Getting to know Ireland’s TidyTowns competition
Here at Amberol we like to keep up to date with all competitions and initiatives that have been put in place which run for the good of the community and environment. Every year new initiatives are created to solve current issues, but long-standing favourites remain that continually help to improve local environments.
One of the most long-standing competitions is TidyTowns, a competition that takes place in Ireland and which has been running since 1958.
What is TidyTowns?
TidyTowns is an annual competition that involves towns and villages across Ireland being rated on all aspects of their local environment. The competition is open to all communities in the country, large or small. Each settlement is entered into a category fit for their respective population.
Participating areas are judged on aspects of their local environment such as wildlife, tidiness, and sustainability. Those that enter generally do so to generate interest about the environment in their community and create a solid platform on which to raise issues with the relevant authorities.
It is just as much a development programme as it is a competition.
How is TidyTowns judged?
There are a total of 450 points available for each town and villages entry. This total is divided between specific criteria: Community Involvement & Planning, Built Environment & Streetscape, Landscaping & Open Spaces, Wildlife, Habitats & Natural Amenities, Tidiness & Litter Control, Sustainable Waste & Resource Management, Residential Streets & Housing Areas, and Approach Roads, Streets & Lanes.
As you can probably tell, the competition shares similarities with the popular Britain in Bloom. And just like with Britain in Bloom, participants look to Amberol for help in providing self-watering planters, litter bins, planterware and furniture such as benches and picnic tables that help towards their entry, whether practical or visually-appealing.
How we’ve helped TidyTowns entrants
The residents of Castleconnell, a village on the banks of the River Shannon in Ireland, have long taken pride in the appearance of their village. For over 30 years the village has taken part in TidyTowns.
The village has been using Amberol products for seven years. Castleconnell’s TidyTowns committee describes Amberol products as “efficient, sustainable and high quality”. The latest addition to their growing list of Amberol planterware products were cup and saucer self-watering planters.
The village won the 2015 Going for Gold competition, an initiative that aims to make the county of Limerick a cleaner and brighter place to live, work and visit. On top of this, the village consistently performs well in the TidyTowns competition.
There are many criteria for judging, but to succeed entries need excel in each category. By investing in high-quality planterware, Castleconnell shows their commitment to maintaining an attractive village. As John Hardiman, Castleconnell TidyTowns committee member explains: “We run many activities around TidyTowns but when we set up the planters in June, that’s the sign to everybody that the competition is really on!”
Help furnishing your village or towns entry
Amberol work with competition entrants from all over the country to help them succeed not only in competitions but to meet their long-term sustainability goals. Find out how we can help to improve your public space here or call us on 01773 830 930.
