The highlight of the Tidy Towns year is the announcement of the national competition results at an event in Dublin to which representatives of medal-winning towns are invited. In 2021 this event was livestreamed for the first time, a great bonus for anyone interested in the results without having to travel to Dublin. This year the event was scheduled for the Friday of the October bank holiday weekend so perhaps not the best time for some to travel. This newsletter reflects on the work involved in each competition category during the judging year that ran from June 2021 to May 2022.
Community – Your Planning and Involvement – 50/80 marks – +1 from 2021
The adjudicator commented on the quality of our entry form (this is usually a good sign!) and was very positive about our map in particular. There was nothing fancy about it, we used OpenStreetMap, a free open source map that our friends in OpenLitterMap use and we added an accompanying legend on a separate page. For other TidyTowns groups who have been challenged with creating the map, and like us, do not have creative drawing skills, we would suggest giving it a go, and we are happy to share ours if it helps.
The key challenge that Skibbereen has had in this category is the decreasing level of regular volunteers. By regular we mean the usual Tuesday work evenings from Easter through the summer months. Since you have read this far and if you live in the area we would love to have you along in 2023. To make up for this we are indebted to organised groups of volunteers from the business, corporate, education and community sectors. You know who you are and we thank you for what you do for Skibbereen.
Streetscape & Public Places – 48/80 marks – +1 from 2021
The handbook provides an idea of what the Adjudicator looks for in this category:
Source: Tidy Towns Handbook – Streetscape and Public Spaces
There is a lot to cover in the category and the adjudicator made a number of points, also offering some opportunities for future consideration. Special mention to the following buildings: Mona Best and Bridge House, Bridge Street; Civil Defence, North Street; Permanent TSB, Main Street and the Post Office, Market Street. Well done to you all. Thanks also to Cork County Council for the paving and trees along Main Street completed during the 2021/2 competition period (no doubt Bridge Street paving will be commented on in 2022/23).
A number of buildings stood out for positive mention including the Bridge House Restaurant, the offices of the Cork Civil Defence, the offices of the Permanent TSB and the old post office building. The new paving scheme including granite kerbing and tree planting along Bridge Street was particularly admired.
Adjudicator Report, 2022
Further improvement opportunities suggested include converting overhead premises of commercial properties for residential use (to be considered perhaps by the Town Centre First funding?); placing remaining overhead cables underground – ducting work for this is carried out with the recent paving works. As for the heavy traffic, well, there has been a small hardworking group, as part of the SECAD Sustainable Communities initiative, involved in a proposal to open up access to the Marsh area. Here’s a video taster of the idea the group developed and we hope to publish extracts from the proposal document at a later date.
Green Spaces and Landscaping – 46/80 marks – +1 from 2021
Communities should demonstrate the following: The planning, design and management of green spaces. The selection and appropriate siting of trees and their ongoing maintenance, including formative pruning, watering and attention to the stakes and ties. Presentation of landscaping of all entrances to your town/village/locality in consultation with your local authority, where appropriate. The use of suitable plants for hedges and shrubs for year round effect is important as is the siting of seasonal planting of pollinator friendly schemes where you wish to highlight important areas. The use of plant containers can provide impact where it is not possible to plant directly into the ground. To reduce maintenance tasks limit the use of containers. To demonstrate the year round impact of the landscape works in your community, you are encouraged to provide dated photographs of, for example, daffodil schemes which are not evident in summertime.
Source: Tidy Towns Handbook – Green Spaces and Landscaping
The adjudicator made a number of points including advice on established tree pruning, and noted locations where summer planting containers might be considered for removal. It is worth pointing out that the annual cost of planting of containers and hanging baskets, along with watering and feeding, is eye-watering (no pun intended!), and a focus area for future consideration. Allowing biodiversity to flourish in green spaces of the Cork Road playground ties in with the Pollinator Plan for the town, currently in draft format, nonetheless making progress at key locations across the town.
Nature and Biodiversity in your Locality – 42/55 marks – +2 from 2021
Another two marks in 2022 in this category was a wonderful surprise, and goes to show how working with interested parties on a small number of projects can yield results. The Ilen River Nature Matters group was formed only this year and the knowledge shared about wildlife, flora and fauna of the river is marvellous. We note that the adjudicator suggested collecting survey data for the National Biodiversity Data Centre and we are pleased that a number of such surveys have already been undertaken (keep up the good work Ann and team!).
We are aware of some negative comments on social media from members of the public regarding our management of the Mardyke Pollinator Park and so were heartened by the adjudicator’s support for our approach:
The Mardyke Pollinator Park was visited and the adjudicator was impressed with the management regime employed here, which aims to encourage pollinators whilst at the same time present the garden as a space which is very well cared for. Well done to all involved with this project. Because of its size the complete re-wilding of the area would not be considered appropriate.
Sustainability – Doing more with less – 25/55 marks – +2 from 2021
Two marks in this relatively new category is a big deal and reflects the work that is being done across the town to raise awareness of a variety of concerns that fall under the category of sustainability. For context, our medal-winning neighbours in Cork West were awarded a maximum of one mark in the category so to be awarded two marks was amazing – we published a spotlight blog post recently so if you have not yet had a chance to take a look, here’s where you can find it.
