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Saturday, November 24, 2018

Tidy Towns Report 2018


After a wonderful Summer the Tidy Towns committee can now reflect on what was a great 60th anniversary of Tidy Towns in Ireland. The Grotto project, supported by Murphy Bros. Agricultural Contractors progressed with the removal of briars and ditches from the perimeter and the introduction of new topsoil. The now raised green area compliments what is a magnificent feature in the centre of our town. A number of trees will be planted here in the Spring to acknowledge the contributions of former members.

In conjunction with Portlaw National School and supported by Waterford City and County Council an ‘Anti-litter and Graffiti Awareness Scheme’ was led by the Tidy Towns. This scheme entitled ‘Create Life Not Litter’ involved pupils in the school setting seeds and transferring the flowers into window boxes over the following few weeks. Our thanks to Clodaigh House for facilitating this initiative. These window boxes were then displayed on both the windows of the school and on window sills in Brown Street. This project was put forward for the National Tidy Towns competition as a school project and we are delighted that the project was voted the best school’s project in the South East. The award brought a €1,000 prize to Portlaw NS.

The islands around the square are being painted highlighting the extensive resurfacing  project carried out by the council here last year. Extra concrete flower pots have been added to the islands and were filled with bedding plants to enhance this area. An initiative to add a floral display in the fountain at the square was implemented with tremendous success. Many thanks to Morris’s D.I.Y. for sponsoring this display and to Children’s Group Link Waterford for supporting the project by making the tiered flower boxes. We were delighted to have the area looking so well for the “All Together Now” festival visitors.

A  Summer Street Clean took place during June and we are extremely thankful to all the volunteers who joined us for an evening of litter picking around the town.

The Tidy Towns hosted a Master Composter Programme in Clodaigh House during May and June. This programme involved 3 evening sessions and 2 Saturday sessions over 6-8 weeks.

15 participants were trained on all aspects of home composting and food waste prevention in their local communities. As part of the programme, a demonstration site was built at the allotments in Clodaigh House. The demonstration sites are designed to be a local resource where people can be brought to see how composting works. We look forward to having our own ‘home-made’ compost to plant our flowers next year.

2019 will see the development of the town park whereby the steep banks at the top of the park will be removed along with the park sod in order to grade the park and reset with grass seed. A new footpath will be constructed through the park, to the rear of the goal, which will allow users of the new car-park to access the school. The Tidy Towns intend to add  perimeter fencing which will allow the school to use the facility during school times and will put an end to dog fouling in the park. Some park benches will be added to facilitate those wishing to engage in a leisurely walk around this wonderful amenity.

We would like to take this opportunity to promote the  portlawwalkingtrails.wordpress.com website which offers excellent detailed walking routes around  Portlaw.  As always we welcome new members, we meet every Monday evening during the Summer at 7pm at the Grotto. We only ask that you give us one hour on any night that you’re free.

For further details please contact Ray Murphy 087 1361861.
Portlaw Tidy Towns ; Andy Lennon. Mary Butler. Denis O’Donoghue. Ray Murphy.

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We will take up our annual church gate collection on December 1st & 2nd.  Your support would be greatly appreciated to enhance our town.

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