Doubling efforts to keep the town tidy

Navan's performance in the National Tidy Towns competition next year should be phenomenal - after two separate Tidy Towns groups set up in the town in the past fortnight.

Local councillor Francis Deane launched the Navan Municipal District Tidy Towns Group three weeks ago, while local election candidate, Madeline Thornton launched her group just last week, although the inaugural meeting had been publicised for some time.
Both Cllr Deane and Ms Thornton have now indicated that they are willing to work together to improve the town.
Cllr Deane said he had been working with a lot of groups in the town over the past few years.
“Since we longer have a town council, there hasn't been much structure,” he said.
“I hadn't been aware of the other meeting. I believe it was mainly publicised on Facebook, but I'm not a member.
“I will be quite happy to work with the other group,” he said.
Ms Thornton explained that it was only after she held her public meeting last week, she learned of the other groups existence.
“I had already been in contact with Meath Partnership and Supervalu,” she said.
“I think the best thing now is for us all to work together.” 
Ms Thornton's meeting took place St Mary’s Community Centre on Tuesday, 5th February and a plan of works, urgent priorities and short, medium, and long-term objectives were discussed and set out.
“The spirit of civic pride in Navan was very evident and a frank exchange of ideas and plans were initiated. To this end further public meetings are planned to advance the groups plans and objectives.”
Those present requested that the community in all of Navan show support by liking the Facebook page created and joining the group page created by Madeleine Thornton.  
Madeleine Thornton was unanimously elected as Chairperson, while John Finegan was elected as secretary, Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons was elected as treasurer, Cllr Wayne Forde was elected as fundraiser, Marta Nash was elected Meath Partnership Liaison Co-Ordinator and Joan Leech as Schools Liaison Co-ordinator.
Two weeks earlier a  large number of community groups, several representatives of housing estates, and members of Navan's business community gathered to form and elect a Navan Municipal District Tidy Towns Committee.
Cllr Francis Deane was elected chairman while the secretary is Marta Nash and the treasurers are Gene Coyne and Jimmy Mangan.
Cllr Deane said the group has agreed on a creative, yet realistic, three year plan.