Tidy Towns Competition 2011

Centre: Clarina                                                               Ref: 1994 

County: Limerick                                                           Mark: 218 

Category: B                                                                     Date(s): 28/06/2011 
   

Overall Development Approach:

Welcome, Clarina to the 2011 TidyTowns Competition and your participation is much appreciated. According to your entry form, you have 10 members and it is noted that this has declined since last year. Perhaps you should consider going on a recruitment drive? Why not approach the sports club such as the GAA in the village to ascertain of they are interested. Non members should also be considered to participate on a project by project basis if they are not in a position to make an ongoing commitment to the Committee. A flexible approach to TidyTown participation is particularly useful if there are persons in Clarina who have useful skills
(for example gardening) that could be put to good use. You are commended on building up your local links with the Centra. However, contact with the County Council and other agencies such as Fas is strongly recommended to source additional help and materials for your projects. The Council are a ‘must have’ partner in TidyTowns as they are responsible for so many areas that are of interest to your committee – roads, paths, signage, waste, to name but a few. Schools are also a valuable resource and you are commended on establishing a link to the local school. It is also heartening to see that these links are resulting in projects in a range of tidy towns competition categories. Your completed entry form and hand drawn map were also appreciated. However, try and include all important buildings on it as the Church was once again missing and this can reduce the clarity of the map. Your comments regarding the boundaries of Clarina are noted and once again this should be clearly indicated on the map. The adjudicator concentrated on the area within the 50 kph zone for the site visit. Be sure to try and fill out all categories for next year and to undertake as many projects as possible. You are also encouraged to consider producing a tidy towns action plan as this is the most effective way of identifying and prioritising projects as well as boosting your marks in this category! Your initial plan could be as simple as making a list of the suggestions of the adjudicators in each year under each of the tidy towns headings.

The Built Environment:

Clarina is an attractive little village on the N69 national primary road located between Limerick to the east and Foynes to the west. It has a linear settlement pattern with the majority of development in the village concentrated around the N69. The village is an interesting mix of old and new buildings with the terrace of traditional design cottages at the crossroads and the old post office opposite forming what appears to be the original core of buildings in the settlement. The natural stone wall on the Patrickswell side of the N69 was also admired. The Old Gate Lodge on the Patrickswell Road is also an interesting building and it is great to see an old historical structure in such good condition and in active use. The western side of the village (heading
towards Foynes) is comprised of larger, more modern commercial buildings such as the Service station (which looked very well), the Pharmacy and the relatively large mixed use development (which was vacant). The village does not seem to be badly affected by dereliction, although the work on the old post office was noted and the recent painting of the entrance makes a big difference – well done. One hopes that the work to the Post Office also involves the corrugated shed structure adjacent to it. The building that accommodates the riding stables is also an attractive traditional style building and its boundary walls appear to have been recently painted.

Landscaping:

The planting tubs on the approach road from Limerick are attractive and add nice colour to the entrance to the village. It is recommended that a raised landscaped bed (perhaps of natural stone to match the natural stone wall) should be considered for the approach roads to the village in the medium term as planted beds are lower maintenance than planted tubs. The landscaped rockery at the entrance to the GAA grounds was observed and while this is a nice idea, it could be improved by using a greater variety of plants. The planted tubs at McElligotts were also observed and the simple planted tubs at the service station were very effective. The planters on the parking area at the pharmacy also looked well and helped to soften this relatively extensive
area of hard surfacing. A project that was a highlight under this category was the simple but very attractive planting at the fisherman’s monument (and the trees) further out the Foynes road. Opportunities for landscaping were noted at the Ballybrown and Patrickswell approach roads and also on the Foynes approach road. The roundabout on the Foynes approach could also be improved by landscaping.

Wildlife and Natural Amenities:

It is noted that no projects are included for 2010 under this category but a large number are proposed. Your proposed project involving the installation of bird and hedgehog boxes at the school are good - as joint projects with the school are encouraged. The survey of wildlife is also a great idea and we look forward to
seeing it in 2012.

Litter Control:

The standard of litter control observed on adjudication day was quite good, with no litter observed on the approach from Limerick. This is a very good achievement given the high volumes of traffic experienced on a daily basis. Very small amounts of litter were observed on the Patrickswell Road.

Waste Minimisation:

This category should not be confused with litter control as the focus of this category is waste minimisation and some additional initiatives are needed by your TidyTowns Committee to improve your performance in this category. Projects could include composting of grass and plant waste, segregation of litter collected and undertaking an audit of waste generated in households in Clarina. Other ideas for projects for this category can be found in the TidyTowns hand book.

Tidiness:

The standard of tidiness observed during the adjudication was good and it was great to see that a lot of the Adjudicators suggestions in 2010 had been followed. Obvious improvements included the whitewashed walls of the stables and the painted gates of the Garden Centre. Other improvements are possible however. The hedge that is growing over the natural stone wall on the Limerick road on the way in should be trimmed if possible, while the gates at the GAA grounds and the back gate to the stables could both be painted. The sites on the approach from Foynes (at the roundabout) are also very untidy looking.

Residential Areas:

The standard of presentation of individual houses and their gardens in Clarina was generally good, while the row of traditional cottages at the crossroads achieved a very high standard and the owners/occupiers should be proud of their efforts. be proud of their efforts.

Roads, Streets and Back Areas:

The approach road from Limerick was good, with clear and visible signage (including a Clarina name sign) and tidy verges observed. The verge maintenance on the Ballybrown road was not to this standard as verges appeared overgrown and untidy at the 50 kph signs. The verges on the Patrickswell road were also untidy in places and no identification name sign for Clarina was found within the 50 sign zone. The approach from Foynes is reasonable, with clear signage and tidy verges but it is spoiled somewhat by the untidy sites on the Patrickswell side.

General Impression:

Well done Clarina on another good performance in the TidyTowns competition Clarina. Keep up the good work and we’ll see you again in 2012.

There will be a Tidy Towns AGM on Tuesday February 28 at 8:30pm in the GAA Clubhouse.

There will be a Tidy Towns meeting on Jan 10th at 9pm in the GAA clubhouse