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Local Tidy Towns group bounce back with third successive title

Local Tidy Towns group bounce back with third successive title
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A Waterford village has recovered from the theft of equipment in the summer months to claim both gold and first in county.

Lismore also took home a gold award with Ardmore coming third with a silver trophy.

Stradbally once again took home the gold award for a third successive year after a robbery took place in the village.

The group increased their score by 10 points from the previous year going from 373 to 383 out of a possible 550.

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The report published by Tidy Towns praised the work done by the group with 9 committee members and 5 volunteers stating the streetscape of Stradbally is "absolutely charming".

Stradbally Tidy Towns Committee L-R: Margo Crowley, Joe Curran, Ellen Curran, Breda Costello, Tessie Begley, Cess Hearne

The report would go on to state that the "pride of place is very evident throughout the village" with the adjudicator concluding that Stradbally "was an absolute pleasure to visit".

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Vice Chair Joe Curran and Assistant Secretary, Margo Crowley spoke to WLR on the award.

The Vice Chair said it is great when other Waterford areas get recognition.

"We have a good relationship with Lismore and it's great when they get a good result. And well and good if they're above us on the day, motivation for next year," he said.

Mr Curran paid tribute to the local community who rallied around the group after the robbery incident in July.

"They stepped in without being asked and helped us out enormously. The reaction from the community was absolutely brilliant. Without being asked for anything, they all came."

The robbery occurred the day after a commemorative bench for the late Fr. Jerry Condon was unveiled in the area which Assistant Secretary, Margo Crowley says was a tough time for the area.

"We were on a high having completed the bench. So this was a real downer but the community has been brilliant," she said.

"We're now in the process of putting up a new shed and it has to be a more secure shed. But the gold medal and best in county really gave us the lift after what happened."

The Assistant Secretary says the people of Stradbally are very proud of the awards and are giving with their time when possible.

"We have to understand that in most houses now the husband and wife are working and they're not back until the evening and we have a very good GAA and soccer club and all the kids have to be brought there. But when we need help and we ask anyone, they will come and help us out."

With metrics of biodiversity, climate change and water conservation now measured, the group have described the process as a 'different ball game' to when they started 42 years ago.

The group paid particular tribute to the roles played by both primary schools in the area.

"They come out and do a clean up and are very well versed in biodiversity and the green flag."

Vice Chair Curran expressed that the awards are not solely for the group but for the whole area.

"We feel that every time we win an award, it's for everyone."

"We're happy when it's looking well for the community".

For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.

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