudicator had not been to Gorey for some time and the transformation and improvements that have taken place in the interim have been major and very positive.
The visit was a pleasant one and many good things were observed during the adjudication walk about.
Suffice to say that a strong committee such as yours have been instrumental through various ways of contributing to the Gorey of the present day.
The committee of 12 is sufficient for a large town such as Gorey but 8 additional volunteers seems a small number.
One would want a rota system to carry out all the practical work that you do and maybe a few more volunteers wouldn’t go amiss
You’re methods of communication are varied from the trusted newsletters and local newspapers to the new methods such as Group Texting Whats App and more.
You have an excellent Facebook presence which could act as an example for other centres. This adjudicator learned more from your Facebook page on One Plastic Day – liked the Plastic Detox Map! to Save the Bees than he would from any eminent journal.
Credit to the person or persons who have the responsibility for its upkeep.
The number of agencies and other organisations that you have supporting you shows that your work is being valued.
You look as if you have a very positive relationship with Wexford County Council via the local Municipal structure.
The many schools listed suggest that interaction between Tidy Towns and Principals and Teachers is good and strong and this can be seen through the various categories of the competition.
Lots of effort has gone into connecting with the business community and local organisations such as residents association.
Quite some progress has been made since Gorey entered the competition 14 years ago.
All you need now is another hurling All Ireland ,96 long way back and I don’t remember that day with too much fondness!
Overall the standard is very good and much additional work has been done in the category since last year.
An increase of an additional mark is warranted.
The title has changes somewhat this year the 60th year of the competition but the principles of this category remain the same.
To say that Gorey is busy town traffic wise is a bit of an understatement but in the judgement of this adjudicator it is managed as well as it can give the town structure.
That said Gorey is an inviting and quite cosmopolitan town and wouldn’t it be a lot worse if visitors didn’t come and enjoy the shops and nice coffee shops such as the Book Shop
The 1798 Monument at the entrance to the town was visited and the transformation since last year was noted.
This work also transcends into the next category of green spaces and landscaping so well done on being involved in this practical work with the municipal council.
The Suzuki Dealership of James Tomkins deserves mention as well for the manner in which the property has been presented.
Maybe the Market Square project could have been put in for next year’s competition as it’s a work in progress.
The work at the Avenue was visited and noted and that whole area looked extremely well on this very summer like day.
The Avenue which has the Gorey Library and Courthouse has seen major infrastructural improvements over the last number of years with new footpaths and some excellent urban landscaping – a very nice part of the town,
Like every town of similar size and smaller Gorey has its share of unoccupied commercial premises and properties/houses that have become slightly derelict.
The adjudicator noted some of these in his notes but the Committee is very much aware of the problem and is trying to address and make good where possible.
You are wished well with this task as it can be difficult for many reasons.
The following is a cross section of observations on shop fronts and public buildings made during the adjudication walkabout.
Charlotte Row is a street that has a significant history over the generations Christ Church (C of I) was visited and its history noted.
The Central School adjacent to it is very involved n projects with the Tidy Towns Committee.
On matters ecclesiastical both St Michaels Catholic Church and Methodist &Wesleyan Chapel were also visited and were presented well.
You are right when you say that the Gorey Market House is the town’s most historical building and the adjudicator spent some time in the Visitor Centre.
The proposed development over the next four years will be a major boost to the town when completed.
Gorey District hospital Building is notable from a historical perspective as well as its benefit to the community/
The following shop fronts appealed to this adjudicator for a variety of reasons: The Palms Centre for its contemporary design, The Town PO with its old red brick frontage,JJ Whitmore Jewellers Loch Gairm flags flying proudly,The Fowler Pub,Myles Doyle Select Grocer one of the nicest traditional shop fronts seen by this adjudicator, Halfords Hair Studio bright colour, French’s, the previously mentioned Bookshop Coffee House,the unique Art Box and Pets & Things on Esmonde Street,Floods Funeral Home and Partridges.
