This article is from page 15 of the 2006-08-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
JUDGES for the Tidy Towns competition were expected in Ennis over the weekend to see if the town has maintained the high standards it set last year.
While no advance warning of the committee’s arrival is given, adjudicators have visited the town on the August Bank Holiday weekend in previous years. Last year Ennis was named the tidiest town in Ireland but competition rules state that Ennis cannot win the overall award again this year. The Ennis Tidy Towns Committee hope though that Ennis can defend its title of Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town.
The total points awarded to Ennis has increased every year since 1998. The total then was 240 and last years winning tally was 279 points from a possible 300. In 2001 Ennis was named the tidiest large town and in 2002 it received a gold medal in the European Entente Florale Award.
Chairman of the Ennis Tidy Town’s Committee, Donal Griffin is upbeat about Ennis’ chances in the upcoming competition.
“We have no warning but experience would say that they (judges) would usually visit around the August Bank Holiday weekend. You can’t win the big award two years in a row but we would hope to win again in the large town category. It is probably fair that you can’t because there are around 20 towns that could win it every year”
Mr Griffin who has been Chairman for 12 years, said the committee are pleased with preparations so far and praised the efforts of residents associations and the local business community.
“You see a huge amount of people out and residents associations have been very proactive in looking after their own patch. I was around town last week and there was shopkeepers tending flowers at 8pm so I think people have really taken to the competition. Ennis Town Council of course also play a substantial role and the Friary and the Cathedral have also been very helpful providing information in newsletters”
Since being named Ireland’s tidiest town other accolades have fopllowed. Earlier this year President Mary McAleese visited the town to pay tribute to the massive community effort and unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion.
“The visit of the President was a major highlight. Ennis has had massive exposure on local, national and international media, its been great from a public relations point of view its been great. People have also embraced environmental issues and have shown real pride in their town”
The final results of the competition will be announced at a ceremony in Dublin castle on September 4.