Towns urged to get tidy ahead of competition
Towns and villages around the country were today urged to launch a crackdown on rubbish ahead of this year’s Tidy Towns competition.
Batt O’Keeffe, Minister of State at the Department for the Environment, called on communities to enter the 2006 Tidy Towns Competition in a bid to clean up urban areas.
“One of the reasons Tidy Towns has enjoyed tremendous success over the years, has been its ability to move with the times and reflect the needs and priorities of successive generations,” the TD said, as he announced changes to the competition.
“If we want Tidy Towns to have as much energy and relevance today, as it did when it was first launched, we must continue to respond to the new challenges facing us and I believe these changes succeed in doing that.”
The changes for the 2006 competition include a new ‘Large Urban Centre’ category, with a population of over 15,000 people, a section for waste minimisation to tackle the growing rubbish issue and an upgrading of the marking system to reflect increasing standards.
Mr O’Keeffe said the competition has changed over its 40 years in existence to reflect the social, economic and cultural changes that reflect a modern Ireland.
Cathal Deavy, marketing manager with SuperValu, said: “To support this year’s programme we have developed a new television advertising campaign, to recruit new committees from every walk of life and our key message is to encourage everyone to participate.
“Even the smallest time commitment can make a difference, so no matter what amount of time you can give try and do something, as even the smallest time commitment can make a real difference.”
The deadline for Tidy Towns entries for May 17, 2006, and information can be found on the website, www.tidytowns.ie
