Mayo town ups the ante in national Tidy Towns drive

To prepare for the upcoming visit by the National Tidy Towns judges to Castlebar in June and July, Castlebar Tidy Towns is launching a competition.

They are asking residents’ associations, businesses, shops, schools, and other community groups to engage in a range of environmental initiatives and programs during this period and enter our competition.

Residents Groups: They are seeking excellence in the presentation and upkeep of your estate, focusing on the cleanliness and tidiness, as well as the maintenance of residents’ homes and gardens.

They want to see how well communal green spaces are maintained, along with the condition of estate signage.

Additionally, attention will be given to the maintenance of boundary walls, fences, and gardens, as well as weed control along kerbs. Bonus points will be granted for projects aligned with sustainable development goals, awareness programmes, sustainability efforts, and climate action initiatives.

Schools: Presentation of school grounds and immediate environs, including weed control.

Can the school “Adopt an Area” for Litter Picking or engage in one environmental project. Does the School participate in the “Green Schools” Programme.

What upgrade or refurbishment has the school undertaken in the past 12 months to make it more presentable.

Has there been any links to sustainable development goals. What Floral displays are visible in the grounds surrounding the school?

Has there been any awareness programmes conducted in past 12 months and any interaction with Nature, Wildlife or Biodiversity projects.

Businesses/Shops: Presentation of shops including upper storeys; lack of clutter at entrance points; floral displays, window boxes and hanging baskets.

Weed control, traditional shop fronts and signage.

Maintenance and appearance of grounds, absence of litter, awareness in-house programmes with staff on the need to reduce waste, segregation of litter; reduction of paper usage, car-pooling and climate action.

There will be first, second and third prizes in each category group to be presented at a special 30th anniversary awards ceremony in November 2024.

To take part simply complete the entry form and return by June 30.

Entrants can provide additional information to supplement the application form, and the use of “Before” and “After” photographs is recommended in all.

For a competition entry form please email Castlebar Tidy Towns at: officialcastlebartidytowns@gmail.com