17 July 2018
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
Cork County Council recently hosted 3 award ceremonies for prize winners in the Divisional Anti-Litter Challenge Awards, 2018.
Awards ceremonies were held in the Council Offices in Annabella, Mallow for prize winners in the Northern Division, in the Council Chamber in County Hall for villages in the Southern Division and at Dunmanway Swimming Pool for those competing from the Western Division.
The competition, now in its 22nd year, sees Tidy Towns groups and community organisations compete to keep their local environment clear of litter. Unlike the Tidy Towns competition, the sole emphasis of this competition is on litter, providing an opportunity for all communities to compete on a level playing field. Advantages conferred by areas of natural beauty and architectural importance in the Tidy Towns competition are not considered as part of the judging criteria of the Anti-Litter Challenge.
Therefore, communities who feel they may not have a chance in the Tidy Towns competition can still hope for success in the Anti-Litter Challenge. Communities whose members are willing to walk the roads and pick up litter have a chance of winning.
Cllr Kevin Conway presents the South Division Category A Tidy Towns third place award Award to Finbar Cronin , Nora O’Riordan and Gus O’RCronin,rom Inchigeelagh Tidy Towns at the Cork County Council South Division Litter Challenge Awards at County Hall.
Photography by Gerard McCarthy
Cllr Kevin Conway presents the South Division Category B Tidy Towns first place Award to Helen Ni Loingsigh, Aine Ni Bhriain,Eibhlin Ni Loingsigh,Briege Ni Loingsigh, Abbie Ni Loingsigh and Brid Ul Thuma from Renanerree Tidy Towns at the Cork County Council South Division Litter Challenge Awards at County Hall.
Photography by Gerard McCarthy
Mary Lucey, Vincent Harrington and Siobhan McCarthy from Carrigadrohid Tidy Towns pictured at the Cork County Council South Division Litter Challenge Awards at County Hall.
Photography by Gerard McCarthy
Following a review of the competition last year, a commitment was given by the Council that villages participating in the divisional competitions would receive more recognition for their efforts. The structure of the divisional competition was also revamped this year, with the introduction of a category A and B in each division.
Each Category has four prizes up for grabs with a best improver award as well as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes. The top ranked village in Category A of each division also progresses to represent their division in a county final, the winner of which will be honoured at the main Anti-Litter Challenge Awards Ceremony in September.
84 villages in total took part in this year’s competition. All participating communities will be invited to the Annual Awards night in September where prizes are made to winners in the Towns section of the competition as well as to the winner of the Villages’ County Final. Further prizes will be presented to the best improver in the Towns’ competition and the overall county-wide best improver in the villages section.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy congratulated all the competitors and noted how Cork County Council has proudly supported this competition for 22 years.
“We are delighted to assist through funding and administration but also by providing practical help and support to the participating communites. Our local offices and engineers take great pride in supporting all competitors. I wish the very best of luck to everyone at the annual awards.”
