Pride of Place Competition judging this week

Westmeath County Council invites community and voluntary groups to apply for different awards and grants each year under the Cathaoirleach Awards and Grant Scheme.

One of the schemes they advertise is the Westmeath Pride of Place Competition, which is linked to a national competition. 

The all-island Pride of Place competition was created to support local authorities in Ireland, North and South, to recognise communities who are proud to live in their localities.

It gives communities and interest groups an opportunity to showcase the work they carry out together, to explain whey their area is the best and most wonderful place to live in.

Judges come in a team of two people comprising an ex-county manager from the Republic of Ireland and an ex-county manager from Northern Ireland, and they view each group separately.

Ballinalack Tidy Towns and Killucan Rathwire Tidy Towns applied for and were successful in winning the Westmeath Pride of Place competition, and were nominated by Westmeath County Council to represent the county in the All Island National Pride of Place Competition 2018.

Westmeath Age Friendly Council applied for and were also successful in this competition.

Judging in the competition takes place this week:

Westmeath Age Friendly Programme, Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar, Wednesday August 22, 10am.

Killucan Rathwire Raharney, GAA Community Centre, Killucan, Wednesday August 22, 2.30pm.

Ballinalack Tidy Towns, Ballinalack, Thursday August 23, 10am.

Noel Leavy, Geraldine Lynott and Billy Gough from the Killucan, Raharney and Rathwire Pride of Place committee.

Back row: Alex Burke (resident), Des Cawley (co-ordinator), Peter Maguire (Bunbrosna GAA), Cllr Brian Crum and Greg Hope (Ballinalack Tidy Towns chairman). Front: Annette Jordan (Westmeath County Council), Grace Dowler (Ballinalack Tidy Towns treasurer), Mairead White (resident) and Valerie Molloy (Bunbrosna GAA) at a Pride of Place rehearsal.