Dalkey cleans up at Tidy Districts Competition

DÚN Laoghaire Rathdown County Council announced last week that Dalkey Tidy Towns were the overall winners of the 2018 Tidy Districts Competition.

At the annual awards ceremony Dalkey Tidy Towns were recognised for their cleanliness, initiatives supporting and protecting wildlife and their efforts to foster good community spirit.

Great leadership and teamwork went into maintaining and upkeeping their town and the surrounding area by working closely with the county council, local schools, businesses and fellow residents’ associations.

 Judging takes place all during July with various participating communities visited twice.

Community groups are judged on the appearance of their area, their efforts to promote community spirit and to work in partnership with the wider community and their ability to protect local wildlife.

 This, the 26th Tidy Districts Awards, saw over 100 people representing 36 local community groups getting involved

Twenty two residential category prizes were awarded to groups throughout the county. Residents’ associations and Tidy Towns Groups between them received award money to the sum of €6,500.

 Speaking at the awards ceremony, the cathaoirleach, Cllr Ossian Smyth, said: “It is heart-warming to see so many groups and individuals taking an interest in their local environment. Their clean-ups reduce litter finding its way into our oceans while efforts to support local wildlife by changing planting and spraying practices demonstrate a deeper connection to our planet.”

Cllr Smyth added: “The Tidy Districts Competition provides the council with 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.

“Going forward we will look to provide communities with the skills and knowledge to adapt to and mitigate against the challenges posed by climate change.” 

 Among the list of prize winners are: Richmond Park Tidy Districts Association (Best Housing Estate 5-100 houses; Seafield Residents’ (Best Housing Estate 101-200 houses) Ardagh Residents’ Association;  Broadford Residents’ Association (Best Housing Estate > 500 houses); Glasthule Building Estate Management Forum (Best Estate Management < 250 houses); Shanganagh Estate Management Forum (Best Estate Management > 250 houses).