Tidy Towns 2002

"Caring for our environment"

Centre : PORTUMNA County : Category : C

Results Date of Adjudication : 03-06-2002

Maximum Mark Awarded Mark Awarded Mark 2002 2001

Overall Developmental Approach 50 36 36

The Built Environment 40 32 31

Landscaping 40 32 31

Wildlife and Natural Amenities 30 20 20

Litter Control 40 31 31

Tidiness 20 14 15

Residential Areas 30 24 23

Roads, Streets and Back Areas 40 30 30

General Impression 10 8 8

TOTAL MARK 300 227 225 Portumna,

OVERALL DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH

You mention in your application form that you have minimal practical assistance in your work. You need to get some sponsorship from the local businesses who benefit so greatly from Portumna’s large influx of visitors. If you have a three to five year work programme do include it each year with your application. Last year’s adjudicator asked you to send in a summary of your Portumna 2000 strategy. This will help the adjudicators assess what progress you have made over the year in terms of your aims and objectives.

THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

The standard in this category of the competition was quite mixed, although most commercial and public buildings contributed well to the overall impression. The Shannon Oaks Hotel looked fresh and well landscaped although its boundary wall will need painting before next year’s competition. A neglected building at the end of Main Street creates a bad impression when entering from this direction. Curley’s was quite fresh as was Enda Hayes with its charming wrought iron canopy. This is a typical feature of the town which is most unusual and attractive. Clossick’s was also very fresh as was That’s My Dress in bright pink. Some attention is needed to the Bank of Ireland before next year’s competition. However, public buildings such as the Day Care Centre, Social Welfare Office, Garda Station and the Civic Buildings in pink on Abbey Street were all maintained to a high standard. Portumna has a fine tradition of vernacular shop fronts. The canopy and gate to the entrance of the old church off Main Street is another unusual architectural feature unique to the town. It would benefit greatly from a restoration to its former glory. The church itself is extremely neglected. Surely some practical use can be found for it!

LANDSCAPING

The standard in this category of the competition was good. An attractive landscaped area by the church at the top of the main street was greatly admired. The cheerful playground was extremely well maintained opposite the Fire Station. Much work was in evidence on the Road in terms of planting to a raised stone bed, new trees, a well maintained lay-by and the millennium planted bed.

WILDLIFE

Portumna is fortunate in this regard with its magnificent Forest Park and the mature grounds of Portumna Castle each of which maintain a great variety of wildlife habitats. Perhaps you could consider putting together a map indicating these habitats for any visiting walkers. LITTER CONTROL

The standard of litter control on the day could have been better. Most of the litter bins seemed to be in very bad order and were quite flaky. Quite a lot of litter was evident on St. Patrick’s Street and to the laneway leading to the old church.

TIDINESS

The standard in this category could also have been better. The Shannon Scenic Tours sign in the vicinity of the Garda Station was quite stained and needed washing. Do discourage advertising hoardings and fly posting. An election poster was still in evidence. Don’t neglect out buildings when considering the town’s presentation. One with a rusty tin roof on the Birr Road created a bad impression. Weed control could have been better to a number of footpaths and the lamp standards will need painting before next year’s competition.

RESIDENTIAL AREAS

Houses both within the town and along approach roads contributed strongly to this aspect of the competition. Of particular note were the attractive houses with stone boundary walls on the Loughrea Road. A pretty cottage garden opposite the Shell garage looked quite charming. The housing estate by the town nameplate on the Birr Road looked well.

ROADS, STREETS AND BACK AREAS

The standard of approach roads and streets within the town generally looked reasonable on the day. The Road was well presented although the surface in the vicinity of the boundary walls of the new houses appeared quite weedy. The Birr Road was fine. The street leading to the day-care centre and fire station is most attractive and well maintained and looked rather elegant. The new trees and landscaping work to the Loughrea Road were greatly admired. In terms of street furniture the benches throughout the town will need sanding down and re-varnishing before next year’s competition.

GENERAL IMPRESSION

Portumna is an attractive busy centre which attracts numerous visitors to enjoy its many features. Try to get local businesses involved in providing you with some practical assistance in terms of sponsorship.

SECOND ADJUDICATION (06/08/02)

Portumna is naturally attractive and possesses several most unusual and interesting assets such as the Castle with its superb 17c garden, the Priory, the Marinas, the Forest Park, the well planned streets and of course the Shannon. Traffic nuisance is less severe than in many other towns of similar size. While the Tidy Towns Committee’s effort is good, bringing the town into the higher level of the competition, it is worth saying that Portumna does not yet match several others where the advantages are fewer and less distinctive. One would like to see Portumna reaching its true potential in all respects. (For example, your entry under ‘Wild Life’ is left blank.) Do not hesitate to take the initiative of examining, at high season, the work in towns of similar size which receive a higher marking to see how you can do as well or better. The helpful remarks of the first adjudicator should be very seriously considered, leading to a concentrated and imaginative response from all householders and business-people.