Four marks gain in Kilcullen's Tidy Towns performance
The extra marks were in the Residential Streets & Housing sector (2), Tidiness & Litter Control (1) and Wildlife, Habitat & Nature Amenities (1).
With a total of 292 marks from a possible 450, Kilcullen is top of Category D in the Competition in the county.
The adjudicator made positive comments about the community involvement in the work of Kilcullen Community Action/Tidy Towns, and particularly about the involvement of new residents in the work.
The efforts of shop and business proprietors to retain the traditional character of Main Street — 'the heartbeat of Kilcullen' — were also commended, though a note of concern about some shop signage was added.
The sculptures in the town 'were a treat' the adjudicator said, and another impressive feature of the built environment was the sports area, 'a credit to the foresight and imagination and political clout of many in your community'.
The very high marks in the Landscaping & Open Spaces section are 'well deserved' according to the report, which particularly references the Convent Garden and the flower arrangements through the town. The planting of wildflowers and trees also received positive mention, as did the cleaning up of Pinkeen Stream, the work there having 'major consequences for wildlife', of which the arrival of the egret to the area is one example.
Plans to encourage the use of electric cars emphasise the need to have a charging point installed, and for this the county council must be pressurised, the report suggests under the Sustainable Waste and Resource Management notes. The adjudicator also says that the council's Environmental Awareness Officer might be a source of suggestion of new projects in this area.
Under Tidiness & Litter Control, the report acknowledges 'Trojan efforts' in reducing the impact of vacant premises, and the 'meitheal' of helpers between the age of 10 and 85 in working to keep down the level of litter. A proposed change in policy on the use of litter bins will be of interest in next year's competition.
The report's commentary on the Residential Streets & Housing Areas is generally positive, with a particular note on the variety of housing estates ranging from 1939 up to the 'tiger era', each of which bring a particular character to their neighbourhood. The adjudicator noted, however, that one, unnamed, residential estate, needs some 'inspiration' in its 'neglected' landscaping plans.
In the Approach Roads, Streets & Lanes section, the report makes a particular note of the 'beautiful informality' of the approach from Brannockstown, with its 'charming walkway'.
In conclusion, the adjudicator said it was 'an exciting experience' to visit Kilcullen, because 'there is so much that is happening here that is positive and augurs well for the future', but also noted that there are 'challenges'.
In percentage terms, Kilcullen scored overall 66pc of the available marks, and in the individual sections scored highest in Landscaping & Open Spaces with 90pc, followed by Community Involvement & Planning with 82pc. The lowest score was under Sustainable Waste & Resource Management with 32pc of the possible score in the sector.
In an initial comment on the results, KCA/Tidy Towns chairman Ray Kelly said the extra four points was 'a good score overall', while Eoin Houlihan of the Kilcullen in Bloom project noted there are 'things to work towards'.
