Voluntary groups such as Tidy Towns Groups, Development Associations, Community Groups and Residents Associations across County Clare have been invited to compete in the ‘Clare in Bloom Competition 2017’.
The annual competition is a motivational mechanism for local groups to enhance the visual impact of their settlements by means of flower, tree and shrub planting.
Cash prizes for the purpose of furthering projects in the local community will be awarded to category winners at Clare County Council’s awards ceremony in October. Sponsorship is this year being provided by ESB Moneypoint and Roche Ireland with matching funding from Clare County Council.
The award criteria for the competition include visual impact, range of planting, litter control and waste management, community involvement, energy initiatives and overall impression.
The competition is based on three population categories. Category 1 caters for towns and villages with a population in excess of 700, Category 2 is for population centres of between 300 and 700 people and Category 3 features villages with a population less than 300.
Judging will take place from mid-July to mid-August.
Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, said the competition “acknowledges the scale of volunteer activity carried out by communities throughout Clare.”
“While Clare County Council is responsible for the delivery of a range of public services, it also has a responsibility to assist residents associations, businesses and voluntary groups to enhancing their local communities. Clare in Bloom is one such vehicle for achieving this and we are delighted to officially recognise those communities and groups that have committed themselves to improving the visual appearance of their localities,” added Mr. Dowling.
Ballynacally Tidy Towns was named Overall Winner of the 2016 Clare In Bloom Competition, while Labasheeda Tidy Towns won the Mayor’s Award. Other winners included Kilrush Tidy Towns (Category 1), Kildysart Tidy Towns (Category 2) and Knock Tidy Village (Category 3).
2017 Clare In Bloom Competition application forms, which may be downloaded from www.clarecoco.ie, must be returned to the Rural Development Directorate, Clare County Council, Arás Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare. Closing date for receipt of applications is 4.00 p.m. on Wednesday 31st May 2017.
Further information on Clare in Bloom is available from www.clarecoco.ie or (065) 6846428.