AN exchange of ideas and tips between successful Tidy Town groups in West Cork, and those not as successful, could benefit everyone and help increase overall scores in the annual competition.
By Kieran O’Mahony
AN exchange of ideas and tips between successful Tidy Town groups in West Cork, and those not as successful, could benefit everyone and help increase overall scores in the annual competition.
At a recent meeting of the Municipal District of West Cork, municipal officer Justin England said that some towns and villages across the Municipal District were doing exceptionally well on a consistent basis and said that Bantry increased ‘big time.’
‘Other places could do with more assistance and we are going to do an analysis and see what people are doing well. We want them then to talk to others who may not be doing as well and give them tips on how to improve their scores,’ said Mr England.
‘It’s not about litter these days anymore, it’s all about sustainability.’
He said that it can be about simple things like choosing the appropriate flowers and plants or how to fill out the application form properly and he suggested bringing all the groups together in one room for this.
Cllr Joe Carroll (FF) agreed with the idea and said that when it comes to the Tidy Towns, it’s all about ‘selling yourself’ and he supported the idea of getting Tidy Town groups together to talk to other groups.
Senior executive engineer Ruth O’Brien said that some groups can score better if they include in their applications what the Council is doing for them for the year ahead.
Cllr Paul Hayes (SF) congratulated council officials and staff as well as all the volunteer groups for the recent Tidy Town results.
‘In some cases we were only a couple of marks off national titles,’ said Cllr Hayes.
Cllr Declan Hurley (Ind) said that they should write to all the different committees to thank them for their hard work. West Cork once again did very well at this year’s SuperValu Tidy Towns competition with Clonakilty retaining their Gold medal, while Rosscarbery, Bantry, Kinsale and Skibbereen won silver medals. Ahiohill got a County Endeavour award while Eyeries, Rathbarry, Lislevane and Ballydehob won bronze medals.