Tidy Tullamore launches today

Tullamore Credit Union’s annual “Tidy Tullamore” competition has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2001, and it will launch again for 2013 tonight (Tuesday) at 7.30pm in the Bridge House Hotel.

The 2013 competition will form part of a major project with Tullamore Town Council, the Tidy Towns Committee and the Chamber Of Commerce to go for gold in the national Tidy Towns competition and the IBAL Litter League, organisers from the Credit Union have said.

This year’s push for gold is timely, with Tullamore Credit Union celebrating 50 years in business. “As a community based organisation, set up by and for the people, Tullamore Credit Union is particularly proud to be associated with this very worthy initiative co-sponsored by Tullamore Town Council,” marketing officer at the credit union Janet Hayes said.

The “Tidy Tullamore” competition is open to all residential streets, estates, businesses and villages in the Tullamore Credit Union common bond. Benefits of taking part in the competition include neighbours coming together, businesses becoming more attractive to shoppers and a sense of pride in the local community.

“A competition like this one has an even greater importance in the current financial climate,” Ms Hayes added. “Many people are feeling the pressure due to money worries and job worries and something like this, where you can get out for an hour in the evening, meet your neighbours and have a chat while you pick up litter or pull weeds can be a great way of relieving stress and developing friendships.

“It’s never been more important to have our town looking well to attract potential employers, shoppers and tourists,” she added. “Tullamore is a great place, with historical, cultural and natural attractions in abundance. Having the town litter free, tidy and colourful will benefit us all.”

This year a new category - Best Business Street - is being added to the competition, with hopes busienss people on each street in Tullamore will band together and compete for the honour. Areas such as litter management, creative window displays and flower features will all be considered in the category.

As per every other year, judges will visit each entrant three times during the summer and will issue a follow up report after each visit. The winners will be announced at a presentation night in September.

Entry forms can be downloaded from www.tullamorecu.ie or by contacting Janet Hayes on 057 9351780 or janet@tullamorecu.ie.