More than 300 community representatives, supported by local public representatives, were present in the Ferrycarrig Hotel, Wexford, for the annual Wexford County Council Environment Awards.
Cllr Keith Doyle, Chairman, Wexford County Council, warmly welcomed and congratulated all the participants before going on to acknowledge the magnificent voluntary work that is carried out annually throughout the county.
“It is heartening to see groups of local volunteers showing such spirit and endeavour and in the process inspiring others in their community to follow their example.” said Cllr. Doyle, who added: “Towns and villages all across County Wexford are more attractive, better cared for, better places to live and more appealing places to visit as a result of your hard work and dedication.”
He said it was an honour and privilege to recognise the commitment and dedication of all committees and individuals who make such a real difference at a local level.
There were many notable highlights throughout the evening. Tidy Towns groups were recognised for their achievements in the National Tidy Towns special category awards, including Enniscorthy Tidy Towns, who were presented with the Tidy Towns Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland Award.
Monageer Tidy Towns and Rosslare Tidy Towns were presented with the Tidy Towns Sustainable Development Award while Ballyduff Development Group was the recipient of the ‘Can It’ Award.
Tidy Towns stalwarts Mary Gethings from Ferns and Lili Masterson of Ballycanew were also recognised for receiving the Tidy Towns Community Hero Award.
Ballyduff Development Group, Camolin Community Development Association Kilanerin Tidy Towns and Rathpierce Community Group were also presented with awards for their participation in the North Wexford 2K cleanup initative while 22nd Wexford Oulart Scout Group was presented with a plaque having won the Community Group ‘Snap Into Action’ competition.
An environment quiz kept the excited attendance guessing at the beginning of the night and prizes to the first six correct answers drawn were presented to lucky winners Olivia McCauley, AJ O’Neill, Tiernan Busher, Bridget Braham, Kevin Walker and Eithne Turner.
The overall winner of the Keep Wexford Beautiful Competition was Kilanerin Tidy Towns, with master of ceremonies for the night, Alan McGuire of South East Radio, reading the citation:
“A warm welcome greets you on entering Kilanerin village. The new addition of Crann an Iarann (Tree of Iron) is a unique feature. Colourful flower beds along with the freshly painted bicycle catch your eye passing the Elms housing estate. Continued work is evident on the school grounds, colourful flowers greet you at the entrance and the window sills are awash with colour.
Well done Kilanerin – once again judges were impressed with the overall up-keep and appearance of your village”.
Local schools were well represented with 17 schools receiving presentations from Cllr Doyle, and St Mary’s National School, Tagoat, was rewarded for receiving its first Green Flag and were also presented with a nest box sponsored by The Wexford Naturalists’ Field Club.
This year seven schools in Wexford were awarded certificates for their participation in An Taisce’s Coastcare Project; Ballycanew National School, Ballyellis National School, Courtnacuddy National School, Scoil Naomh Mhaodhóig, Poulfur, Fethard-on-Sea, Scoil Mhuire, Rosslare, St Ibar’s National School, Castlebridge and St. Patrick’s National School, Craanford.
Laura Kehoe, Ballyellis National School was awarded a plaque as the overall primary school winner in the Christmas Decoration Competition 2017 held in conjunction with South East Radio. Her entry entitled ‘I Can Sing Choir’ was made by using a box, and aluminium cans!
David Andoo, CBS Primary School, was awarded as the overall primary school winner in the Food Waste Prevention colouring competition.
Marshalstown National School was awarded a plaque as the overall primary school winner in the Food Waste Prevention Primary School Competition and Meanscoil Gharman was the overall winner in the Secondary School Food Waste Prevention Competition
Certificates were presented to Erin Doyle, Ballyduff National School, who was the Overall Primary School winner in the Environment Artwork Competition with Aleksandra Piwka, Gorey Community School, adjudged the overall secondary school winner of the Environment Artwork Competition.
There was joy too for St Colman’s National School, Ballindaggin – the beautifully maintained facility, recognised as being Wexford’s Cleanest School.
Rathnure National School also featured among the winners, receiving the Battery Champion Award
An Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution to Wexford’s Environment was presented to Jim Donohue and Lili Masterson, both worthy winners.