Tidy Towns
Over the last few decades, Ireland’s Towns and Villages have been totally transformed by small groups of dedicated people across the country, volunteering for the good of their Communities. Tidy Towns groups across the country have also been ensuring that our bee populations survive by implementing the All Ireland Pollinators Plan. Who better to assist in the green regeneration of Offaly?
The Changing Nature of the Competition
As the competition evolves, more emphasis is being placed on the Environmental and Sustainability categories. These categories can often be tricky to score well in due to many reasons. There is specific technical knowledge needed, as in the installation of renewable energy, and botanical knowledge regarding the right species of flowers to plant. There are also other issues: for years the groups were told that weeds are untidy and do not belong in the competition and now they are being encouraged to let them grow for pollinators and wildlife. Climate Change has turned everything on its head, including the Tidy Towns Competition!
Tidy Towns Environmental Charter
In November 2019 we invited the Offaly Tidy Towns groups to come together in Ferbane. With special guest Duncan Stewart leading the way, we worked together; looking at ways in which we could help create a greener future for our Towns and Villages (and of course bump up the points). Duncan inspired, informed and worked hard with the groups, throughout the day.
By working through the themes within the competition we explored the measures that we can take towards becoming a Greener County. The aim of the day was to create a Green Charter that all of Offaly’s Tidy Towns groups can work towards implementing over the next 10 years. We categorised the actions into short (easy), medium (doable with a bit of help) and long term (going to need a lot of help) objectives.
Some of the actions on the Charter will take time and expertise to implement. Don’t forget, Green Offaly is here to help groups who are committed to achieving the actions. If you are a Tidy Towns group who needs help, guidance or support in achieving any of the actions on the Charter please contact us.
Green Offaly would like to give a big thank you to all the groups who turned up on the day and also extend thanks to the award winning Abbeyleix Tidy Towns group represented by Mark Clancy and Mary White who generously shared their wisdom and expertise.
We strongly recommend that any groups seeking inspiration should look at the truly inspirational work of Abbeyleix Tidy Towns which you can see here.
The Charter can be download below. We are encouraging as many groups as possible to sign up to the Charter, as well as bumping up your points, it will help our County become greener, wilder and richer for all!