By Grace Dunne
STT members George; Grace; Matt and Mary together with independent judges, Michael Connolly (Horticultural Society) and Martin Nulty (Tully’s Nurseries) organised this year’s reimagined housing estates competition.
The idea was to move away from the emphasis on “tidiness” and to recognise evidence of community involvement and biodiversity efforts, among other things. Another difference in this year’s competition was the idea of inclusion. Rather than inviting estates to enter the competition, Tidy Towns judges independently visited and judged 84 residential areas in Swords.
Among the 84, we found some hidden gems. The lack of litter among such a large number of homes was a great delight to the judges. 15 residential areas reached the final ( see list below). Prizes and certificates were presented at this years Annual Horticultural Show in Swords on Bank Holiday Monday 5th August. Among the prizes were sustainable items such as wheelie bins clips, suitable for securing green bins on stormy days. This allowed Tidy Towns to support a start up company whilst also promoting litter control.
Our Tidy Towns Chairperson, Ken Duffy, secured sponsorship for this competition, for 5 years, from Member First Credit Union (MFCU). Member First are big on community as are the Tidy Towns all in all a great fit.
1st place: The Nurseries
2nd place: Carlton Court / The Paddocks
3rd place Glen Ellan / Sandford Woods
Special Biodiversity prize: The Nurseries
Remaining finalists, in no particular order:
Glasmore Park — Highfields — Ballintrane Woods — Forest Hills apartments — Comyn Manor — Forest Ave/Dale/Green/Way/Walk — Rivervalley Court/ View/Way — Castlegrange — Lissenhall –Millers Glen/ Meadow Bank — Rivervalley Rise — Hilltown
Swords Tidy Towns 