Overall Development Approach
Moyvane is most welcome to the 2011 National TidyTowns Competition. Thank you for the completed entry form, brochure with map of the centre, and fine photographs recording the launch of your ‘Spring Clean Campaign’. The village is very well presented, respecting its rural setting. The approach roads and especially the fine village nameplate and ‘Welcome’ is suitable in scale and presentation. The roadside cottages on the approach helped endorse the feel; the small front facing wall recesses for flowerboxes was an excellent idea near the GAA Grounds and elsewhere. The school grounds were imposing and well presented while the ICA Garden (2010) fashioned and shaped into the figures of a family was very well done. The raised beds and grassed areas were well presented. The memory of Thomas Moore, son of John of this parish was appropriate as was that of Bill Cunningham the leader of the famous Paramarta Rising in Australia of the early 19th Century. The colourful football match mural caught the eye.
The Built Environment
Newtownsands Cooperative (using the old/new name for the village) was exceptionally well presented neat and tidy. The fine imposing Catholic Church standing in its well presented grounds was a delight. The hanging baskets hanging on many poles were admired as was the 1992 Grotto complete with seats on both sides and the stone table to the foreground completing the picture. The Garda Station in its blue and white livery looked very well, pleasant trees augmented the view but the signage is somewhat obscured by branches. While there was a flag pole here no flags were flying on the day of adjudication. We admired the old 1888 national school plaque while Stacks Butchers and Kearney’s also looked well. Nolan’s Bar and Lounge (Speedys) was colourful. The Health Centre and Beauty Salon looked well while the large yellow warehouse on the corner was colourful.
Landscaping
We admired the excellent planting walk which is maturing satisfactorily on the road towards the river. The GAA Grounds looked neat and orderly and the CLG Camogie Club was well painted. The yellow and green quality fencing was very neat and orderly. The mural near Knockanuse junction was very fine. Unfortunately there was evidence at a number of locations of the horrendous damage occasioned by the extreme weather conditions of the recent winter. The delightful painting/mural of the donkey and cart set in the old view of the street viewed at Glen Road corner is a delightful addition to the vista here.
Wildlife and Natural Amenities
In its rural setting Moyvane offers many opportunities for wildlife reserves. In consultation with the school authorities could a small area be set aside within their grounds to enable students to have a close encounter with the birdlife of the area. Discuss the options with the school, with a member of BirdWatch Ireland or with a local wildlife enthusiast. Pride of Place is reserved for the superb River Walk; the gurgling river alongside leading to the well developed former Lime Kiln with its picnic table is a real joy. The significant of the Kiln and also of the Cairn of stones warrants a suitable interpretive sign in this location.
Litter Control
The cooperative efforts of your own members, FÁS workers, local resident associations, school children and Youth Club members continue to impress and improve the annual showing under this section. The An Taisce National Spring Clean is an excellent method of raising awareness about litter and the need to overcome it. Clearly you have used that keynote event to excellent advantage with the cooperation of the Major of Kerry and indeed the Environmental Officer from Kerry County Council. Encouraging wider participation by widespread invitations in shop windows and elsewhere is an excellent way to propagate the message that anti-litter is everyone’s job and in the process secure additional volunteers and committee members. In general on the day of adjudication litter management was of a high order. Disappointingly some discarded soft drink bottles were noted at the road entrance to the Kiln Walk. Litter bins were noted outside the schools.
Waste Minimisation
The primary thrust of this category is to ensure at all become aware of their individual and household role in reducing the extent of waste. The well known slogan -“Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” is a three-part solution to the problem. All too often however the first element Reduction is not given adequate attention. Virtually every household could make significant savings by a more structured approach to their purchases – especially of food. A recent survey suggested that as much as one third of food purchased was never actually consumed but had subsequently to be discarded. Discuss the staging of an information evening with Kerry County Council at which these issues can be explored and practical methods and techniques developed to this end. The success of your Bottle Banks and the significant community use of them ensure that the Recycling aspect is well catered for. The Clothing Bank at the car wash is very accessible and suitably sited.
Tidiness
The Garage and Car Wash featured excellent screening to its left hand side; similar treatment to the right hand side, thus screening the stockpile of used tyres would be a major advance. Elsewhere the fine new wall being built with frequent pillars is a significant advance; perhaps the block work could be pebble dashed or plastered to achieve the optimum advantage. A number of Garages in the centre leave substantial room for enhancement.
Residential Areas
The fine new 10 houses in Ashgrove are well presented, the communal grassed areas and the trees make a delightful picture. The miniature sheep with the most lifelike expressions and features caught the eye and were a real joy. Individual houses along the street were well painted and suitably presented.
Roads, Streets and Back Areas
The road leading to the River Walk has suffered dramatic frost damage which requires close monitoring; hopefully it may come right itself in the coming months. The road signage and street furniture generally were well presented; the speed limit signs were clean and fully visible.
General Impression
There are many agreeable aspects to the presentation of this small rural village. Your success in getting an integrated, community wide approach to the various difficulties is certainly the right course of action. It is evident that your efforts and the TidyTowns principles have been widely accepted and your committee are receiving continuing practical and financial support from the community in general. Please continue your good work. To all involved in this year’s presentation our sincere thanks for a job well done.
