13 October 2023
Tidy Towns Competition 2023 Ballinamore Co.Leitrim. Report
Community – Your Planning and Involvement / An Pobal - Pleanáil agus Rannpháirtíocht:
Failte chuig Comortas Na mBailte Slachtmhara Super Valu don bhliain 2023. Taimid buioch daoibh as ucht na hiontrala a chur chugainn, agus guimid gach rath ar bhur gcuid oibre amach anseo. Adh Mor. Welcome to the 2023 SuperValu Tidy Towns competition. We are very glad to have you on board once again, this your 38th year in the competition. We sympathize with you over all the form filling – it can be endlessly long so we really appreciate the time and effort taken to participate. We hope you will find some IT savvy volunteers as they could really make a difference. Your continued involvement with the Leitrim Volunteer Network and support of our friends in Direct Provision and our Ukrainian friends is praiseworthy. Tidy towns activities are highlighted throughout the year with all committees and you host ‘Meet your Neighbour’ at your AGM. Your liaison officer visits the schools regarding several initiatives. Your main project this year was on-going works at St. Felim’s junction which is very important to the town. The quality of the work is good and will create a great impression when complete.
Streetscape & Public Places / Sráid-Dreach & Áiteanna Poiblí:
We enjoyed several information boards with the heritage and biodiversity of the town. Steeped in history, the town has seen many changes. Once a canal town its real growth was during the 18th C as demand for iron flourished, then it was a market town and now a hub for tourists. The canal walk was captive with great views of the river and plenty of benches for rest. Red safety railings over the bridge looked vibrant. The Marina on the Shannon/Erne waterway has pleasant views onto the canal and easy access around the town. Despite the weather, it appears to have good bank fishing. We noted many bi-lingual signs and good use of the Irish language – Scoil Chlann Naofa and Creach na ionra are good examples. Good maintenance on old shop fronts. Scollan was excellent, again the red is very striking. We loved the spread of daisies at the Genealogy centre and we presume you are supporting the local GAA colours in the green & yellow bench colours? The hospitality sector deserves a round of applause. We note all the power washing and commitment to presentation. Lakeland Bar, The Poor Scholar, Smyths, Tabhairne an bhanc, Shortts Heritage bar, The Commercial. We have probably missed some as they were so many – great job everyone. Fantastic maintenance. Granny’s house nicely painted. The Island Theatre is a modern build and looks well. Across the way the John Joe McGirl monument was spotless and a nice feature. Trees along the main street contribute to pleasant surroundings. We acknowledge your work to promote good maintenance of businesses and private residences. We support your plans to increase the number of bicycle racks as the Leitrim Cycling festival goes from strength to strength. We thank you for the advice and support you give to Tesco group. We hope funding is successful for the Astro turf facility. New footpaths, lighting and road surface are welcome out to Oughteragh graveyard.
Green Spaces and Landscaping / Spásanna Glasa agus Tírdhreachú
Your plans to make a focal point of the fountain are exciting and we look forward to hearing of its progress next year. We commend the low mow practices in and around the playground in line with the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. The sports complex was valued with plenty of activity. Lots of floral displays were well managed around the town and we thank all those working in the community garden, Men’s shed, RSS and TUS workers. Communities are being given more autonomy and sharing resources with the local authority can lead to better delivery for many of the town’s projects. Examples of actions to improve green spaces include: increasing the number and variety of tree planting, tackle litter, improve lighting and security and provide facilities like toilets. Make sure they are inviting for all ages and cultures.
Nature and Biodiversity in your Locality / An Dúlra agus an Bhithéagsúlacht i do cheantar
The group shows a great understanding of this category with low mow May, no pesticides and let the dandelion grow. We are pleased to hear you link in with the schools and Waterways Ireland and advise small sections to be left uncut – good work. We are eager to hear if the sand martins have taken up residence in the nest box on the riverside. On adjudication day it was very wet so it was not possible to observe. Fingers crossed. Great to have the help of the Men’s shed to build nest boxes for your swift project at the old church of Ireland buildings. Keep us updated. Let us know what flags the green schools are working towards
Sustainability – Doing more with less / Inmharthanacht - Mórán ar an mbeagán:
You have listed six maintenance initiatives in this category. Community garden, sustainable travel with the bus service, recycled wood, no pesticides and reusable plastic bottles/lunch boxes and shopping bags. Adopting sustainable living does not have to be an uphill battle - remove your name from a mailing list responsible for stuffing your post box is a practical and inexpensive step to your everyday routine. Perhaps your expert gardener could make a list of sustainable gardening methods for example or guide the community on ways to conserve water etc. Two derelict buildings have had windows replaced with street art which is attractive. We wish the social housing in church street all the best in ‘Love where you live’. Your plans to add a biodiversity and picnic tables for the residents is credible. Many estates visited were well maintained. Well done to all residents. As a small rural town many approaches are lined with mixed hedges creating wildlife corridors. Approach signage with perennial planting was admired.
Tidiness and Litter Control / Slachtmhaireacht agus Rialú Bruscair:
Well done on the Good Friday Clean up. Your ongoing litter picks seems to be helping and new solar bins are working well. Litter control is highlighted at all meetings in the school. We noticed you promotion of litter in the window of Maguires on the main street. The adjudicator felt the litter promotion on signage on the approach roads was a bit dated. Dog fouling bins will be helpful on the Greenway/Blueway. We applaud the group for having a litter team for festival and events. Keep on top of weed growth at kerbs – we know this is very difficult but it does create a very good image if we can achieve good maintenance. Good work.
Residential Streets & Housing Areas / Sráideanna Cónaithe & Ceantair Tithíochta:
Two derelict buildings have had windows replaced with street art which is attractive. We wish the social housing in church street all the best in ‘Love where you live’. Your plans to add a biodiversity and picnic tables for the residents is credible. Many estates visited were well maintained. Well done to all residents.
Approach Roads, Streets & Lanes / Bóithre Isteach, Sráideanna & Lánaí:
As a small rural town many approaches are lined with mixed hedges creating wildlife corridors. Approach signage with perennial planting was admired.
Concluding Remarks: Working in partnership with government agencies, businesses and local residents will pay off and a strong community voice is important for leadership. Quality action has been achieved by a dedicated group of 20 and we wish you all the best for the coming year. Many thanks for your support
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