FALLING LEAVES
Some of our Volunteers in Tidy Towns have been busy sweeping and gathering up fallen leaves from around Ballincollig. A number of Residents from various Estates have also been gathering up leaves from their areas and putting them into bags for collection. These are brought to the composting bays in the Allotment.
Bags of leaves collected in the past week:- at St. Oliver’s Cemetery three bags; Beech Road (Muskerry Estate) nineteen bags; Rosewood Estate two bags; Beech Park four bags.
This Saturday a ‘Leaf Gathering Morning’ is being organised to help clear the remaining leaves that have fallen around Ballincollig. Weather permitting, we will gather at the Oriel House Hotel car park at 10am. With the recent rainfall these leaves are wet and slippery and therefore dangerous. Keep an eye out on our website for more news.
CE/TUS WORK GROUP
Rain once again affected work for the group. As a result a great portion of the week’s work concentrated on the removal of the remaining Summer Planters. These were then put in the composting bays at the Allotment. This week the Winter Planting is being put in place. Collected rubbish was segregated and disposed of. Bags of leaves were also collected from some Estates and put in the composting bays.
LITTER PICK
Twenty five Volunteers and eight Transition Year students gathered for the weekly Litter Pick on Sunday. Thirteen bags of rubbish including six bags of recycling were collected in the hour. During the week previous four Volunteers were out and collected four bags of rubbish and four bags of recycling.
OUT AND ABOUT
Walking around Ballincollig it is clear to see there is plenty going on. The town is enjoying growth with new businesses and new housing being developed. A car park extension is due to go ahead, an existing popular business is undergoing refurbishment and a redevelopment has commenced on an historical building.
Arty’s, formerly Sam’s Bar, on High Street is due to open its doors to the public this week. The new owner has put his mark on the inside and the recently added facade adds to its overall appeal.
Popular Supernova on the Link Road is having some work done and we look forward to seeing the results.
At Eastgate, Aldi are extending their car park with some very welcome extra spaces.
The new housing development across from the White Horse is progressing well and this entire development will be run by Respond Housing.
The redevelopment of an historical building known as the Officers Stables on the Old Fort Road has commenced. In 1903 the building was used for the Officers Cavalry Horses for the Ballincollig Military Barracks. In total fifty two horses were housed there until 1915 when it was converted into a General Store. It was burnt down in 1922 but the Irish Army repaired the building and used it for storing Artillery Guns until the Barracks Closed. It was known to locals as The Long Valley. The building has been purchased by the Carrigrohane Union of Parishes and they are now developing it into the Carraig Centre. They estimate the works will be completed by May 2020.
TIDY TOWNS NEWS
Planning for the 2020 planting is already underway and we are currently looking at ways to improve and increase our planters. Each year we decide on new colour schemes to best enhance the town.
When choosing spring flowering bulbs we are looking to choose bee friendly. These bulbs are often one of the first sources of food for bees in Spring (see blog on website for information on recommended bulbs www.ballincolligtidytowns.ie) (information kindly provided by Griffins Garden Centre)
Another Wash Down Saturday is to be organised in the coming weeks. Our previous one was a great success as we managed to get through so much in the few hours.
WEBSITE
Visit our website www.ballincolligtidytowns.ie for news and updates on all that is happening in Ballincollig and in Tidy Towns.
COME JOIN OUR TEAM
Ballincollig Tidy Towns is always looking for more Volunteers to help with the weekly Litter Pick. If you are interested in giving an hour of your time, come join us any Sunday at 11am in Quish’s car park. We would be delighted to see you.
