West Limerick Resources - "Committed to the Community"

Tidy Towns Training Session

As Tidy Towns season rapidly approaches, local groups are being offered the opportunity to take part in a special one evening training programme aimed at exploring the Wildlife and Natural Amenities category of the competition.  Scheduled to take place on Monday next, May 9^th in Newcastle West, the unique event will feature a range of speakers including Tidy Towns Adjudicator and well known wildlife expert Eanna Ni Lamhna, Billy Flynn of the Irish Wildlife Trust and local heritage specialist Geoff Hunt.

The event will kick off at 7.30pm in the Demesne (starting from the Community Centre) with a short guided nature walk led by Geoff Hunt who will highlight to groups the kinds of issues and habitats which they should take into consideration when undertaking Tidy Towns activities. Geoff will also provide all participants with a draft Biodiversity Plan for Tidy Towns groups which can be used as a guide to develop initiatives under the Wildlife and Natural Amenities category.

The second element of the evening will begin in the Courtenay Lodge Hotel shortly after 8.30pm. Billy Flynn of the Irish Wildlife Trust will outline to groups the appropriate methods for carrying out Wildlife Surveys with particular emphasis on getting local schools and other community groups involved in such activities.  Following on from this, Eanna Ni Lamhna will provide specific training on the Wildlife and Natural Amenities category from the perspective of a Tidy Towns Adjudicator, along with examining the potential of the special awards categories such as the "Biodiversity-Notice Nature Award", "The Sustainable Development Award" and the "Tree Project Award".   She will also emphasise the value of having a multi-annual wildlife plan along with looking at the importance of increasing biodiversity through planting suitable for wildlife and the installation of bat/bird boxes and insect "hotels". Throughout her training session she will also explore examples of best practice projects from around the country which could easily be implemented locally. 

Speaking in advance of the event Suzanne Rowley of West Limerick Resources commented, "There is an excellent line up, with a variety of speakers that will appeal to anyone who cares for their local area and environment." Continuing she said, "Feedback from training conducted with Tidy Towns Groups in 2010 was overwhelmingly positive.  Six additional communities took part in the Competition in 2010, while the points awarded to annual participants increased by 76 from 2009, averaging five points per community.  This is a positive reflection on the hard work and dedication of local Tidy Towns Committies who play an essential role in making our communities more attractive places to live, work and visit." 

The Tidy Towns competition is a national competition organised by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which has been running in Ireland since 1958.  Last year West Limerick Resources began an initiative aimed at supporting local participating communities and encouraging new entrants into the competition.  Following a large turnout to a Village Enhancement Training Evening in February, thirteen communities went on to take part in a four night training programme which offered support to develop three year Tidy Towns plans.  Additional funding and support continues to be available under the Rural Development Programme to develop eligible projects. 

The Wildlife and Natural Amenities Training Evening is open to all Tidy Towns groups, Community Councils, Development Associations, Residents' groups or any member of the public who take an interest in their surrounding environment and local wildlife conservation.  Those interested in attending are asked to contact Suzanne at West Limerick Resources on 069 79114 or email srowley@wlr.ie

 

Posted on 05/05/2011 by Suzanne Rowley, Information Officer