COMMUNITY WASH DOWN
Ballincollig Tidy Towns is calling on all Estates to organize a Wash Down Day or days among the residents. Each family would wash down their front wall, gates, and path, all the while practicing Social Distancing with their neighbours. Afterwards, if needed, the painting of these could be tackled. It would be a good opportunity while staying home to work together at a distance. This effort would go a long way towards Ballincollig’s preparation for this year’s SuperValu National Tidy Towns Competition.
Finally, the washing down of sign(s), benches, poles within the various Estates could be allocated to willing families. This Community Wash Down would be a wonderful way for the entire community to pull together while staying apart.
Send us photos of your Wash Down efforts and we will post them on our website. Send photos to info@ballincolligtidytowns.ie
 
GLENDOWER ESTATE BIODIVERSITY AREA
Despite us all being in lockdown at present due to the coronavirus, there is plenty of activity going on in the Glendower Estate Biodiversity area. The newly installed Swarm Box had its first visitors during the past week. Unlike us, animals and insects have no restrictions on their movements and can take up new accommodation at will and travel out ‘just because’. I think we can safely say we envy them at this point. In addition, the new Bug Hotel built by Micheál and Eoin Crockett is awaiting its first visitors. We will be kept posted as the guests arrive. Well done to the residents of Glendower Estate for the initiatives they have taken and for making a difference to their Biodiversity area.
SOCIAL DISTANCING AMIDST THE BEAUTY
The newly planted daffodils in the Regional Park near the Allotments are a cheerful sight. As we have been asked to do our bit and remain within 2km of our homes while exercising, the numbers who can visit and enjoy the Regional Park at present have diminished. For those who can enjoy its beauty, remember to respect those who are also on the various paths.
Keep a social distance as you enjoy a walk. Make sure dogs are kept on their leads and you clean up after them. Put your litter in the bins provided. If cycling, do so in single file. This is a wonderful amenity and we are lucky to have it, especially at this challenging time. Remember everyone keep 2 metres apart.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
CORK CITY COMMUNITY CALL COVID-19 HELPLINE  1800 222 226
covidsupport@corkcity.ie
BALLINCOLLIG GAA HELPING THE COMMUNITY’S ELDERLY / MOST VULNERABLE    087 270 7507 (Senan Power) ballincolliggaafriends@yahoo.com
WEBSITE
Our website has been enjoying more traffic in recent weeks and the feedback on it’s new look has been very positive. If families have been planting flowers in their gardens, we would love to see your efforts. Send some of the pictures to us on  info@ballincolligtidytowns.ie and we will happily display them on the website for others to enjoy.
The old photographs we have been posting on our ‘Ballincollig Past’ page have awakened many memories for people. We are always looking for additional photos so be sure to send them in to us.
LITTER PICK
One of our Volunteers decided to spend some of his free time carrying out Litter Picks. So far in the past week he has covered both sides of the street from Harrington Street to The Oriel House Hotel and from Quish’s Supervalu West Village to Lakewood. Community Drive and the Old Fort Road to Eastgate were also covered.

In total, seven bags of mixed litter were collected. All precautions have been taken at all times and in light of Covid 19 in the interest of Health and Safety, sorting into the various categories is not being done.

** Cork City Council had the road sweeper out on the streets of Ballincollig this past week. It certainly made quite a difference.