Making Swords a better place to live
STT members Matt Cullen and George Mongey are currently assisting Meakstown Community Council to set up their own Tidy Towns group. On August 24th there was an event to celebrate all that was good in the area. Matt and George were invited to join the group’s celebration at the Mansion House. The Lord Mayor of Dublin Paul McAuliffe, and several local politicians and councillors were in attendance.
Swords Tidy Estate Winners Announced
Swords Tidy Towns, in conjunction with Greyhound Household, has announced the winners of this year’s tidy estates competition. Joint Winners are Carlton Court and Knocksedan Demesne. Highfields came 2nd and St. Andrews 3rd. A total of 15 estates entered the competion this year. Additionally,Balintrane Woods, Glebe Hill , Glen Allen/Sandford Woods and Rivervalley Lawn won badges of merit.
The scoring out of a possible 90 points was:
Carlton Court and Knocksedan Demesne -85
Highfields -80
St. Andrews -79
Balintrane Wood -76
Glebe Hill -72
Glen Ellen/Sandford Woods -71
Rivervalley Lawns -71
Bunbury Gate -70
Comyn Manor -68
Rivervalley Rise -68
Hilltown Lawn -65
Drynam Hall Estate -62
Seatown Villas -60
Ashley Estate -56
The winners receive €250 each, plus a free skip and a winners plaque.
Second receives a free skip and plaque.
Third receives a free skip and plaque.
Those who won a badge of merit receive a plaque.
Ken Duffy, Chair of Swords Tidy Towns, described this year’s entries as incredible. “We saw an enormous improvement in the presentation of the estates compared to last year with all making a huge effort to improve common areas and gardens. We found it impossible to separate the joint winners. This is a very important competition for us in terms of the overall national competition. Swords won a silver medal last year and the estates competition should help us improve on that. Congratulations to all.”
John Brosnan, Managing Director of Greyhound Group said: “We have run several Tidy Estates competitions around Dublin and the standard in Swords is of the highest order. We know how much hard work and effort the Swords Tidy Towns committee puts in and it’s no surprise that Swords is scoring very highly in the national competition. Congratulations to all the entries and we hope to welcome more estates into the competition next year”.
Representatives of Fingal Horticultural Society and STT had the difficult task of choosing the best entries from the Best Business Frontage competition. Standards were very high, and there was an increased number of entries. On Wednesday and Thursday this week the gold, silver and bronze certificates were presented to the relevant businesses. Local traders expressed their delight of having their hard work and creativity recognised by the community.
As reported by George Mongey
The Fingal Horticultural Society Annual Show 2019 took place on Bank Holiday Monday 5th August in St Colmcilles GFC, Glen Ellen Road, Swords.
There were Seven Categories; Flowers, Pot Plants, Flower Arranging, Fruit, Vegetable, Cookery and Hobbies which were then divided down into a number of different Classes. 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prizes were awarded for each class as well as a number of Special Prizes including the FHS CLARKE PERPETUAL CUP – Business Frontage(Winners – Wrights Bar)plus Gold Certificate and the SWORDS TIDY TOWNS PERPETUAL CUP- Best Window Display (Winner – Vincents) plus Gold Certificate”
Fingal Horticultural Society present a trophy at their annual show to the business in Swords with the most attractive floral display. STT share their aim to improve and revitalise the appearance of businesses on the main streets of our town. Over the past few years some of our members have helped the society by approaching businesses with entry forms. This year the STT committee decided to present a new perpetual trophy for the best business front window display. This inaugural trophy was presented to St. Vincent de Paul charity shop at Castle shopping centre on August 5th 2019.
Tidy Estates Competition
In August 2018 we ran our inaugural Tidy Estates Competition, it was sponsored by Greyhound Household. We were delighted to see that 14 estates entered the competition; this was a very good response for the first one.
The competition was judged by two STT volunteers and one member of Greyhound Household. Estates received marks for the upkeep of common areas (50%) and Houses and Gardens (50%)
The winning estate was Highfields who received €500 for use on common areas, a free skip and a plaque to display at the entrance to their estate. They were closely followed by Glen Ellen and Sandford Woods in second place and Ballintrane Wood in third place who both received a free skip.
It was a great success as it really brought communities together, in fact we have received high praise from two of the estates who entered. Carlton Court thought is was a great way to meet the neighbours, make new friends, have some fun and do some good while doing so. Ballintrane Woods tell us that the estate became really united at the time of the Tidiest Estates competition and they are eagerly awaiting this year’s competition.
We are delighted to say that Greyhound has agreed to sponsor the 2019 Tidiest Estates competition. Estates will receive marks this year for the upkeep of common areas (40%); gardens (30%) and house exteriors (30%). Prizes will be the same as 2018 . Our resident’s liaison tells us that there is a lot more interest this year and to expect more entries!
Swords Tidy Towns won the National Tidy Towns Diversity Award in 2017 in recognition of the wonderful diversity within our group. Two of our members, Mary Maxwell and Matt Cullen, designed a new inclusiveness sculpture to celebrate this win and to acknowledge that this diversity has continued to grow since then.
On Tuesday evening July 30, 2019 the completed project was finally launched. Despite the showery weather, spirits were high as members of the group and local guests and dignitaries gathered at the site close to the Malahide Roundabout , and huddled under shared umbrellas. Fingal County Council was represented by CEO Ann Marie Farrelly, Mayor Eoghan O’Brien and Councillors Darragh Butler and Joe Newman.
Our chairman, Ken Duffy, gave a speech in which he acknowledged the successful cooperative efforts of Swords Tidy Towns, Fingal County Council and members of the Swords community. He thanked Colin Rigney and the Fingal Operations Department, and the volunteers of STT for all their efforts. He also acknowledged the advice given by Martin Nulty and Martin Tully in regard to the choice of plants and how best to plant them. He thanked the 164th Brackenstown Bobcats cubs, who joined us for planting one Saturday morning.
Ken thanked those involved in the making of the Inclusiveness sculpture. Mary Maxwell and Matt Cullen came up with the concept, and Billy McClean worked with them to install the sleepers. Colourtrend Swords advised on the choice of staining. Lindsey Balfe, a teacher at St Finians Community College cut out all of the letters and made the logos for the sleepers.
Speeches acknowledging the successful cooperative efforts of Swords Tidy Towns and Fingal Operations Department were given by Ann Marie Farrelly, (CEO), and Mayor Eoghan O’Brien who then cut the ribbon.
The celebration continued in Wright’s Bar over finger food, coffee, tea and a drop of something stronger.
On July 19th STT were invited to the launch of the Swords Town Park well along with members of Fingal County Council Operations Department. The Mayor of Fingal declared it open.
On June 29th 2019, George Mongey and Matt Cullen attended the annual Flavors of Fingal County Show. This is a two day event showcasing agricultural produce with fun events for all the family. It all takes place within the historic walled garden of Newbridge House and Farm in Donabate. Our two STT members were on hand to promote our group. They were invited by Fingal Horticultural Society to share their allocated display area.
Swords Tidy Towns 