Thanks for the effort

With the window boxes looking so well and colourful just now thanks to a lot of rain and a few brief sunny days, it's a good time to gently remind people that any donations towards the cost are very welcome, writes Brian Byrne.

The displays are appreciated, as a number of Kilcullen Community Action members have been stopped in the street and had monies small and larger thrust into their hands.

But if you don't meet anyone from KCA, you can still show your appreciation by dropping something into the collection boxes which are strategically placed in the shops and cafes around Kilcullen.

Meantime, a bit of praise too for all the Main Street property owners who have invested in painting up their premises. There's been a kind of domino effect, and it seems that almost everyone has done a bit of freshening up over the last couple of months.

And no, that 'two-tone' job on the house beside Berney's Saddlers is not an experiment in colour. The work is being carried out by KCA volunteers as part of a programme of painting neglected parts of the streetscape, and Ray Kelly has just been waiting for a suitable ladder and safe opportunity to finish the uppper levels.

Kildare County Council also deserves a pat on the back too for dealing with the derelict house on Hillside which has not just been an eyesore, but became a festering sore of anti-social behavious.

A big thank you to all concerned. Regardless of how many extra points the effort might gain us in the Tidy Towns this year, all the bits and pieces are contributing to a more happy town environment.