Tallaght Tidy Towns volunteers ‘blown away’ by community support

VOLUNTEERS from Tallaght Tidy Towns have been “blown away” by the community support they have received as the Tidy Towns Competition judging process is underway.

The judges operate in a ‘mystery shopper’ format and visit areas anonymously in July and August to assess their cleanliness and the work of Tidy Towns volunteers.

This year marks the first year that Tallaght Tidy Towns has entered the competition, as the group has only been in existence since June last year after being set up by Tallaght Community Council (TCC).

Tallaght Tidy Towns holds weekly cleaning sessions in Tallaght village, typically on Wednesdays, but it’s not uncommon for volunteers to carry out smaller clean-ups in the area individually too.

“We have been blown away by the support,” said Tara De Buitléar from TCC.

“It has built and grown stronger week on week since last summer. The weekly sessions are positive, and everyone has a ‘can do’ attitude.

“Our volunteers tell us that, despite the weather – which has been challenging of late – they always leave feeling good from each session they attend.

Tallaght Community Council volunteers join with AWS staff for a recent Tidy Towns blitz in Tallaght village

“There is a strong sense of accomplishment and job satisfaction from spending one hour in the village with the Tidy Towns group. That feeling of camaraderie is infectious.”

This attitude has been key to the continuing growth of the group, and the volunteers are now keenly awaiting the publication of the Tidy Towns Competition report and score-reveal next September.

“We are in the middle of the judging window right now, so we thank everyone who has helped the Tidy Towns effort,” added the chairperson of TCC, Roderick Smyth.

“Without everyone’s help and commitment, our entry into the competition would not have been possible.”

Objectives achieved by Tallaght Tidy Towns include the installation of hanging baskets, street planters, and window boxes, and, in collaboration with the council, the erection of new street signs.

Along with thanking their volunteers for their assistance, Tallaght Tidy Towns also want to thank local businesses, namely MRA Accountants, Fanagans Funeral Directors, Colm O’Cochlainn Solicitors, and AWS in Communities for their support.

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