Newsletter 22 February 2025

Crime Prevention

Last Sunday morning people in the Regional Park were possibly wondering what was all the Garda Activity in our HQ.

Well it was all positive and it is about BTT working with the Garda Crime Prevention Unit to protect our equipment. Each piece of equipment we have is hard got and we depend on it all the time. So we have signed up to a fantastic initiative where the Gardai come to site and etch our equipment with a special machine.

The Gardai have been extremely helpful and supportive and the Crime Prevention Officer also gave us some excellent advice which we will be implementing.

For more information contact your local Community Garda.

Spring Sunday

On Sunday morning we had 28 volunteers out for our Weekly Litter Pick.

We covered a lot of the Regional Park as well this morning. Pat collected 14 bags of Litter which included 1 bag from litter picks during the week.

We adjourned to The Plaza which was still in Valentine’s Day mood with Heart Shaped plates and biscuits. A lovely touch.

Incredible Transition Year Students

On Sunday morning Denis and Bridget did an incredible amount of work with our 7 Transition Year Students.

They pruned the hydrangea bush gathered the weeds and leaves at Cleburne Mews. They then cleaned around the much used bench on Community Drive of the moss and also edged around the bench. They gathered twigs along the cycle path on Old Fort Road. They collected nine bags mainly of leaves but a few with twigs and weeds as well.

Monday Again

On Monday Morning Gay Tom, Sunday, and our new man, Bikunda removed 25 bags of very wet leaves from beside the hoarding on Leo Murphy road and Leo Murphy terrace, and from Healy’s Bar past the bus stop and into Father Sexton park, and all were taken for recycling.

We welcome Bikunda to the Team.

Busy Tuesday

On Tuesday morning before they left the base, Jimmy, Sunday and Bikunda sorted 5 bags from Sunday morning’s litter pick.

They then headed to the Old Fort Road, where we were joined by Keith, to cut back the beech hedging. We are approximately 1/2 way along the stretch of hedging. The lads filled 6 full tonne bags of cuttings brought back to our base and put into the green skip.

Spring is in the air

Despite the gloomy weather conditions this weekend nature continues to progress and brighter our days.

In the Regional Park, Poulavone Roundabout and at Parc Cul Rua (Photos below) the bright colours of spring are starting to appear and give us all a lift.

Wednesday at HQ

Wednesday morning Ger H, Keith, Tom, Sunday and Bikunda did a clean up of path edges at the carpark by the BTT HQ. They used the opportunity of there being only a few cars in the car park to carry out these works. They collected a lot of small branches as well.

They filled 3 tonne bags and 15 small bags which were taken for recycling.

Trophies on Tour

This week our 2 All Ireland Trophies paid a visit to one of our favourite former volunteers Brian Mulcahy. Brian was beaming with pride when he saw the trophies knowing that played an important part in Ballincollig achieving these awards.

Thursday Works

On Thursday Ger K Sunday and Bikunda continued to cut the Beech hedging on Old Fort Road There is a lot done here but more to do before the March deadline.

They filled 7 tonne bags with cuttings. A great mornings work.