TIDY TOWNS LOCAL RESULTS AND ADJUDICATORS’ REPORTS
green flag proudly flying. Recycling initiatives are worthy at the school. This category is all about how TidyTowns Committees can promote sustainable waste and resources management in their local community. Many groups are making strides in this category in association with other organisations. Please have a look at the following website (http:// localprevention.ie/tidy-towns/) to get ideas of
projects that can be undertaken by yourselves to encourage more sustainable behaviour in your community. This category is also about how your Tidy Towns Committee conducts things in a sustainable manner such as; reduced use of paper, re-using materials in planting projects, use of water butts for water collection and subsequent use in hanging baskets, planters etc. We note that you mention Irish Pride, they may implement an Environmental Management System on their site and recognise the benefit of implementing energy saving measures. Speak with your local authority waste awareness officer who may be able to help you with this category. The thrift shop promotes re-use and is applicable.
TIDINESS AND LITTER CONTROL
It is great that the annual National Spring Clean is used as an occasion to get the whole community working together to clean up the local streets, lanes and approach roads. We would be interested to learn how many volunteers you have next year at the Spring Clean event. We note that you have scheme workers conducting daily litter picks which is supplemented by litter picks from your volunteers. Your current litter management plans are working as litter control was generally good on adjudication day, albeit for cigarette butts. Butts were noted on the pavement outside Fat Boy’s on adjudication day. We thought the clothing bank outside the Gardaí station was poorly located and should be changed to a different location. Circus posters on poles look tatty and should now be removed after the event. The bring banks were not littered but perhaps liaise with the local authority to see if the banks could be washed, particularly the white one.
RESIDENTIAL STREETS & HOUSING AREAS
We visited a number of housing estates including Castle Court and Monastery Avenue. Signage at Monastery Avenue is in need of cleaning. A number of ladies are maintaining colourful flower tubs in Monastery Avenue and we acknowledge their good work. It is heartening to learn that residents in Mahoney’s Row and Stream Street help their neighbours who are less able to manage their own area.
APPROACH ROADS, STREETS AND LANES
Road surfacing is very uneven from the Kilmore Quay direction. On the Main Street / Stream Street junction we noted an ornate black water pump. We note you are trying to improve upon the chain link fence on the Wexford approach. The new footpaths on Mahony’s Row were noted. Thanks to Mrs Cogley and Mrs Dunleavy, who we note from your application, help in maintaining sections of your approach roads. You are also only mowing a strip along the roadside verges to allow sections of the verge to grow wild and act as a wildlife corridor. Consider signage to let residents know these verges are being actively managed or promote this work on your Facebook page. Concluding Remarks The historical past is of key importance to your village so it is positive to note that you are working to raise awareness of this and encourage more visitors to the town. We hope you find our comments constructive as you work towards increasing your score in the competition. We wish you well in your endeavours for the year ahead.
GLENMORE 233(229IN2016)
Glenmore picked up an extra four points in this year’s Tidy Towns competition increasing to 233 points.
Glenmore received the following marks this year: Community Involvement and Planning – 34; Built Environment and Streetscape – 32; Landscaping and Open Spaces – 33; Wildlife, Habitats and Natural Amenities – 16; Sustainable Waste and Resource Management – 11; Tidiness and Litter Control – 49; Residential Streets and Housing Areas – 25; Approach Roads, Streets and Lanes – 33.
The categories which improved were Community Involvement and Planning (up one); Sustainable Waste and Resource Management (up one); Tidiness and Litter Control (up one) and Residential Streets and Housing Areas (up one).
In the Community Involvement and Planning category the judges said this was Glenmore’s second year in the competition following a 13 year absence.
They said the committee received great support from local businesses and community groups. Judges were pleased the committee worked with young people and had various means to communicate with the local community.
Judges were ‘impressed that committee have a three Year Plan in place. It is indeed a good idea to focus on couple of visible projects. These will help the wider community see the benefits of Tidy Towns and then enable you to widen your objectives to cover all competition categories.’
In the Built Environment and Streetscape category the judges said the committee has a few exciting projects in mind noting the community is keen to preserve its built heritage.
‘All community buildings were well maintained – church, community and school. The latter has attractive tree planting. The Glen Bar looks very inviting – good outdoor seating was noted here. The window boxes at the Garda Station give it a ‘ lived in’ appearance. Could the front window be painted in as it draws the eye for the wrong reason? We couldn’t find any recent work at the old school steps – is this still in the planning stage? Work at the old Coach House is commended.’
In the Landscaping and Open Spaces the judges said the committee had created a pleasant amenity at the bridge with the judges recommending the committee try to plant native flowers if possible.
