THE success once again of Westport in the national Tidy Towns competition shows what can be achieved with an entire community pull together for the good of the town.

With the backing of Mayo County Council, Westport Town Council and other state agencies, they were just one point behind the overall winners Abbeyshrule but achieved an additional two points on their 2011 score.

Under chairman Frank Dolan, the Westport group have been trailblazers and are only too happy to advise other Tidy Towns committees on the secret of their success.

Being chosen as the tidiest large town in the country as well as winning the regional and county awards and a gold award makes them the envy of the west.

But it is not without hard work and dedication, and the support of virtually every man, woman and child in Westport, that they continue to dominate the awards.

With the level of national accolades bestowed on the seaside town, no wonder it has been chosen as the best place to live in Ireland.

The level of cooperation between all the tourism related organisations in the town has Westport at the peak of the market.

One of the most deserving accolades was handed down to former committee chairperson Bridie Moran at the awards ceremony when she was named as one of SuperValu’s Tidy Town heroes.

Bridie joined the committee in 1997 and led them to their first national title in 2001. And, of course, they took the overall titles again in 2006 and 2008.

The county town, too, has a lot to be proud of in the competition, having been awarded a bronze medal and increasing their marks by eight.

They achieved these increases in the built environment, landscaping, wildlife and natural amenities, litter control, tidiness, waste minimisation and roads, streets and back areas.

What will be the jewel in the Castlebar crown in future years will be the continued development and enhancement of the Lough Lannagh loop walks.

Murrisk, with a bronze award, and Bonniconlon, with an endeavour award, were highly praised by the adjudicators.

The discipline adopted by all the Tidy Towns committees countywide takes time, dedication and, above all, pride in your town or village.

The regular clean-ups, planting and painting take organisation and leadership, and above all you must have the man/woman power, through volunteers, to achieve this.

All of these workers show pride in their place and full marks to SuperValu for their valued sponsorship of the competition.

Those involved in committees know the work never ends and to achieve additional points they must up the ante each year.

At times it cannot be easy. It would be easier to sit by the TV than don the gloves and head out in the rain to pick up litter. Well done to all.

 

Machnamh na Seachtaine

Weekly Reflection

 

 

Trom an rud an leisce.

Laziness is a load.

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