The small business park that has Gorey Tiles as one of its main businesses was extremely tidy and well managed.
Some fine information panels, including a very fine map of the town! were noted
Overall the standard was very good with works done since last year warranting an increase in marks.
This is category that Gorey has done well in over the last number of years and the Committee has taken on board any recommendations that previous adjudicators have mentioned.
This year I would just urge that you ensure that public planting schemes and urban trees etc are maintained to the standard that prevails at present.
It is very important to look after the basics on a continuing basis.
Gorey has many fine and open green spaces that are well managed and also some new urban tree planting aka the Avenue that further enhances the town.
The adjudicator observed a more than few outstanding public plantings arrangements during the adjudication walkabout – it was good that basics for shanks mare good walking feet prevailed as much of the town and surrounds were traversed by foot.
There were one or two green spaces that could benefit with a little planting arrangement or two.
One in particular stood out and to be honest the adjudicator has forgotten the area but it was quite near Floods Funeral Home and Bunscoil Loreto. It was a nice triangle green area with surround low timber fencing that was in need of wood preservative treatment.
An Gairdin Draiochta is what is says Magic with a lovely introductory information panel a collaboration between a number of bodies including the Tidy Towns Committee.
The Magic Stones are novel idea and well done to the creative people came up with such an initiative.
Good use of Pobal money and this was as you say very much to the forefront on your Face book page.
The proposed development of Gorey Town Park has been noted and the Park was visited during the adjudication.
Early 2019 seems rather short period of time to complete a major development such as this.
Excellent work on the Paul Funge Boulevard and Pettit’s Supervalu Roundabout.
The new colourful signs at the Heritage Orchard is an example how the involvement of school children can be so effective and creative.
The adjudicator observed the results of tree pruning as Frenchs Name was far more visible in reality compared to the picture in the entry form.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the quality of some of the private gardens that were seen during the adjudication.
Also top marks to those who had hanging baskets and window boxes aka row of cottage type house on Charlotte Row.
Whilst it’s good to see a move towards sustainable all year round planning a little summer colour, now that we have one, is pleasant to view.
Good work is being done in the area of wildlife preservation and promotion in an overall context and incremental improvements year on year is your objective which is very laudable.
But it is important to state that sustainability is the key and what you are doing under work in progress for this year and what you have planned for the years ahead will cement that sustainability.
Liaising with your Heritage and Environmental Officers of Wexford Co Co is also beneficial to you as it gives you scope to develop more projects.
The Committee has done some remedial work on foot of suggestions in last year’s report by laying weed resistant membranes around trees.
This is the type of ongoing maintenance that is critical to ensuring that parks such An Choill Draiochata will continue to evolve.
As mentioned in a previous section this is in fact a magical space.
Some litter problems at the stream at the side of Aldi need to be sorted and this will be addressed in the T&L category.
Good to note that this project has been entered into the All Ireland Pollinator Plan – a plan that knows no Brexit I’m led to believe!
Your work merits an increase in marks.
The objective in this category has moved on from one of reduce reuse and recycle to one of promoting the concept of reducing the production of potential waste at source such as excessive packaging.
“Doing more with less” is a very apt Activities that describe how as a community you manage waste and promote efficient use of resources and promote awareness is the key to gaining marks in this category.
The 6 projects that you have listed in the entry form are very much part of the objectives of this category but they are not new as such and are replicated around the country.
Again your strength is managing these projects and ensuring that sustainability is the key component of your work.
As you have stayed on the same mark for a few years this year an additional mark is warranted for additional work on a number of theses large projects.
To get more out of this sector in terms of creating even a greater awareness of all things that contribute to a more sustainable environment consider looking at the following websites for idea generation www.localprevention.ie ,www. greenhomes.ie and www.sustainableprocessing.ie
Also something that this adjudicator became aware of during last year’s adjudication is the circular economy.
It is a bit too long to explain the concept in detail in this report, but if you