Reflecting on a year of growth for Longford Tidy Towns

As Longford Tidy Towns enter the final month of the year they bask in the success of 2022. The group were delighted by the overview of a National Tidy Towns judge who visited Longford town during the summer months.

That judge was fulsome in his praise of Longford Town, stating: “Longford was a treat to visit, and is a town that is cherished by locals. It was a pleasure to spend time in the town and it would be impossible not to be impressed with the presentation of the many buildings that had needed major tender loving care”.

He praised the careful consideration given to selection of paint colours, naming and signwriting, and added that Longford Town is fortunate to have so many great buildings of historic importance. The judge also welcomed the increased number of pollinator-friendly plants and shrubs growing in and around the town.
In closing the judges’ report stated “Longford Town is making great strides and all involved should be very proud of their achievements thus far”.

At the recent AGM of Longford Tidy Towns volunteers were in a jubilant mood. This was enhanced when they learned that the same judge increased Longford Town’s marks from 330 to 345, just 21 marks behind the overall National Tidy Towns winner, Trim.

Outgoing chairman, John Farrell, pointed out the town’s continuing success in the National Tidy Towns competition had happened due to a combined effort of numerous volunteers, residential area groups, property owners, traders, each of the schools, Longford County Council and those looking after the Mall and Royal Canal.

John highlighted the judge’s praise for the new wheelchair friendly bench which is situated on the Royal Canal pathway.
This bench, made by St Mel's College, Templemichael College and St Christopher’s using 7,000 recycled plastic bottles, is a good example of sustainability. It highlights the creative reuse of waste materials.

In his acceptance speech incoming chairman, Michael Keenan, said Nature/Biodiversity, Sustainability (doing more with less) and further Tree Planting are other areas which he would like to see developed further over the next few years.
Michael praised Council regeneration projects, adding that the committee hopes the Council will introduce a footpath cleaning machine, which is in use in other towns.

The new chairman emphasised the committee's interest in new Tidy Towns members, emphasising that the activities include not only tidiness, but also sustainability (doing more with less), nature and biodiversity, tree planting and social media communication.