Tyrrellspass Tidy Towns plan Halloween fancy dress ball

This has been another busy and productive year for Tyrrellspass Tidy Towns, and there was great satisfaction among the volunteers and the community on the performance at the national awards: second place in Westmeath, a Bronze Medal for the third year in a row, plus Highly Commended in the Local Authority Pollinators Award.

These are outstanding achievements, testament to the progressive work of the group each year and just reward for the ongoing support and efforts of the Tyrrellspass community.

Tyrrellspass Tidy Towns has been entering the competition for 65 years; the oldest committee members are nearing their 90th birthday, and there is growing popularity among new residents and young families.

There has been a shift in focus on the national Tidy Towns competition and it is now much more centered on sustainability and the protection and enhancement of biodiversity. That means Tidy Towns volunteers have a more complex set of challenges, and there is a lot of learning, plus expertise that needs to be developed.

Tyrrellspass Tidy Towns has consistently met the challenge, and the results in the village are plain to see, such as a reduced mowing regime, the trialling of short meadows in prominent areas, new pollinator strips and recycled planters.

The Tyrrellspass Sustainable Energy Community was launched in June, and funds granted by the Community Foundation for Ireland were for the development of a community biodiversity action plan. The committee have engaged ecologist Nuala Madigan (Irish Peatland Conservation Council) to carry out a village wide biodiversity survey and prepare the plan.

The community were involved in an awareness day, where Nuala was introduced, the concept of a biodiversity plan explained and the new ‘no weedkillers’ and ‘reduced mowing’ policies discussed. It was also a great day for pupils at St Anne’s NS, and for the Green Committee and TY students at both Rochfortbridge and Kilbeggan secondary schools.

But there is no rest for the wicked: the week after the results were published, the committee were already finalising plans for the incoming year’s calendar, including the AGM to be held in early November.

There is no better way to conclude such a busy year than to celebrate with a repeat of last year’s popular Halloween fancy dress ball, which will be held in Gonoud’s on Sunday October 29 (doors 9pm). With tickets at just €10, a raffle on the night and prizes for the best costumes, it promises to be a night to remember. Tickets available from Gonoud’s or contact Monica Maxwell 087 4134822.