Tidy Towns Competition 2014

Adjudication Report

Centre: Loughnavalley Ref: 207

County: Westmeath Mark: 233

Category: A Date(s): 11/06/2014

Maximum Mark Mark Awarded 2014

Community Involvement & Planning 60 32 Built Environment and Streetscape 50 29 Landscaping and Open Spaces 50 36 Wildlife, Habitats and Natural Amenities 50 20 Sustainable Waste and Resource Management 50 11 Tidiness and Litter Control 90 55 Residential Streets & Housing Areas 50 25 Approach Roads, Streets & Lanes 50 25 TOTAL MARK 450 233

Community Involvement & Planning / Rannpháirtíocht an Phobail & Pleanáil: Loughnavalley is welcome to the 2014 National Tidy Towns Competition, thank you for your submission. It is important that a plan summary accompanies your application each year highlighting work achieved to date in addition to future projects for approximately a three year period; it is desirable that this is a summary and not an entire plan, thank you for your detailed sketch map highlighting projects for the current year. It is good to note the links with Westmeath County Council and Credit Union and of course those with the local school are invaluable. Congratulations on your thirteen year participation in the competition and good luck for the future. An interpretive panel should be provided for the astronomy feature in the village centre detailing its significance for Loughnavalley.

Built Environment and Streetscape / An Timpeallacht Thógtha agus Sráid-dreacha: The built environment of Loughnavalley has a pleasant appearance with both the church and national school and their respective grounds attractively presented. The farm buildings located on the crossroads feature well painted window and door apertures; the William Fox premises looks well also, perhaps the dated beer signs could be removed and replaced if necessary with something more attractive; flower displays here are colourful. The old school (Community Hall) looks well also. The repainting of the cemetery railings is appreciated. Older buildings are being nicely maintained.

Landscaping and Open Spaces / Tírdhreachú agus Spásanna Oscailte: Container plants throughout Loughnavalley were admired for their colour and profusion, well done to those involved. Landscaping at the crossroads was admired also as were the large number of young, semi-mature and mature trees around the village. Better ground cover is suggested for landscaping at the astronomy feature plus some resurfacing would benefit this area also. The pump garden on the Castletowngeoghan road is an attractive feature. Keep in mind the need to choose species when landscaping that will enhance Loughnavalley's biodiversity status.

Wildlife, Habitats and Natural Amenities / Fiadhúlra, Gnáthóga agus Taitneamhachtaí Nádúrtha: Projects undertaken for this year are noted. The wildflower meadow, bee hotel, fruit trees and shrubs are all excellent initiatives that will enhance biodiversity, this is a fine achievement. There are long stretches of hedgerow within the village and on approach roads, a project that might be considered for the future perhaps with the participation of the school would be to undertake a habitat survey of hedgerow to identify existing habitats and species; a wildlife panel detailing survey results would promote awareness and appreciation.

Sustainable Waste and Resource Management / Bainistiú Acmhainní agus Dramhaíola Inbhuanaithe: Sustainable Waste and Resource Management / Bainistiú Acmhainní agus Dramhaíola Inbhuanaithe: It was good to note the tidy appearance of the recycling point; the creation of a three bay community composting heap is an excellent initiative. Your plan for a leaf heap for the coming year to be located at the pump house/wildflower garden is interesting and we look forward to the fruits of this work. To attract more marks under this heading prevention of waste at source should be prioritized; with this in mind consult the website http://localprevention.ie/tidy and your Tidy Towns Handbook for ideas to get you started.

Tidiness and Litter Control / Slachtmhaireacht agus Rialú Bruscair: Loughnavalley has a litter-free and extremely tidy appearance, all involved are to be commended. The weekly bulletin and district notes which call for observation and reporting in the case of random dumping or litter has clearly made an important contribution to the litter-free status of Loughnavalley. The 'Dogs Prohibited' signs on the cemetery gates are noted as are the signs regarding dumping at the recycling point. For optimum performance under this heading it is important to submit details of your litter control strategy which no doubt includes segregation for recycling and participation in the National Spring Clean and any other anti-litter awareness initiatives.

Residential Streets & Housing Areas / Sráideanna Cónaithe & Ceantair Tithíochta: The entrance to Loughnavalley from the Mullingar approach road was admired for hedgerow boundaries of dwellings together with the attractively grassed roadside areas to boundary walls all of which give a pleasing green effect to the village. Dwellings and their gardens on the Ballymahon entrance to the village were admired also. Residents might be encouraged to feature a native species of tree in their gardens to attract bird life. Consideration might also be given to asking residents to participate in a bird survey within their own curtilage areas, Birdwatch may be able to offer some support in this respect.

Approach Roads, Streets & Lanes / Bóithre Isteach, Sráideanna & Lánaí: The entrance to Loughnavalley from the road was particularly admired for its neatly maintained grass verges while the young trees on the Ballymahon entrance are a great introduction to the village also. A stretch of hard shoulder at the church still has a rough-looking appearance although the potholes have been filled in . The Mullingar entrance was also admired for its attractive grass verges, maturing trees and of course its nameplate. Some stretches of stone wall are in need of refurbishment. Signage throughout Loughnavalley is to a good standard of presentation.