A WELCOME RETURN
Finally, some positive news. It was wonderful to see some of our Volunteers back on the streets last Sunday. Tom and Pat got several jobs done their first morning back.
They began by cleaning some road signs on the road from Carrigrohane to Poulavone and from Killumney Road Roundabout to Gaelscoil Ui Riordain.
50 AND FAB!
Who says you can’t look good at fifty (after a little makeover of course).
While the Volunteers were washing the signs they noticed some overgrown briars and branches that were protruding onto the Cycle Lane near Poulavone. These were cut back to make the place safer for cyclists.
The Planter that stands under the ‘Welcome To Ballincollig’ sign needed some weeding.
Denis put one of Ballincollig Tidy Towns Heritage Signs in place at Bridgewater.
WORK AT THE ALLOTMENT
Another skip full of waste was collected from the Allotment and taken to be disposed of. This waste was the result of several weeks of Litter Picking collections.
There was some lovely spring weather so John O’Neill took the opportunity to freshen up the Flowerbeds at the Allotment. He also gave the entire area a very welcome spring clean.
SCRUB UP WELL
Some more signs looking like new after having a good scrub.
RIVERSIDE TEDDY BEAR PROJECT
A project to spread hope. A simple idea that could save the life of someone who is struggling.
Mick Ryan, a volunteer with Pieta House for the past seven years, has started a project to help those struggling with their mental health. He is urging the public to get behind his RIVERSIDE TEDDY BEAR PROJECT to spread hope.
Mick and some other volunteers would normally take teddy bears with them when they were bucket collecting for Pieta House.
Then last March he decided to tie teddy bears with solar lights to fences along rivers, on bridges and at train stations. Alongside these he placed a poster with the words ‘Your family and Friends Love You’ with the Pieta House phone number.
People throughout the country have taken on this idea and have been placing bears and lights in their own areas in a bid to help those suffering.
In an interview with CorkBeo Mick explained the meaning behind both the teddy bear and the light and what he hopes the project will achieve.
He said if someone is walking along the river or bridge and they are struggling they might see the teddy bear and the light in the distance and hopefully it would distract them from what they were contemplating doing. He hoped that they would read the poster and text the number and get help.
Pieta House have told him that they have already received phone calls from people looking at the posters. So, the idea is already working.
They have been put in several different places across the country including the Shannon in Limerick, in forestries, railway stations and bridges, the idea has even spread to places like Lanzarote and Australia, Mick said.
People can contact him and he will send them the posters and bits and pieces they need. They can then get a teddy bear and a good solar light and put them up in their own areas.
To get involved in the project, you can contact Mick via his Facebook page.
If you are struggling you can text HELP to Pieta House on 51444 or if you are in crisis you can text the HSE 24/7 with HELLO to 50808.
LITTER PICK
Ballincollig Tidy Towns had another busy week and weekend. Twenty-six bags were collected in total.
Four bags of Litter were collected from Rosewood.
Kitty collected five bags of Litter, one bag of Plastic and one bag of Cans.
Five bags of Litter were collected from The Willows.
Christie gathered two bags of Litter covering An Caislean / Barry’s Road.
Denis collected one bag of Litter.
Ger was Litter Picking in the Regional Park and collected three bags of Litter over two weeks.
The remaining bags were gathered from road side collection points and the SuperValu Car Park.
Some of the Volunteers who were out were Kitty, Ferghal, Tony, Denis, Carmel, Martin, Gay, Adam, Noel, Sheila, Christy and Ger.
The areas covered during the Sunday morning Litter Pick were from Carrigrohane Old Post Office, through Main Street to Classis and from the Castle Road to Carriginarra.
Our thanks to so many others who continually do their bit and make such a difference.
A big welcome to Adam, our newest Volunteer. We are always delighted to welcome new Volunteers, never more so than at this time as many of our Volunteers may not return when restrictions lift due to their age.
Please, come join Tidy Towns. Everyone is welcome.
Saturday last, a group of fifteen Residents collected a whopping thirty-five bags of Litter. They worked from Grange Manor to Beverly and also along the Wood Road.
This was a fantastic result for all their hard work.
All government guidelines are followed at all times by those collecting Litter for Ballincollig Tidy Towns.
HOTEL WELCOMING VISITORS
Wonderful to see one hotel that’s welcoming visitors. The Bug Hotel at the Ballincollig Allotment has seen an influx of visitors in recent days. The place is a hive of activity. I think we’re all just a little jealous.
POWERPOINT PRESENTATION
On Monday, Chairman of Ballincollig Tidy Towns, Tom Butler, made a presentation on the work of Ballincollig Tidy Towns. He made a PowerPoint presentation on the history of BTT and the efforts being made in relation to Water Harvesting, Composting, Recycling and its Volunteers.
The presentation was made to Cork City Council Climate Action Committee.
Presentations were also made by John Carney of the National Towns Unit from the Department of Rural and Community Development and by Donal Chambers of Transition Town Kinsale.
Afterwards, Councillors asked Tom some questions on BTTs work.
Oliver Moran, Chairman of the Climate Action Committee thanked the contributors and praised the work of Ballincollig Tidy Towns.
COMPOST FINISHING BAY
We are delighted with the fantastic compost we now have in the Finishing Bay.
Well worth all the hard work adding huge amounts of leaves week after week.
This will soon be ready for use in our Planters.
BALLINCOLLIG REGIONAL PARK
A VERY SPECIAL WEEKEND
This Sunday we celebrate a very special day. It is the day we honour all Mothers.
Ballincollig Tidy Towns wishes Mothers everywhere a very HAPPY MOTHERS DAY.
‘CORK AGAINST LITTER’ CAMPAIGN
The Lord Mayor of Cork has this week launched the “Cork Against Litter” campaign.
When he began his term of office as Lord Mayor, Cllr. Joe Kavanagh, who is himself a proud member of his local Tidy Towns Committee, said tackling litter and anti-litter related activities would be one of his key priorities during his twelve months.
The campaign aims to educate, encourage and empower the people of Cork City to take action to tackle littering issues within their communities. It also aims to help create and support a sense of community and togetherness across Cork City.
The Lord Mayor’s ‘Cork Against Litter’ campaign will include:
-
Anti-dog fouling awareness campaign
-
Supporting the National Spring Clean campaign
-
Increased dog walking routes
-
Information campaign on Waste Presentation Bye-Laws
-
Advertising and promotional campaigns around littering
-
Promotional material for participation in ‘Cork Against Litter’