Tidy Towns

2004 Results

Caring for our Environment

Category B

TIDY TOWNS RESULTS	Maximum Mark	Mark Awarded 2004	Mark Awarded 2003	Mark Awarded 2002
Overall Developmental Approach	50	39	37	36
The Built Environment	40	31	29	28
Landscaping	40	32	31	30
Wildlife and Natural Amenities	30	20	20	20
Litter Control	40	31	30	29
Tidiness	20	18	16	15
Residential Areas	30	21	20	19
Roads, Streets and Back Areas	40	27	26	26
General Impression	10	8	7	6
TOTAL MARKS	300	227	216	209

2004

Comments
Overall Developmental Approach:

We note that your Committee has now grown to seventeen and the results of this additional support are to be seen around the village. The well completed entry form and excellent sketch map were very informative and helpful on the day. Thank you also for copy of the Plan for Ballynacally which you launched during the year and from which we quote your excellent mission statement " Actively support the local community to organise and develop their capacity to effectively respond to identified needs and problems, and to promote a spirit of community service in working for the common good where every voice is heard". The Strategies as set out in the Plan from 1 -13 are all relevant and we wish you well with implementation of same in the years ahead. Even though there will be some deviations from the Plan, which happened this year, your overall targets have been identified and this will focus your efforts for the future.

The Built Environment:

Most business premises in the village were looking well and contributing to the Tidy Towns effort. The derelict building in the centre of the village is well disguised but a long term solution needs to be found for this problem in the future. The Post Office building needed some attention and the plastic signage here is out of character with the rest of the village. The School presented a neat and tidy appearance. It was good to note painting work taking place at a premises in the village during our visit. There are a great many stone walls on the approach roads and in the village of Ballynacally and these were all looking well on the day of adjudication (one was being rebuilt opposite the Post Office).
Whilst there was no great evidence of ivy on these walls at present it would be important that this situation would not be allowed to occur in the future.

Landscaping:

As well as the painting and wall building work mentioned, people were also watering the plant containers and gardening in the village which indicates a good community spirit. This was also obvious through the landscaping on the approach roads; at the shrine; in the fairgreen and throughout the village where all planting was well maintained and weed free. New tree planting was also noted which will leave a legacy for future generations. The metal poles/brackets used for hanging baskets are nicely designed. In the case of containers for flowers, stone, wood or metal is preferable to plastic. Your two main projects for 2004 - the provision of a garden at one of the entrances to the village and also the "Rose lovers bench" riverside development were viewed and admired. However, in the case of the Rose lovers bench area, the unattractive heavy metal fencing used here spoils this amenity. In the same way, the type of metal fencing used on the riverside pathway to St Martin's Blessed Well and the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto also rather spoils this area, which is a pity as providing access to these religious sites is very worthwhile. We note that you plan to undertake a general clean up of the river in the future.

Wildlife and Natural Amenities:

All the planting in and around the village contributes under this category and we note that you plan to encourage bird life by the river. Any future planting could also be geared to providing food for birds in the winter months.

Litter Control:

There was no litter to be seen in Ballynacally on the day - well done to all concerned.
The strategic placing of litter bins was noted and also the recycling containers, discreetly positioned at the Fairgreen.

Tidiness:

The approaches and the village mostly looked neat and tidy with kerbs weed free throughout.

Residential Areas:

Private houses in and around the village were well maintained, some with very attractive gardens. One of the houses at the Council Estate has been painted yellow. Could this trend continue with the other houses blending in to provide a colour statement in that part of the village?

Roads, Streets and Back Areas:

The main road surface was good but road verges were poor in a number of places. Signage was mostly well maintained throughout.

General Impression:

There is a vibrant community spirit in Ballynacally which augurs well for the future. We look forward to seeing you progress in the years ahead.

2003

Comments

Overall Development Approach:

Thank you for your detailed and informative submission. You have done well for a committee of 10 people. You should still consider a more comprehensive 3/5 year plan. This would provide a working plan and could be carried out on a phased basis. Such a plan should have the approval and most of all the active commitment of the community. Now that the village is expanding its population you will have an opportunity to recruit more members to your group. If people are invited to participate they will respond favourably.

The Built Environment:

You have some very attractive buildings in the village centre and the old school is now a valuable resource. The church is still in need of landscaping. The buildings mentioned last year look well and Griffins is very well presented, with a good display of flowers in the environs. The old petrol pump is now an eyesore. The buildings around the landscaped area are attractive and the variety of colour here should be maintained.

Landscaping:

Again the village core is very well landscaped and presented to a high standard. The grotto provides a very good introduction to the village and it has a good selection of flowers and shrubs. The many pockets of well landscaped open spaces are adding to the standard of the village and you should continue this policy, provided you are not neglecting previous developments. Well done to all the residents and commercial operators who display window boxes and hanging baskets. The new rose bed planting on the approach from Kildysart is attractive an there is a good display of grass cutting here also.

Wildlife and Natural Amenities:

The river continues to offer you potential for promoting wildlife. You should pick out an appropriate river bank location and mount a display board that would illustrate the prevalent wildlife in the area.

Litter Control:

The litter control is good and bins seem adequate in numbers throughout the village. The recycling depot at the old school is well located and well presented.

Tidiness:

You have improved in this category and the village, apart from some dereliction was quite tidy on adjudication day. Tidiness extends to approach roads and the presentation of open spaces.

Residential Areas:

The new housing scheme offers you scope for improvement and residents should be encouraged to join in the spirit of the Tidy Towns. The existing housing estate needs a bilingual sign and some of the boundary walls needs painting. In general residents are playing their part in keeping your marks up. Some excel in presentation and this is praiseworthy. The broken wall opposite An Post needs repair.

Roads, Streets & Back Areas:

Footpaths are good in and around the village and the road structure is generally good. Kilchreest Cemetery is well presented. The Cranny approach is poor and needs the grass trimmed. New developments should reflect the total character of the village. The houses opposite the school are well presented but the school mural now needs refurbishment.

General Impression:

The village was well presented and the treatment of the green square is unusual. Continue with a policy of strong colours – extending to farm gates and other traditional features. Good luck for 2004.

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