Tidy Towns launches 60th anniversary competition
The 2018 SuperValu TidyTowns competition is now open for entries following the launch of the competition in the TidyTowns Grove in the Phoenix Park.
Now in its 60th year, the competition is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and is sponsored by SuperValu. Over the lifetime of the SuperValu TidyTowns competition, generations of TidyTowns volunteers up and down the country have worked to improve the appearance of their locality and make their town or village more attractive for residents and visitors alike.
Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu said: “This year is an important milestone for SuperValu TidyTowns as it marks the 60th anniversary of the competition. Reaching this landmark is a remarkable achievement both for the competition and the TidyTowns committees who have worked tirelessly over the year to enhance their towns and villages.”
Mr Kelleher went on to say: “2018 is the 27th year that SuperValu has sponsored TidyTowns. We are delighted to continue our long-running partnership with the competition to help make the communities we live in even better and to recognise the efforts of thousands of volunteers across the country who put in countless hours every week. This year, as we mark the 60th anniversary of TidyTowns, we are calling on volunteers in Co Meath to get involved.
“As Ireland’s leading independent grocery retailer, with our stores owned by entrepreneurs from the local community, we understand the importance of improving the quality of life in the towns and villages that our retailers work and live in.”
Minister for Regional Economic Development, Michael Ring, said, “The SuperValu TidyTowns Competition is built on the voluntary effort of ordinary people across Ireland. Its success is a result of that selfless effort. It is a competition which brings neighbours, with shared values and shared interests, together to improve their locality. Almost all members in a community can contribute to the SuperValu TidyTowns competition, regardless of age, ability or interests. I urge existing Tidy Towns Committees in Meath to register by the 23rd May deadline and I would love to see towns and villages get involved which haven’t previously participated in the competition.”
“Sixty years on from the first Tidy Towns, the competition is going from strength to strength. Last year over 870 towns and villages competed in the SuperValu Tidy Towns, each of them driven by the same sense of community pride which spurred on the inaugural contestants in 1958.
“In recognition of the hard work and dedication of the volunteers who have worked tirelessly over the past 60 years, I provided a once-off grant scheme of between €1,000 and €4,000 for TidyTowns committees last November. Over €1.3 million was provided to 900 Tidy Towns Committees to spend on improving their communities and I have no doubt that this investment had a significant positive impact on communities throughout the country.”
This year’s competition will also see the addition of the Schools Award, an initiative run by SuperValu that aims to encourage schools in communities across the country to get involved with their local TidyTowns committee and play a part in building better communities. The award aims to encourage greater youth involvement with TidyTowns initiatives, and primary or secondary schools that showcase a significant contribution to their local community are invited to enter this year for the first time.
The closing date for receipt of entries for this year’s competitions is 23rd May. Entry forms for the SuperValu TidyTowns competition can be obtained from the TidyTowns Unit in the Department of Rural and Community Development – phone (076 100 6912) or by visiting www.tidytowns.ie or www.supervalu.ie. For entry to the Special Competitions please download your entry form at www.tidytowns.ie.
Volunteers across Ireland who want to get involved or set up a TidyTowns Committee can find more information at: www.supervalu.ie/real-people/sponsorship/tidytowns/how-to-get-involved