Overall Developmental Approach
Moyvane is welcome to the 2002 Tidy Towns Competition. Thank you for your detailed entry form this year, it made interesting and informative reading. Moyvane is a beautiful village set in lush countryside with scenic views of low hills from the village centre. Both the church spire and mature pine trees, (the latter at the northern entrance in a private garden), are strong visual elements of Moyvane. It is good to note from your submission that the community is aware of its heritage, particularly in relation to local milk being supplied to the co-operative and turf being sourced locally. It is appropriate that this heritage is reflected in the built environment. The village has a strong Tidy Towns Committee of fifteen members and enjoys sponsorship from local business interests and volunteers for the work programme, well done. Congratulations on achieving the co-operation of statutory bodies. The village is being considered for the Wildlife Award and the Inclusive Access Award.
The Built Environment
Most buildings in the village are well presented. Both the new Co-Op and the new Credit Union properties were admired. The school looked well but the church is looking a little weatherstained and may need to be cleaned soon. The Community Hall was reasonably well presented also. The fascia signs on both Holly’s and O’Connors could be upgraded to good effect and the old ‘Guinness’ sign on Joe’s Bar could be refurbished and external lighting supplied to highlight this attractive sign. Weed growth was noted in the gutters and on chimney stacks of some properties. Some roofs, particularly low lying corrugated roofs, need to be refurbished.
Landscaping
Congratulations on the extent of your tree planting programme and, in particular, where trees have been planted along roadside field boundaries. Landscaped car parking areas out the western road at Con Brosnan Park was particularly admired and shrubs and young trees here are establishing themselves well. The small flower display at the nameplate marking the northern entrance to the village looked well but the rubble located to the side should have been removed.
Wildlife and Natural Amenities
Well done on the development of the nature trail and village walk and, in particular, on making this both wheelchair and buggy accessible. Congratulations also on the bog oak artifacts and stack of turf on the grass verge on the eastern (Glin) entrance to Moyvane. It is good to highlight your heritage in this way. Your plans to develop the vacant site adjacent to the school into a wildlife amenity area to include bird tables is appropriate.
Litter Control
Perhaps the weakest litter spot was in Wood Grove Estate. No litter bins were noted here. There was a light scattering of litter elsewhere around the village but not as serious as mentioned above. We look forward to the upgrading of litter bins. Perhaps these could be co-ordinated with other street furniture such as road signs and lampstandards. You may need to re-think your litter control strategy.
Tidiness
Congratulations on the redevelopment of the derelict site on Main Street. We look forward to similar redevelopment for other derelict sites. A serious problem under this heading is what appears to be an abandoned car on the roadside just before the nameplate at the northern entrance to the village. The premises inside the boundary wall appears to be vacant. Is it possible to relocate the large vehicles from the curtilage area of Lynch’s garage. As noted above, weed growth in gutters and chimney stacks of some buildings looks untidy and suggests neglect.
Residential Areas
Wood Grove Estate was quite littered and no litter bins were noted here. A designated children’s play area should be developed in this area. Some houses and their boundary walls need to be cleaned and / or painted. Some consideration might be given to developing a co-ordinated colour scheme for these houses. As with other cases elsewhere in the village, weed growth was noted in the gutters of one or two. The boundary walls to the single storey properties marking the entrance from the south (just beyond the entrance to the nature trail) need to be cleaned and / or repainted. The majority of houses in the village were well presented and there is a good mixture of single storey, two storey and bungalow type development.
Roads, Streets and Back Areas
The new nameplates look quite well and newly refurbished stone walls were admired. The wirescape was particularly bad on the western entrance to the village, particularly in the environs of the church and school. The church carpark looked well also. Congratulations on the extension of footpaths and further plans for these, also on plans to resurface the road. Well done on resurfacing to date.
General Impression
Moyvane is a pleasant village which has the appearance of being well cared for.
