Moynalty refuses to relinquish its iron grip on Tidy Towns accolade

MOYNALTY collected its 14th consecutive county Tidy Towns award and a Gold Medal as the 2008 results of the national awards were announced - but competition is hotting up across Meath to depose the north meath village with five other centres achieving over 250 marks and Trim"s 25 extra earning it both a highly commended accolade and a Bronze Award. The 50th annual awards, announced in Dublin on Monday night, featured 18 Meath centres, all of which added marks to the previous year"s total. Moynalty"s 299 was three higher than last year and just four behind national winner, Westport. However, Trim's spectacular increase was exceeded by Hill of Down/Killyon, whose 41 extra marks brought it to 214 and the county"s Endeavour Award. It was all the more impressive given last year"s recommendation from its adjudicator that the two centres compete separately. Athboy won the regional Bailte le Gaeilge award, while Duleek Boys" National School received the national and midlands-east schools award, while Kilskyre NS took the regional Green Schools initiative title. Moynalty TT committee chairman Peter Rogers was very pleased with the village"s extra marks and the Gold Medal, especially as Moynalty finished a single mark behind last year"s winner, Aughrim. 'There are 23-24 gold or top competitor centres there, all vying for the national title. The competition is that tight, year on year, and we"re delighted to get three more points. Now we face the beginning of the village sewerage scheme works, the under-grounding of our power lines and work on footpaths. We"ve already started on Tidy Towns 2009,' Mr Rogers said. He felt confident the new works would be advanced sufficiently so as not to impact negatively on next year"s adjudication. Almost two dozen villagers travelled to the Burlington Hotel ceremony and the chairman stressed their determination to pursue the national title. They were already looking forward to analysing the adjudicators" detailed report, added their chairman. Trim TT committee chairman Brian Heffernan said yesterday (Tuesday) they were 'delighted' with their Bronze Award. Trim"s history in the national competition has seen it win the national title jointly in 1971, outright the following year and again in 1984. However, the current committee has essentially functioned for the past five years and the payoff was beginning to show, he said. 'We"ve a fair bit to go, but we"re targeting a Silver Award in 2009,' predicted the Trim chairman. They now had the committee structure and the extra marks had been gained especially in the wildlife and walkways category. He praised in particular the work of Noel Rochford and town foreman Anthony Conlon as well as the growing involvement of local schools. 'We"ve a beautiful town to work on and the works in High Street and Loman Street, as well as Navangate, will be completed in time for next year. This is a great boost,' Mr Heffernan added. Tributes to the county"s successful candidates in this year"s Tidy Towns competition were led this week by Transport Minister Noel Dempsey. He congratulated Moynalty, Athboy and Trim as well as Duleek and Kilskyre National Schools on winning their awards, adding that he felt Trim"s Bronze Medal was 'very deserving'. Fantastic work had been done not alone in the leading centres but throughout the county, whose communities were greatly benefiting from the impact of TT committee volunteers, the minister added. There were fulsome praises sung, too, by adjudicators in the first reports on the county"s entrants published following Monday night"s awards ceremony in Dublin. Moynalty secured 47 marks out of a maximum 50 for overall development; 39 (out of 50) for built environment, 41 (50) for landscaping, 32 (50) for wildlife and natural amenities, 41 (50) for litter control, eight (20) for waste minimisation, 17 (30) for tidiness, 27 (40) for residential areas, 38 (50) for roads, street and back areas and nine out of 10 for general impression. The report stated the 'clear enthusiasm of your (Moynalty) committee and the support of your community is boundless'. The new fountain and sculpture was 'splendid' while the Mullagh Road wall work was 'a remarkable restoration job'. The Borora river walk was 'truly delightful' while the Catholic Church and its Hallow Tree grotto were very well presented. Other premises to earn praise were the credit union, McCabe"s, McCormack"s, the health centre, gate lodge, grocery store, post pffice (described as 'a positive joy') and the Muintir na Tíre hall. The wildlife reintroduction of partridge was 'a major success' as was the related maintenance of eight miles of wild river walk. The adjudicators suggested more community involvement in waste minimisation, suggesting the Race Against Waste programme should be more fully developed locally and in the school. Some public signs needed attention but the very attractive houses at Hillview and near the threshing field greatly added to the overall scene. Some work was needed on the Kingscourt Road but overall approach roads were very well presented, they added. The second visit found Moynalty 'truly immaculate and a spotless village' but the adjudicator suggested some additional tree and shrub planting along the street to take from the drab look outside the summer months.