Tidy Towns 1998

"Caring for our environment"

Centre : County : OFFALY Category : A

Results Date of Adjudication : 09-06-98

Maximum Mark Awarded Mark Awarded Mark 1998 1997

Overall Developmental Approach 50 26 24

The Built Environment 40 23 19

Landscaping 40 24 22

Wildlife and Natural Amenities 30 14 13

Litter Control 40 35 35

Tidiness 20 8 8

Residential Areas 30 20 19

Roads, Streets and Back Areas 40 26 27

General Impression 10 7 6

TOTAL MARK 300 183 173 Ballyboy, County North Offaly

OVERALL DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH Many thanks for your completed application form, clear map and concise three year development plan. Ballyboy Tidy Towns Committee seems to have a clear appreciation for the town’s potential and parameters within which to work. The points laid out in this report will hopefully give you ideas on how to further improve the town. The adjudicator was particularly heartened to see the amount of work and effort that was taking place in the village on adjudication day, despite the weather which was changeable to say the least!

THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT Ballyboy is fortunate in having a number of attractive and charming buildings within the village’s limits. The charming old church on the approach around which the road meanders is visible throughout the village and should look extremely dramatic when floodlit as per your plans. However, weeds were apparent to the base of the boundary wall and hopefully will be removed in time. Dan and Molly's is an attractive and charming thatched cottage with, the adjudicator was pleased to note, its original sash windows, the retention of which is commendable. It was extremely fresh and bright with its simple unobtrusive sign and climbing roses to the white façade. The school was also very fresh and its grounds well maintained with an attractive sycamore tree overhanging the boundary wall. The latter had an inset Georgian telephone box, the retention of which is to your credit, however, it could do with a fresh coat of paint! However, some work is still necessary under this category - one or two buildings would benefit from development i.e. the old Hall which sports broken windows and would be ideal as a cultural focus for the village. A shed opposite the school looked unfortunate with rust staining to its façade.

LANDSCAPING The landscaping throughout the village was beautifully simple in its presentation. Marigolds were planted to the base of the stone walls adjacent to the old church, (work on which was in progress on adjudication day). The village pump was simply presented and there was an attractive planted bed opposite. The roses growing up the wall of the car park opposite the pub looked quite charming and the roses and sweet william to the famine garden were simple yet colourful. The information board in this area, however, is weathering badly and could perhaps be replaced by something that will better withstand the elements.

WILDLIFE AND NATURAL AMENITIES Ballyboy is fortunate in this capacity with its wealth of mature trees and its magnificent peaty brown river. Blackberries were evident in blossom overhanging the stone walls adjacent and wild flowers were evident to their base. A wealth of birdlife was obvious, the adjudicator even saw a wren. This is an ideal wildlife habitat, perhaps a wildlife project could be set for the school incorporating a map for the many walkers in the vicinity in order that they could identify the wildlife evident along their route.

LITTER CONTROL The village was virtually litter free even in the vicinity of the usual problem areas such as shop and the school. However, a few papers were evident on the bend in the road opposite the ruined church.

TIDINESS In terms of tidiness the village generally had a neat and ordered appearance. However, on closer inspection one or two problem areas were evident. Namely, the rusty roof to a shed opposite the school, mentioned previously, and the roof to an attractive stone cut building on the Road. Both of these buildings would look more cheerful if painted in a traditional bright red or green colour. Weed control was a problem on the day, quite a few weeds were evident to the kerb outside the school and to the footpath opposite in front of the flower bed. An unsightly weedy yard area at the junction of the road beside the school is very obvious and creates a bad impression.

RESIDENTIAL AREAS Houses throughout the village and along the long approach roads were maintained to a high standard and much care was obvious in their presentation. Of particular note were a very fresh house with arched doorway on the Mountbolus Road and another extremely fresh house by the bridge with attractive widow boxes sporting a colourful display of pansies.

ROADS, STREETS AND BACK AREAS The standard in this category could have been improved upon. The Kilcormac Road was extremely overgrown as was the Mountbolus Road - indeed high nettles were evident to the village side of the nameplate sign! The verges on the Cadamstown Road were also overgrown and Ballyboy would benefit from a nameplate sign on this approach to announce one's arrival into the village. Signage generally was very clean. However, the village nameplate sign was virtually obscured by long grass on the Mountbolus Road and the junction sign coming in the side road by the school appeared rather grubby.

GENERAL IMPRESSION Ballyboy is a very attractive peaceful village filled with its own unique charm and character. It has the potential to do extremely well in the competition provided a coherent strategy is adhered to.