IT’S time to get cleaning as the call goes out for Dublin communities to get involved in the 2017 SuperValu Tidytowns competition.
The competition, which is now in its in 59th year, is open for entries. Administered by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs it is sponsored by SuperValu.
Throughout its history the competition has encouraged voluntary activity and community participation across Dublin, to help to make villages and towns better and more attractive places to live, work and do business in.
Speaking at the launch, Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu said: “This is one of the longest running sponsorships in Ireland and one that we are extremely proud to be associated with.
“SuperValu TidyTowns celebrates the efforts of communities in Dublin, who year after year work tirelessly in an effort to enhance their towns and villages.
“As the competition continues to grow, SuperValu is looking forward to continuing its support, having recently been confirmed as sponsor of the competition for the next five years.”
Mr Kelleher added: “As Ireland’s leading retailer, with locally-owned SuperValu stores in every county in the country, our retailers are embedded in their local communities.
“And through the SuperValu TidyTowns competition, we bring the SuperValu ethos of building vibrant local communities to life on a daily basis – just one of many community initiatives which allows them to give back and support local.
“This year we are excited to add another dimension to SuperValu TidyTowns with the ‘Upcycling Challenge’, which is encouraging TidyTowns committee members to integrate upcycled and recycled materials into their beautiful communities, with their efforts supported by local SuperValu retailers around the country.”
Minister for Regional Economic Development, Michael Ring, added: “The SuperValu TidyTowns Competition is built on the voluntary effort of ordinary people across Ireland.
“Its success is a result of that selfless effort. It is a competition that helps to bring neighbours, with shared values and shared interests, together to improve their surroundings.
“Almost all members in a community can contribute to the SuperValu TidyTowns competition, regardless of age, ability or interests.
“Participating in the competition raises environmental awareness and it encourages communities to look at how they live, how they use resources and to try to cre-ate a circular economy which produces little or no waste.
“We all have a responsibility to consider the effect of how we live affects others.”
This year, towns and villages across Ireland are being asked to further grow the SuperValu TidyTowns green culture through a new competition – the Imagine, Create and Enjoy Upcycling Challenge.
TidyTowns committees will be invited to use their DIY skills to upcycle and recycle items such as palettes, old tyres and furniture into useful and beautiful community creations.
Local SuperValu retailers will provide committees with materials to support their efforts, and there will also be a series of instructional videos available online, with an overall prize for the winning committee.
The closing date for receipt of entries for this year’s competitions is May 25.
The SuperValu TidyTowns competition can be obtained from the TidyTowns Unit in the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (tel 096-24309) or by visiting www.tidytowns.ie or www.supervalu.ie.
For entry to the Special Competitions challenge, download your entry form at www.tidytowns.ie or www.supervalu.