Ahascragh 1027 - Tidy Towns

Tidy Towns Competition 2012
Centre:
County:
Category:
Ahascragh
Galway
B
Overall Development Approach
The Built Environment
Landscaping
Wildlife and Natural Amenities
Litter Control
Tidiness
Waste Minimisation
Residential Areas
Roads, Streets and Back Areas
General Impression
Overall Development Approach:
Adjudication Report
1027
Your adjudicator would like to welcome Ahascragh to the 2012 TidyTowns Competition and your participation
is important to the competition. Your adjudicator had not visited the village before and the first time visit was a
pleasure. Your committee of fifteen is really large and it is great that you enjoy such good local support. Have
you been in touch with the County Council or the LEADER Partnership to see what support they could offer? It
is suggested that you add text and email to your communications media. For next year can you number all
new projects and key them to your map. The map was not really helpful and a simple hand drawn map would
be fine. The TidyTowns Plan was read with interest and it is suggested that you add the year(s) in which each
project will be implemented together with likely supporting bodies or groups.
The Built Environment:
Maximum
Mark
50
50
50
50
50
30
20
40
50
10
The repainted Fáilte signs looked crisp and clean as did the village name signs. Work on the presentation of
some of the cosmetic buildings impressed, especially where the window and door openings had been infilled.
Work at the church entrance was examined and nearby the GAA area was especially well presented. The
simple materials used at the entrance are so effective. The road boundary wall at the new cemetery looked
very smart. The corrugated iron roof of what appears to be an old Hall or garage would be improved if painted
but do take all safety precautions first. At Texaco a gable wall needed to be painted. Excellent presentation
caught the eye at the Grotto. A number of plastic signs were noted in Ahascragh and these would be so much
more effective if substituted with hand painted signage. Have you considered the provision of any
interpretative material in respect of Ahascragh Mills? The Catholic Church and the small white buildings will
probably need repainting in the next few years but the main church building looked well. At the hall weed
growth in the gutters should be removed to prevent future problems. The road boundary wall at the school
would be improved if painted. The painting on the gable wall here was much admired. The use of the Irish
language on signage is required under present legislation and this should be encouraged where appropriate.
On signage the Irish language must have the primary role.
Ref:
Mark:
Date(s):
Mark
Awarded
2011
34
36
30
12
25
15
5
28
25
7
226
15/06/2012
Mark
Awarded
2012
TOTAL MARK 400 217
226
34
36
32
13
26
17
6
29
26
7

On signage the Irish language must have the primary role.
Landscaping:
New shrubs were noted at the large linear green area on the way to the cemetery. The overall presentation
here is really excellent. Flowers in stone circles under trees were noted in several areas. These detract from
the natural beauty of the tree and are not recommended in environmental terms. Many properties have used
hanging baskets, tubs or window boxes and this adds much colour to Ahascragh. Do make sure that this is
not overdone in the future. Stone raised beds were admired but large tractor tyres as flower containers do not
work in visual terms. Hanging baskets at the bridge were admired also. Your adjudicator reminds the
TidyTowns Committee that the cutting of roadside banks and ditches in the period 1st March to 30th August is
not permitted under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976, incorporating section 46 of the Wildlife (Amendment)
Act 2000.
Wildlife and Natural Amenities:
The Nature Walk on Church Avenue is a really nice area to spend a little time and stone walls here were
admired. Good luck with the wildlife habitat projects that you are planning. Have you considered the
development of a Wildlife Trail that could be combined with a Heritage Trail?
Litter Control:
Having a voluntary group to handle litter issues is progressive and practical. Good luck with the search for a
Bring Bank location. The relocated Bring Centre seems to be working very well. Litter control was found to be
excellent. You got an excellent response to the poster competition and the entries were examined with great
interest.
Tidiness:
Hopefully the unused pole in Church Street issue will be resolved. The painting of field gates is a good project
but a uniform approach to colour is strongly recommended. At the bottom of Church Avenue two timber gates
on the left need to be treated. The broken Brookside sign across from the Mills should be removed.
Waste Minimisation:
Your promotion of green issues in the Newsletter is commended. This category is about reducing the amount
of waste generated in Ahascragh each year. A simple local survey of public buildings and businesses is
suggested to see where saving can be achieved. How is the school progressing in the Green Flag
Programme?
Residential Areas:
The liaison with local residents is essential and it is good to see that you are doing this on an ongoing basis.
Some good colour use was noted on private houses including the building at the Post Office. Many house
owners have made a great effort to provide some landscaping and this makes a positive difference to the
village.
Roads, Streets and Back Areas:
The Porte approach road gives a good first impression of Ahascragh. Stone walls and interesting stone
features mark Church Avenue as somewhere special. On the Killconnell approach stone walls and trees
provide an attractive approach to Ahascragh.
General Impression:
Ahascragh is an interesting village and you should have good potential to progress in the Competition. While
much emphasis has been placed by the Committee on landscaping equal work and effort should extend to all
other categories in the years ahead. Good luck with your projects in the year ahead.