Newsletter 03 August 2024
Sunday Morning
Sunday Mornings are busy ones because apart from the Weekly Litter Pick going on it is also our Planning Morning. Each Sunday morning we do a review of what was done during the present week and we then look at what projects need to be planned and what is most urgent. We then have a plan but when we go to gather after the Litter Pick that can all change as our volunteers bring up various items that they need to be addressed so usually our plan changes and work is planned for the week.
Our most important task every week is our Weekly Litter Pick and the Cuppa afterwards in The Plaza. Thankfully the volume of litter has decreased very significantly but the Cuppa remains as busy as ever. The chat and laughter every week is infectious. Young and Older sit enjoying chats about everything and anything in Little groups. Everyone is welcome and included.
Last Sunday morning we had 27 volunteers out and the amazing result was that we only collected 5 bags of litter. To clarify there were a lot more recycled bags of rubbish with small amounts of litter in them but when accumulated they amounted to only 5 bags. In addition some of our volunteers carry out daily litter picks and for the week they collected 2 bags of litter and 1 bag of glass.
To put it into perspective on Sunday we pick from Carrigrohane to Classes and everything in between which is an over 4 km stretch. In addition on Monday morning the bags of litter are segregated so the total amount will be further reduced.
Transformation
Following on from our washing of the house in the West Village we painted it this week. What a difference in a short amount of time. Two coats of paint later it looks so much better but more importantly the owner is much happier. A very rewarding project.
Monday morning
On Monday morning Gay had a full crew with him. Tom, Keith and Sunday made a start on cutting the over hanging grass and briars on the boundary fence Community Drive. This is a fence on Private Property but the overhanging briars etc. were impeding the footpath. They also cut the grass strip on Old Front Road and then segregated the rubbish from Sunday’s Litter Pick.
Tuesday Works
On Tuesday Morning Ger and his Team began by removing the overhanging ragwort from O’Flynns Road.
They then removed weeds from the bridge leading onto the Greenfields Road.
They finished off their morning by removing weeds from some of the estate entrances. A great morning’s work by Ger, Sunday, Tom and Keith.
Watering Team
Our Watering Team has expanded. One of the Waterboys has been under the weather so we drafted in some substitutes. The original half of the Waterboys is getting great satisfaction in that it is taking 2 men to do what he did….!
Pat and Kieran kindly stepped in to assist on Monday and Thursday
Another addition is Ben who now gets the Water Tankers ready for us. Has them filled with water and food and the pumps filled with fuel. What a great addition and Ben is saving us a lot of time.
On Saturday one watering team filled the reservoirs in the 31 planters at Eastgate
On Monday night we could certainly see the difference with the current warm weather. The Team used 1,250 litres and it took 2 3/4 hours.
All window boxes, poles, wooden planters, towers and the parklet were watered. They Finished up with only 50 litres left in tanker at end.
On Thursday this was repeated they did the same job but it took
3 1/4 hours and they used 1,250 litres.
Although they used the same amount of water as last Monday, it was actually a heavier usage as there was one day less between watering.
The sunshine is certainly making a difference.
Summer Fruit
The allotment fruit trees are in full bloom as previously reported. For “Research and Quality Reasons” I tasted one of the Apples this week. Glad to report that it was one of the juiciest apples I have tasted. We are so happy with this year’s harvest.
Flashback to 2012
This week on Facebook a memory came up from a Worknight in 2012 where we were working on the Roundabout near DELL EMC
Hard to believe it was 12 years ago and sadly one of our great friends in the photo Tony Whelan is no longer with us and is sadly missed and fondly remembered
L-R Gay Holden, David Butler, Tony Whelan (RIP), Kieran O’Shea, Tom Butler, Pat Clarke.
Wednesday Works
Another busy morning Keith and Tom strimmed around the bench beyond An Caislean.
Sunday and Ger did the path edges from the entrance to Hazel Grove to the first house in the estate.
Tuesday Worknight
On Tuesday the main team were at Poulavone Roundabout while other teams were litter picking, washing and cleaning bins and tidying up in the Old Square.
The big team were working near the Welcome to Ballincollig sign at Poulavone as Tom & Diarmuid cut the grass on the roundabout.
The difference was amazing and regular pedestrians were amazed at how much bigger the footpath was after our work.
Thursday Morning Works
A full Team under the guidance and leadership of Ger had a very busy and productive morning. They Made 2 trips with bamboos from last Tuesdays Worknight and then collected 10 bags of grass from Carrigdene as a result of the residents work.
