SHANKILL Tidy Towns was declared the overall winner of the 2016 Tidy Districts Competition last week.
Commenting on the award, the judging panel said the group had shown great teamwork for the upkeep and maintenance of the town and surrounding area, by working closely with the local council, schools, businesses and residents’ associations.
Contributing to the success of Shankill Tidy Towns was the introduction of an ‘Adopt an area’ programme which called on an army of volunteers to maintain small areas, while the TNT (Thursday Night Team) of volunteers proved they were pure dynamite by undertaking large enhancement projects outlined in a three-year management programme.
A total of 120 people from 40 different groups were represented at the 24th Tidy Districts Awards with 15 residential category prizes awarded to groups throughout the county.
Residents’ associations and Tidy Towns groups between them received award money to the sum of €5,000.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, the cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Cllr Cormac Devlin, congratulated Shankill Tidy Towns on their tremendous success in this year’s Tidy Districts competition.
“Their well organised and hardworking committee have demonstrated the benefits in having such an active Tidy Towns committee in an area,” he said. “All residents of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County owe all participants in Tidy Districts a great deal of gratitude for their work in their respective areas.
“It is heartening to see this level of volunteerism from so many people who take time out to add value to their local communities and environment. We are very proud of all of the estates and Tidy Towns groups who’ve entered this year’s competition and note that the standard has increased year-on-year.”
Dean Eaton, Acting Environmental Awareness Officer, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, added: “The Tidy Districts Competition gives the council the opportunity to formally recognise and reward the hard working residents’ associations and Tidy Towns groups in the county who take responsibility for, and take an active interest in, their own local environments. Most noteworthy is the increased interest to enhance and protect our natural heritage through the introduction of pollinator friendly planting and maintenance programmes.”
Meanwhile, the mayor of South Dublin County Council, Cllr Guss O’Connell, congratulated Tidy Towns groups throughout the county on achieving great results in the SuperValu National TidyTowns competition.
“Our Tidy Towns committees should be commended on steadily increasing their scores on an annual basis,” the mayor said.
“The competition has been encouraging community involvement for many years, by inspiring a huge amount of community effort in our county. The effort of our volunteers in South Dublin helps to cement community relations and increase civic pride while improving our environment. The community groups and the council staff collaborate to provide a living environment which is beneficial to all.”
This year, South Dublin County Council worked in partnership with Lucan, Clondalkin, Newcastle, Griffeen, Woodstown Village, Templeogue, Palmerstown and North Clondalkin committees.
Patrick O’Sullivan from the Clondalkin Tidy Towns Committee, who attended the ceremony, added: “I wish to thank everyone who helped out, volunteered and supported our cause in creating a cleaner, greener and more caring Clondalkin. In five short years Clondalkin TidyTowns has achieved a great deal. These achievements would not have been possible without the help and support of a number of local businesses and organisations. The financial support and local expertise from South Dublin County Council has enabled us to get where we are today. We look forward to their continued support in 2017. By pursuing our issues, thanks must also go to our local ublic representatives who have embraced the concept of improving our environment.”