Tidy Towns return a 'huge boost to communities' - Burke

(Above) Minister of State Peter Burke.

The return of the Supervalu Tidy Towns Competition will be a "huge boost to communities across Westmeath", Minister of State Peter Burke has said.

Minister Burke was speaking after the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys announced that 29 Tidy Town groups in Westmeath have now been awarded grants of up to €1,000 under the Tidy Towns Fund.

Minister Burke said: “The return of the Supervalu Tidy Towns Competition will be a huge boost to communities across the county, many of whom locally I know have kept up the great work throughout the pandemic to keep their neighbourhoods clean, despite the cancellation of the competition due to Covid.

“From Mullingar to Milltownpass, to Tubberclair to Ballinagore, our communities are looking fantastic as the summer approaches and I am glad to see that these voluntary groups continue to receive modest government support.

“A total of Tidy Town Groups in Westmeath have now been awarded grants of up to €1,000 under the Tidy Towns Fund announced by my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD.

“The 2021 competition will take place in the same format as previous years, with the overall winners due to be announced before the end of the year. However special arrangements have been put in place to allow the competition to go ahead safely, with a specific emphasis on electronic entry and remote adjudication of each town’s entry.

“The health and safety of volunteers is a priority and groups should continue to adhere to public health guidelines as they have done so remarkably well since the onset of the pandemic.

“To reward the continued efforts of volunteers throughout the pandemic, Minister Humphreys has introduced a new award category aimed at groups that have continued to serve and look after their communities despite the difficulties posed by Covid-19.

“There is also a special new prize for young people, which was committed to under Our Rural Future – ­the Government’s ambitious new strategy for Rural Ireland.

“I encourage everyone who cares about their community in to get involved in the competition. This year’s closing date is Friday July 2 with results expected to be announced in quarter four of this year.”

“You can check out TidyTowns.ie for all the information you need. Entry forms will be emailed to all registered groups and can also be obtained from the TidyTowns Unit in the Department of Rural and Community Development, phone 076 100 6912, or by emailing tidytowns@drcd.gov.ie ,” Minister Burke concluded.

Launching the 2021 Supervalu Tidy Towns Competition, Minister Humphreys said: “Missing out on the competition last year was very disappointing for everyone associated with TidyTowns. That’s why I am delighted to announce that this iconic competition is back.

“As we look ahead to an outdoor summer and staycations, we want our local towns and villages right across the country to be attractive, welcoming places. The trojan work carried out by our local Tidy Towns volunteers will be central to achieving that. My message is clear - Tidy Towns is back this year and it is bigger, better and more important than ever.”