Friday, April 19, 2013

Clare’s TidyTowns groups attend information evening

The Chairman of the All Island Pride of Place competition and an adjudicator from TidyTowns Ireland joined representatives of 24 Clare community groups at an information evening held in Áras Contae an Chláir, Ennis, last night.

The event, which was hosted by Clare County Council, acknowledged the positive work that Tidy Towns Groups are doing across the County, in a voluntary capacity, to enhance the County’s towns and villages.

Speakers on the evening included Anne Haugh, Deputy County Manager; Tom Dowling, Chairman of All Island Pride of Place; and Lorraine Power, Environmental Consultant and Tidy Towns Adjudicator. TidyTowns committees from Ennis and Tuamgraney also shared their experiences with the groups in attendance about their involvement in the Supervalu TidyTowns Competition. The evening concluded with a questions and answers session which enabled groups to raise any issues in relation to the TidyTowns competition.

Speaking following the event, Mayor of Clare Cllr. Pat Daly stated: “This event provided me, in my capacity as Mayor of Clare, with an ideal opportunity to acknowledge the positive work that is taking place in all our towns and villages by these groups. Their positive contribution is of particular significance in 2013, the year of The Gathering, during which we need to continue to present our county and country in the best possible light, as a clean and green destination to live in, do business in and visit.  Clare County Council will continue to support these groups”.

Deputy Clare County Manager, Anne Haugh explained that the purpose of the information evening was to provide TidyTowns groups with a valuable networking opportunity and to enable them to tap into beneficial advice and support from fellow participants, previous winners as well as the various Council resources.

“Clare’s TidyTowns groups make a positive contribution to the improvement and appearance of our towns and villages. To this end I am pleased to announce that Clare County Council has appointed one of its staff, Ms Betty Devanny, as TidyTowns Coordinator. Betty will act as a special resource and point of contact for all Tidy Towns groups.  With the closing date for submission of entries to the Tidy Towns Competition on 23rd May next, I would hope that this event is timely also in its potential to positively influence and strengthen the applications of participating communities,” Ms. Haugh concluded.