€50,000 funding boost for Tidy Towns groups
The deadline for nominations for the Garda Youth Awards has been extended to Thursday, December 14.
Project leader Garda Emma Skinner said that a steady stream of nominations has been coming in from all over the county.
Friends, family, neighbours, coaches and leaders are being urged to put forward deserving young people to recognise their contribution to society.
‘Wicklow gardaí recognise that a lot of great work is being done by the young people in many communities throughout County Wicklow,’ said Garda Skinner, who is a juvenile liaison officer.
‘We wish to acknowledge and reward this work through the Garda Youth Awards.’
She said that awards will be consideread for nominated young people who, by their presence make their communities (or society in general) a better place in which to live.
Previous winners have contributed to society in a whole host of ways: from volunteering, raising money for charity and encouraging use of the Irish language, to taking special care of a family member, carrying out community work, and bravely facing serious illness.
There will also be awards for groups of two or more young people whose combined efforts contributed positively to their communities or others in general. Special Achievement Awards will be considered for those young people who have defied the odds or overcome difficulties during their lives.
Award nominees must be aged between 12 and 21 and live in Co Wicklow. Any member of the public (including gardaí or family members) can nominate anyone they feel deserves an award.
The judging panel consists of three independent individuals who deal with youth affairs on a daily basis, namely Alison Fox, a youth officer for KWETB; Fionnuala Curry, coordinator of Wicklow Children’s and Young Persons Services Committee; and Dermot O’Brien, who is coordinator of Wicklow Comhairle.
The official awards night will take place on February 9 in the Arklow Bay Hotel.
This year’s awards are sponsored by Wicklow County Partnership while the Wicklow People and Bray People are media sponsors.
A nomination form is printed on the opposite page and they have also been distributed widely, throughout the county to youth clubs, sports clubs, secondary schools and Garda Stations. Nomination forms can also be obtained via the Facebook page ‘Wicklow Garda Youth Awards’ or by emailing emma.j.skinner@Garda.ie A TOTAL of €50,000 in funding has been approved to Tidy Towns groups across County Wicklow.
The funding was announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development in recent days to mark the 60th anniversary of the national competition.
‘I am delighted to announce a grant scheme for the Supervalu Tidy Towns committees. Generations of people in communities have volunteered with Tidy Towns to make our country a place we can all be proud of. I have nothing but admiration for the volunteers here tonight and across the country and this grant scheme is recognition from the Government of the huge contribution made by citizens in their own community. 2018 sees the 60th Anniversary of the Supervalu Tidy Towns competition and this grant scheme is just part of the Department’s celebration of that milestone,’ the Minister said.
Wicklow TD and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Andrew Doyle welcomed the funding and said that it will be put to good use by the many hard-working Tidy Towns groups across the county.
He acknolwedged the dedication of the volunteers and thanked them for their efforts and good work.
‘I am delighted to see even more funding going to towns and villages throughout county Wicklow. I have no doubt that the money will be a huge boost to our local communities and will be put to great use. Tidy Towns competition inspires a huge amount of voluntary effort in towns and villages across the country. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all those who give up their free time to make our communities better places to live. Being a volunteer with Tidy Towns allows individuals to practice their passion for the good of their community, whether that passion concerns the built environment, landscaping, sustainable living, and local wildlife or organising a litter collection; there is a place for it in Tidy Towns,’ he said.
The county allocation has been broken down as follows but could vary from town to town once applications have been submitted by each group: Wicklow €3,000, Tinahely €2,000, Roundwood €1,000, Knockananna €1,000, Delgany €2,000, Avoca €1,000, Kiltegan €1,000, Enniskerry €2,000, Bray €4,000, Aughrim €2,000, Laragh & Glendalough €1,000, Greystones €4,000, Donard €1,000, Arklow €3,000, Newtownmountkennedy €2,000, Dunlavin €1,000, Blessington €2,000, Grangecon €1,000, Stratford-On-Slaney €1,000, Ashford €2,000, Glenealy €1,000, Shillelagh €1,000, Rathdrum €2,000, Newcastle €1,000, Carnew € 2,000, Kilcoole €2,000, Rathdangan €1,000, Coolboy €1,000, Hollywood €1,000, Ballycoog €1,000.