Sunday and Kieth were removing suckers from the trees on Old Fort Road.
They then cut the grass and overhanging briars from the flowerbed beside An Caisleán then strimmed the grass margin on Old Fort Road so as to make the walking lane bigger. A busy morning by the Team.
Making a Difference
Some jobs that we carry out are done and the majority of people don’t see them. These jobs are so important and they ensure that we maintain our standards.
One of our volunteers does an amazing job looking after the Butt and Gum Bins and also washing signs and bins.
The difference after Denis washed the bins on Main Street was noticeable.
Denis also put a new Butt and Gum Bin outside Tradehouse and it will be interesting to see if it is used going forward.
Well done Denis.
Old Square Entrance
Gay and Eoin did a great job cleaning around the end of the large shrubs at the Entrance to The Old Square on Thursday night.
The lads have a great time together and the chat and laughter is fantastic to see.
A lovely thing to see was the two of them sitting in The Parklet after their work have a chat.
Poulavone Roundabout
On Thursday evening we had 6 Volunteers on Poulavone Roundabout to tidy up the various flower beds and to deadhead the flowers.
What a lovely evening to be on the Roundabout and to see first hand the magnificent colours that are there and very importantly to observe the large numbers of bees feeding on the hundreds of pollinators.
It is truly an amazing place and despite the hundreds of cars that pass around it hourly, it is still tranquil.
We are so lucky to have the generous sponsorship from O’ Donovan Agri Environmental Services to allow us to put these plants in place under the guidance of Stephen and Alan from Clockhouse Nurseries.
This week we will review the results of this year’s planting and see how we can improve even further in 2025.
Voice Ireland
How do you like these apples?
Welcome to our Monthly Magazine – We’re thrilled to share the strides we’ve made in our ongoing mission to combat wasted resources, and their detrimental impacts on our environment.
This month, we spotlight our innovative projects that turn the tide against waste and pollution. From community-driven food waste solutions to inspiring children of Ireland – our efforts are already making a noticeable difference, proving that when we work together, we can create healthier, cleaner, more vibrant communities.
Please follow VOICE on socials, like our posts and share our work. Thank you for your support, and for being part of this journey with us.
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT – CLONAKILTY
Phew…check out all of the incredible projects happening in Clonakilty – this really is a whole community approach to food waste!!
Green Weddings – Five hotels in Clonakilty have come together to only run weddings that are mindful and put waste reduction at the forefront of their wedding packages. Read More.
Clonakilty Farmers’ Market Becomes a WNWN Champion – Stall owners have all signed up to accepting lunchboxes, cups, and all kinds of reusable packaging from customers. If done right, this has potential to reduce a serious amount of packaging waste in Clonakilty.
Share Your Apples This Autumn – Do you have an apple tree and need help harvesting? Why not take part in an Apple Share? Ask for help from neighbors or friends to harvest the apples and split the harvest! If you don’t have anyone who wants your excess apples, or you would like help organising an Apple Share with someone who could make good use of your crop.
Save The Date – on Sunday, September 29th we will be co-hosting the first annual Clonakilty Apple Festival! The event will be held at the Clonakilty Community Garden with help from the Friends of Asylum Seekers from 12-6pm. The community apple press will be available for all to use to press their own apples and there will be apple identification, games and, of course, an apple pie competition!
PICKER PALS (PRIMARY SCHOOL) PROGRAMME
Picker Pals Positivity!
2023-24 was a bumperyear for Picker Pals, with a record-breaking 1,365 classrooms takingpart all over the country.
That works out atover 35,000 childrenpicking up litter to make the world better!
COMMUNITY CIRCULAR ECONOMY ACTION PLANS (CCEAP)
Our first CCEAP* community (first of 27) has completed their Action Plan, with Dee, their VOICE mentor. In the picture is the ‘Sustainable Enniscorthy’ Committee. Well done to everyone, for putting together an ambitious and detailed plan that will progress Enniscorthy’s vision, to foster a thriving community that respects and preserves the natural beauty of their surroundings, while promoting sustainable practices in every aspect of their daily lives.
Left to Right: Dearbhla Ní Laighin, Irene Cadogan, Jonathan Hughes at a CCEAP meeting in June at GreenTech H.Q.
VOICE IN THE NEWS
WASTE NOT WANT NOT: BUSINESS CHAMPIONS AND CURRY RECYCLE
