Hunt on for Birr's best kept estate

The Chairman of Birr Tidy Towns is hoping the competitive spirit is alive and well in town estates. Tony McLoughlin is encouraging residential estates in Birr to take part in an upcoming "Best Kept Estates" competition that has a total prize fund of €3,000. Judging for the competition will take place over the summer months of June, July and August. Mr McLoughlin explained this week that the prize fund of €3,000 will be distributed amongst three categories - large estates of 50 or more houses, medium estates with 30-50 houses and small estates with fewer than 30 houses - and will be based on the number of applications received. The focus of the competition, he said, is to encourage residents to take pride in their estates and to promote community involvement. The competition is supported by Birr Credit Union, and Mr McLoughlin acknowledged the commitment of the organisation to both Birr Tidy Towns and the town itself. Application forms for Birr's "Best Kept Estates" competition are available by calling Tony McLoughlin on 057 9121376, Bernadette Fanneran on 087 2525235 or by emailing birrtidytowns@hotmail.com. Completed application forms must be lodged by Friday, May 25 at 5pm to Tony McLoughlin, Chairperson Birr Tidy Towns, Main Street, Birr.