Community Council aims to enter village in Tidy Towns

TALLAGHT Community Council launched a Tallaght Village Tidy Towns group last Summer, with a target of entering the 2023 competition.

Seven months on and the results are obvious and this target is well on track.

The Tallaght Tidy Towns group has achieved a lot in the first six months of activity.

Some of the highlights include: – Holding 60+ clean up events over 30 weeks; Racking up over 500 volunteering hours to date; Removing over 150 large bags of rubbish; Planted over 2,000 pollinator bulbs; Raised heritage profile visibly in the village; new Des Carty mural and Talbots Leap sign on Main St; Installed and maintained 21 street planters;

Harvest rain water for the street planters; Attracted volunteers from diverse backgrounds and abilities; Offer a welcoming and inclusive ethos; Partnered with South Dublin County Council to improve pedestrian accessibility in the village; Secured two new litter bins; Held several Grafitti blitzes on the utility boxes; Hosted 4 x TY students to complete their community work.

The Tidy Towns 2023 competition opens in May, with judging in June and July.

The areas included in the Tallaght Village Tidy Towns are, Main St, Main Rd, Newtown, TUD Tallaght, Westpark, the Whitestown Stream and Goose Park.

Litter picking along the bypass

“There are 10 public litter bins in the village area.

“We would like to see more retailer and food producers provide bins that allow customers recycle green and brown waste outside their premises.

“That would be very helpful,” Said Liz Kennedy, Chair of TCC.

“Take away drink containers and cigarette butts are by far the largest source of litter collected by the volunteers on a weekly basis.

“People often don’t regard cigarette butts as litter.

“Butts don’t break-down and contain damaging chemicals.

“More cigarette bins are needed outside many village businesses for staff and customers to help reduce that litter.”

To continue preparations for their application, TCC will be launching a “Business Tidy Towns Pledge” in February.

This will allow local businesses take positive action individually to help tackle litter, grafitti and the weekly volunteer efforts.

A rising tide lifts all boats and a more attractive village area will benefit residents, biodiversity and businesses alike.

Tallaght Village Tidy Towns said a fond farewell to Sarah Hourihan (pictured in front with black gloves), Coordinator of the National Learning Network, based in Hayes House on the High Street last week.

Sarah was a regular Wednesday volunteer with her group from the Wednesday Network club with the Tidy Towns in recent months.

She has relocated back home to Co Limerick. If you are interested in hearing more about the Tallaght Village Tidy Towns, simply drop along to the Wednesday – 12.30pm or Sunday – 12 noon meetings. The meeting place is the Victor’s statue outside Café Aon Scéal, Main St. Follow TCC on social media channels for weekly updates.