Tidiness and Litter Control – 63/90 marks – +1 from 2021
Apart from those of us involved, it is often considered that Tidy Towns is all about litter and flowers. This is fair enough given the name, but remember that the Tidy Towns competition started over 60 years ago when terms such as biodiversity and sustainability were unheard of. Skibbereen entered the competition for the first time in 1961 and has a long tradition over the decades of striving to improve the town above and beyond litter control. The updated handbook to guide Tidy Towns committees across the country states the following:
Tidiness: General lack of clutter, blocked footpaths, redundant poles, unsightly overhead electric cables, absence of graffiti and fly-posting, and evidence of control of weed growth at kerbs. Absence of unsightly and or inappropriate advertising, such as that on gables of buildings and mass produced advertising banners in shop fronts.
Litter: The Adjudicator will assess the absence of litter and dumping, evidence of litter control strategy, including regular litter patrols, segregation of collected litter during clean-ups and promotion of anti-litter awareness throughout the community
Source: Tidy Towns Handbook – Tidiness and Litter Control
The adjudicator noted the town centre was generally clean of litter on the day of the visit, no doubt thanks to Martin who is on duty early every day and to whom we are very grateful for his work. Not quite the same could be said in the vicinity of the Heritage Centre (we had an abandoned car full of litter removed from the car park there in the last year!) and we hope this improves for visitors in the year ahead. The (Windmill) Rock is a known location for littering, mostly alcohol related, however, as this is developed into a community amenity in the years ahead we hope this behaviour will reduce and cease entirely. Hot off the press is the announcement of funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2022 with €243k awarded for development of the Rock. We will share more about the progress of the project in due course, but for now, here are the funding details:
Upgrading of the public amenity known as the ‘Rock’ including the provision of park infrastructure and features including footpaths, new amphitheatre, seating, signage, interpretation of site heritage features, picnic areas, outdoor gym units, signage on public roads, resurfacing and upgrade of footpaths and entrances to the park.
Also in this category, watch this space for a forthcoming blog post on the history of the lane names that was kindly collated by Gerald O’Brien and Adrian Healy a few years ago. Helen Casey was responsible for generously typing up the handwritten notes and we will soon share this fascinating history. Elsewhere, it seems we need to do some work on the street signage, anyone spot a street sign for Main Street? Interestingly, the town Square is considered by some to be at the Bridge, not by the town hall!
Residential Streets & Housing Areas – 35/55 marks – +1 from 2021
There is huge opportunity in this category for everyone who lives in a residential estate or street. Maintenance of gardens, green areas and children’s play areas are all referenced in the category handbook. By maintenance we don’t mean manicured lawns (see the biodiversity category) and the adjudicator has offered some practical examples as follows:
The adjudicator called to the Inse Álainn housing estate which has attractive stone walls at the entrance and a range of smaller open spaces. The open spaces are planted with fine trees, although there was evidence of some ash dieback in this area.
The Riverdale Estate was also visited and it would be good to only cut a 2m strip of grass 2m wide along the edges of roads and footpaths in the estate, the remaining areas can be retained as a wildflower meadow to be cut once/twice per year. Also perhaps consider planting a low hedge along the concrete post and rail fence here, which is somewhat visually intrusive.
Blackthorn Drive estate was visited and it was good to note the longer grass and spring flowers flourishing at the entrance. The ‘Children at Play’ sign would benefit from cleaning. Also consider removing the Griselinia hedge on the boundary of the estate facing the riverside open space, to provide greater visual connection between the estate and the attractive riverside landscape beyond. It should be possible to achieve this, whilst ensuring the continued safety of local residents and children.
Adjudicator report, 2022
Over the years we have had some success engaging Area Ambassadors for each of the residential estates across the town (for example, Riverdale and The Mills) and would appreciate any support from other estates in the future. The adjudicator suggested an “Annual Best Kept Estate” competition so if anyone is interested in leading and coordinating such an initiative please do get in touch. We have wonderful neighbours in Rosscarbery Tidy Towns (Ireland’s Tidiest Village 2022) who adjudicated our floral display awards in 2019 and we’re sure they would be happy to help us out again.
Approach Roads, Streets & Lanes – 42/55 marks – +2 from 2021
A gain of two marks in this category is a fantastic achievement. An adjudicator had not visited Skibbereen since 2019 and how much has changed in that time? The three roundabouts on the approach roads from Baltimore, Cork and Schull have all had a major overhaul courtesy of considerable efforts by the sponsors, Skibbereen Garden Centre, Deelish Garden Centre and West Cork Distillers. Of course, none of this work could have happened without the support of Cork County Council, so thank you all.
The adjudicator concluded with the following remarks: “The visit to Skibbereen this Summer was a very enjoyable experience. The Town has great potential to progress further in the competition and the implementation of your rolling 3 Year Plan will be very important in this regard. Some further consideration of the adjudicator’s comments and recommendations should enable you to make the most of your significant streetscape assets and natural features. You are wished well for the future.“
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our supporters who have helped us continue our work in what has been another challenging year. Whether you donated time, skills or money, whether individual, charitable, community, corporate or public service, however you helped, we very much appreciate it all.
On behalf of Jerome, our Chair, and the committee of Skibbereen Tidy Towns, may we wish you a peaceful and safe Christmas, and a very happy New Year for 2023.
Skibbereen Tidy Towns 