Volunteerism and partnership underpin Tidy Towns committee

Áine Ryan

VOLUNTEERISM and partnership continue to be the two mainstays of award-winning Westport Tidy Towns. In her address at last week’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), outgoing Chairwoman, Ms Pamela Flanagan, highlighted the important role played by both groups in the many accolades received by the group.
“We have a great two-way relationship with each of our partners. The thing that particularly strikes me is how individuals in these organisations go above and beyond the call of duty and what might be expected of them when working with Westport Tidy Towns. Thank you so very much,” Pamela Flanagan said. 
Citing the eight partners, Ms Flanagan observed ‘all were equally important, all vital, all making a difference’. Westport Tidy Towns partners are Westport Town Council and Mayo County Council outdoor and indoor staff, Eamonn O’Malley, Town Foreman, the Chamber of Commerce, the gardaí, the schools, FÁS and the fisheries board.
Ms Flanagan then noted that ‘the silent ninth partner’ was ‘our volunteers’.
“It has been my good fortune to work with some of the kindest, hardworking, genuine, funniest and most gracious people you would find anywhere. The volunteers are the essence, the very core of Wesport Tidy Towns. Thank you all very very much,” Pamela Flanagan said.
She explained to the large gathering that much of the group’s work is essentially done ‘under the radar’ during the many cleaning rotas, which includes the regular weekly schedule, the Summer programme and the Good Friday clean-up.   
Furthermore, Pamela Flanagan highlighted the ‘new initiatives’ including the Music Festival, the Mayo Sports Day and the outdoor Christmas Market, which proved a huge success and attracted thousands of people to the town during the festive season.
“We reinvigorated the Residential Areas Awards thanks to ongoing generous sponsorship from the Westport Hhteliers. Well done to Pinewoods Residential Area who won first prize  and congratulations to all the other prize winners,” she said.
Of course, she remarked, all the hard work was geared towards those ‘nerve-wracking’ visitations.
“ We had three big visitations in the past 12 months. Having President and Dr McAlesse here in May last year was a great recognition for Westport and everyone who lives here. Unveiling the plaque of the national win in 2008, achieved under Eithne Larkin’s tenure as chairperson, was a proud day for Westport. Next we were privileged and delighted to host the first ever National Tidy Towns Conference. There were over 100 attendees from over 20 counties – it was great to showcase Westport to our peers and exchange ideas,” she continued.
“Finally, in July we hosted two judges from the Communities in Bloom group for two days in Westport and were subsequently invited by the Department of the Environment in Ireland to represent Ireland in the Canadian Communities in Bloom competition in Canada.”
However, all of this commitment and hard work was worth it when it culminated in the number of awards with which the town has been honoured – even just in the last year, she remarked. Among the long list of awards received in 2008 were Five Blooms from Communities in Bloom and the Largest Tidiest Town in the national awards.
In conclusion, Pamela Flanagan thanked all the officers and noted that the success of the committee had been built on all the commitment and conviction shown since its inception in 1990. She also appealed for new members.
Speaking on the night, Cllr Myles Staunton, Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, noted the cooperation between the Tidy Towns committee and the Town Council. Mr Richard Lennon of Supervalu (sponsors of the national competition) expressed his company’s delight at being involved with the initiative.
Ms Eithne Cosgrove detailed the work of Destination Westport while Mr Peter Hynes, Town Manager, pledged the ongoing support of both the town and county councils. Master of ceremonies for the night was Mr Sean Staunton, former Editor of The Mayo News.