Local heroes celebrating after Tidy Towns competition saved

Communities around Co Meath expressed their delight and relief at news that the annual Tidy Towns competition will go ahead next year.

The national competition was cancelled this year, because of Covid-19 concerns and it was feared the 2021 competition could have been shelved.

Minister Heather Humphreys has confirmed the competition will take place next year after concerns were raised that the competition, which has run for more than 60 years, could be lost forever if cancelled for a second year in a row.

Kells Tidy Town's Committee who had missed out on its Diamond Jubilee Celebrations this year, was delighted with the news.

“This is great news. We had planned on celebrating our 60th anniversary this year, but it had to be put on the long finger, so now we can look forward to next year,” said chairman, Brian Curran.

“We are one of the oldest Tidy Towns Committees in the country which is a great achievement and we had planned a number of events to mark this milestone.”

Mr Curran pointed out that the Kells group worked though the year, keeping the town looking well.

“We worked as best we could keeping the place clean. Kells Local Heroes did great work on some of the buildings, a new housing estate has opened which looks well and we have seen shop front improved. It all promises to be very good for next year.

“The Tidy Towns is a great outlet for people. It got people out in the fresh air and is good for mental and physical health.

“We are looking forward to next year and to improving our marks as well as celebrating our anniversary,” Mr Curran said.

Peter Roger of Moynalty Tidy Towns also expressed his delight.

“We were disappointed it didn't go ahead this year but we kept our distance and continued to do what we do every year over the dark and dismal six months.

“Tidy Towns bring a bit of life to the area. We are looking forward to getting it up and going for next year.”

Moynalty has won the National Tidy Towns competition, an all-island competition as well as winning the national tidiest village award on three occasions.

“People are very supportive and all the work we do is voluntary,” said Mr Rogers.

Slane Tidy Towns are also looking forward to next year. Dermot Maguire points out that they continued their work on the village right through the summer.

“We have Jimmy O'Brien who is in his 80s who has done a lot of work for us, for years and years and he is still at it.

“A lot of effort went into keeping Slane looking well this year.

“We get great support from the community and we have a very vibrant committee.

“Next year's competition gives us something to look forward to,” he said.

Brian Heffernan of Trim Tidy Towns said that while a lot of Tidy Towns work can be carried out using social distancing, when people are in large groups working on projects, social distancing seems to be more aspirational rather than something that can be enforced.

“Our volunteers are still working but on a ‘ lone’ working basis whether on small projects or litter picking. We also realise that there are a lot more people home working and are out for walking breaks during the day, so if any of these walkers would like to start litterpicking during these walks, we’d be delighted to supply them with a litterpicker and some gloves – if interested please email brianheffernanifg@gmail.com,” he said.