A VERY DIFFERENT SEPTEMBER
September 2020 is very different for all Tidy Towns groups throughout the country. Usually at this time with nerves on edge and nails chewed in anticipation of the SuperValu National Tidy Towns Competition announcement in Dublin, Ballincollig Tidy Towns would be busy sorting travel arrangements. However, without this year’s competition, we carry on as normal ensuring Ballincollig continues moving forward.
When Tidy Towns Volunteers were required to stand down due to the Coronavirus lockdown, we never lost sight of what was important for our town. As restrictions took hold and travel was minimal some Volunteers collected whatever litter they found while out for their daily walk. As the radius grew so too did their Litter Picking, always being mindful of government guidelines.
Despite this very different September, it is just as important for Ballincollig Tidy Towns to continue doing whatever it can to make the town a better place for all the community. Our goals remain the same, competitions or not. However, we look forward to September 2021 when hopefully we can return once again to the Helix in Dublin to await the announcement of Ireland’s Tidiest Town.
LITTER PICK
On Sunday morning seventeen Volunteers gathered at Quish’s SuperValu car park for the weekly Litter Pick.
Most areas were covered. Eight bags of waste were collected.
The total amounts collected from Litter Picks carried out throughout the week were –
Three bags of waste;
One bag of glass;
One bag of plastic bottles;
One bag of cans.
There were also two bags of grass/leaves collected from Leo Murphy Terrace.
Eight bags of green waste were collected from Carrigdene following a clean up by the Residents.
EASTGATE AND PLANTERS
John and Adrian, our CE Workers, did a marvelous job tidying up the planters at Eastgate and their hard work certainly paid off. Despite the hammering the Plants got from storm Ellen our Workers managed to save them. They are still in full bloom, giving a lovely burst of colour.
The Planters that were taken down after storm Ellen have been washed, sterilized, new wicks fitted and are now in storage ready for next year.
BEFORE AND AFTER
Some hedging at Eastgate had become totally overgrown and was obstructing the footpath which was dangerous for people using it.
On Monday Anthony, one of our Volunteers together with Adrian, our CE Worker tackled this and did a great job cutting it back.
BACK IN TIME
This ariel photograph of Ballincollig in the 1960s shows a very different town than the one we have today.
The left of the photo shows the expanse of Murphy Army Barracks.
Bottom right is the Church of St Mary and St John, the Parochial House and Scoil Eoin.
In the middle of the picture over to the right is the Cork Farmers Union Factory which was opened in 1955. This is now the Commercial Park on the Link Road.
The top right of the picture is the Rainbow Ballroom which operated until 1967. Moremiles Tyres was here at one time and now it is occupied by Red Balloon.
Hennessys of Cork were at Eastgate where Aldi is situated now. Cars, bikes and lorries were assembled here. ‘DW Cars’ was the brand associated with this factory. After Hennessys,
John A Woods moved in there.
Muskerry Estate Rosewood Estate had not been built when this photo was taken. Fr. Sexton Park, O’Donovan Crescent and Leo Murphy Terrace were all being developed.
WATERING
Watering was carried out on Monday night and it took two Volunteers one and a half hours each. All the remaining Pole Planters and the Planters at Eastgate were watered. 1,200 litres of water were used.
Although we have worked hard trying to revive and save them, the remaining Pole Planters on Main Street are on their last legs. They will definitely be removed in the next week or so.
BINDWEED
Our CE workers did a great job removing the bindweed from the palm trees at the front of Cranford Pines.
WORK NIGHT
Power washing the footpaths and railings where our Planters are located was completed this evening.