‘Most of your approach roads are through beautiful woodland and tree-lined roads. You have natural beauty in abundance, also a haven in terms of biodiversity. Flowerbeds at your various focal points throughout the village are well maintained – just try to prevent the weed barrier being visible. The grotto with its simple pots is lovely. Colourful window boxes, timber planters and pots throughout the village give a welcoming impression and brighten up the streetscape.’
In the Wildlife, Habitats and Natural Amenities category the judges said: ‘Glemore is surrounded by beautiful woodland – the area must be rich in wildlife. You are taking the right approach in carrying out a survey of what wildlife you do have in your area.
‘It is also worthwhile involving the school. Schools do a ‘Biodiversity’ theme as part of their 5th Green Flag programme so they would be especially interested when they are at stage.’
In the Sustainable Waste and Resource Management the judges commended the national school for achieving its green flag and suggested linking in with them regarding future themes.
‘We know that all the children are bringing messages home on how we should be reducing waste, water and energy for a better environment. You are embracing the idea of Reuse – we think we saw your tyre planters at the riverside. You are encouraging the children to get involved in Reuse in a fun way.’
In the Tidiness and Litter Control category the judges found the village clean on the day of their visit saying it had a fairly tidy appearance commending the volunteers and committee.
The judges felt the standard in the Residential Streets and Housing Areas category was high.
‘We admired several lovely gardens with a good mix of colour for year round interest. Some roadside homes freshly painted and enhanced with window boxes or tubs. The Sallies Estate very neat – the houses would benefit from painting soon. We note that you have been in contact with Kilkenny County Council in this regard, as this is a Council estate. The lovely terrace opposite the pub was admired as was the grey house nearby with the sash windows and the cottage uphill from the pub.’
In the final category Approach Roads, Streets and Lanes the judges noted the committee feel the proposed New Ross by-pass will have a major impact on the approach roads and will completely alter the traffic flow through the village.
They also recommended erecting ‘Welcome’ signs on the approach roads. They also said: ‘ the centre of the village by the pub has a lovely ‘square’ like feel to it and this should be encouraged by way of any future plans or landscaping, to give your village a focal point’.
INISTIOGE 325(318IN2016)
Inistioge had a jump of seven points in this year’s Tidy Towns competition scoring 325 points.
The pretty village received the following marks this year: Community Involvement and Planning – 48; Built Environment and Streetscape – 43; Landscaping and Open Spaces – 48; Wildlife, Habitats and Natural Amenities – 40; Sustainable Waste and Resource Management – 21; Tidiness and Litter Control – 56; Residential Streets and Housing Areas – 30; Approach Roads, Streets and Lanes – 39.
In the Community and Planning category the judges said the map accompanying the application was ‘not only beautifully artistic to look at but it clearly highlighted your recent work, approach roads and key landmarks. The best we’ve seen on this round of adjudication.
They were delighted that Inistioge has been chosen as one of only two tourism hubs in the new Kilkenny County Council Tourism Strategy (2017 – 2022). They said the committee is well organised and a strong sustainability ethos.
The efforts of the committee to encourage new residents to get involved was also commended as was the committee’s response to previous recommendations by the judges.
Judges felt that the residents ‘are obviously proud of where they live’.
In terms of the Built Environment and Streetscape the judges was delighted to read that the village is designated a National Monument and therefore are preservation laws in relation to the preservation of the unique built heritage. You show great cognisance of the need to do this in the
appropriate manner and to highlight it to others.
‘We admired by some lovely homes and businesses where original details and sash windows have been preserved. The lovely church is nestled between two streets and we were fascinated by the building design to the rear. The hard landscaping here is softened by attractive flower planters. We enjoyed a wander into the historic St. Mary’s Church. Further uphill, St. Colmcille’s Brass Band Preservation Building is another building of note – can the murals be freshened up soon?’
A banner on one of the licenced premises detracted from the visual appearance according to the judges who also noted that the signage at the cafe was poor. The post office and the adjacent building were also admired as were O’Donnell’s and O’Keeffe’s.
In the Landscaping and Open Spaces category the judges said the committee strikes a ‘ very good balance’ noting that the majority of new planting is pollinator friendly.
‘St. Colmcille’s was a wonderful surprise on our walk about – this sizeable hillside area is beautifully maintained while at the same time offering encouragement for bees and other wildlife.
‘ The village square is another gem and a lovely place to sit and observe the goings-on – we loved the clean lines and simple landscaping here to reflect the elegance of the surroundings. The majestic copper beech tree was admired.
‘ The red geraniums at the old Methodist Church provide good contract against the white background. The Millennium