Birdhill Tidy Towns

20th December 2009

Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Birdhill Tidy Village Committee has organised a series of walks to take place post Christmas/New Year. Starting on Sunday 27th December and continuing on the first two Sundays in January, participants will embark each day on a four mile route enabling them to explore different elements of the local environment. Assemble in the village at 2.00p.m.

Disposing of Christmas Trees
Arrangements are being made again this year to facilitate the transport of Christmas trees to Nenagh for shredding. Anyone interested in availing of this facility should make contact through the 'Contact Us' section on this website before 6th Jan.

Habitat Wordsearch
Children have the opportunity to win some valuable book tokens by entering the Wordsearch Competition in the recently distributed newsletter. All you need to do is find the names of 13 habitats and submit your entry through the 'Contact Us' section of this website. You can also view the Wordsearch under the Notice Nature button on the site.

8th December 2009

There was great turn-out for the switching on of the Christmas Tree lights in the village on Monday night. Fr. John O'Keeffe did the blessing, Martin Ryan performed the official 'switch on' and the local folk group led the gathering in some carol singing. The children will be looking forward to seeing their photos on the local paper before Christmas.
This has been a popular annual gathering for a number of years and helps to set the scene for the festive season, while emphasising the importance of community and neighbourliness.

Nollaig shona do mhuintir uile an cheantair

4th December 2009

Congrtatulations to Hollie Reid, Blake Ryan and Roisin Colgan who were declared winners in the competition to create a 'Recycling Mascot' for Birdhill, promoted recently to mark National Recycling Week.

They received their prizes this week. See photo gallery for presentation to the winners.

Hollie's entry, entitled 'Robbo,' is pictured here and was the overall winner.

Recycling Offers Birdhill Better Opportunities



Let's recycle with Robbo for a better environment in Birdhill.

20th November 2009

Awards
Birdhill was represented at 2 awards ceremonies on Monday 16th. At the Shannon Region presentation in Bunratty, we received a Gold Medal and County Award for 2009. At the Tiobraid Álainn awards in Nenagh, Birdhill was placed first in the Newport electoral area. Congratulations to our neighbours Ballina on winning the overall award.

14th November 2009

The following sub-committees have been set up to plan for the coming year:
Waste Minimisation: Matt Lynch, Paddy Barry, Marie McKeogh, Ger Floyd, Joe Delaney.
Fund Raising: Majella Foley-Friel, Donnchadh Floyd, Gráinne Delaney, Kathleen Bradley, Tim Floyd
Wildlife & Natural Amenities: Terry Lynch, Ann O'Dwyer, Geraldine Bourke, Bríd Carey, Mick Kelly, Maureen Griffith, Bernadette Hogan, Marie Gorman.
Budget: Denis Floyd, Martin O'Brien, Mary Ryan, Marie McKeogh, Geraldine Floyd
Tidiness: Ted Moynihan, Fiona Ryan, Edel Flanagan, Anne Barry, Bridget O'Brien, Teresa Gopsill, Anthony Floyd.
Railway 150: Denis Floyd, Terry Lynch, Terry Griffith, Geraldine Floyd, Paddy Bradley, Gerry Raddie.

2nd November 2009

To mark National Recycling Week, Birdhill Tidy Village Committee has organised a competition for children to design a figure/mascot/character that would represent recycling in Birdhill. Details have been circulated through the school and we look forward with anticipation to some novel ideas.

Recycle More. Recycle Better

Recycle More: Increase the range of materials you regularly recycle

Recycle More: Recycle beyond the kitchen. Research shows that 96% of adults recycle regularly from the kitchen but this falls to 35% for the bedroom, 52% for the bathroom, and 20% for the home office or study

Recycle Better: The quality of material presented for recycling is our responsibility. We must present rinsed materials for recycling to prevent cross contamination of other material (i.e. paper or cardboard soiled from unwashed food cans). So wash first, then squash cartons or cans, before popping them in the bin.

When recycling remember 3 things: Wash Squash and Pop

15th October 2009

Recycled Planters
Among the entries in the children's competition to plant flowers in a recycled container during the summer, were:
Watering the Roses: Sarah Fitzpatrick
Budget Cutbacks: Lorna & Kealan Floyd
Rocket in a Rocket: Saoirse McInerney
Bird's Nest: Emily McInerney
Scooby Doo Bus: Jenny Ryan
5 pce kitchen set: Ciara Floyd
Mop Bucket: Megan Kiely, Luke & Martin Roberts
Yellow Thing: Martin & Tony Ryan
Tool Box: Emma Flanagan
Shopping Basket: Colin Floyd
Special Branch: Elizabeth Floyd
B & Q Better Value:
No more tea: Cian Flanagan
Jug of Punch:
Last Days of David Brown: Paul Hogan
Baking Tray & Brick Trolley: Kate Hogan
Football No More: Conor Floyd

Winners were chosen from those who made an extra effort to be creative and imaginative. Prizes have been presented. See pictures in our photo gallery.

1st October 2009
At the recent AGM the following committee was elected for the next year:

Chairman: Ted Moynihan

Secretary: Denis Floyd

Treasurer: Donnchadh Floyd

Committee: Martin O'Brien, Brigid O'Brien, Ger Floyd, Marie McKeogh, Geraldine Floyd , Mary Ryan, Breid Carey, Anthony Floyd, Mick Kelly, Fiona Ryan, Ann O'Dwyer, Geraldine Bourke, Tim Floydl, Teresa Gopsill, Matt Lynch, Terry Lynch, Paddy Barry, Ann Barry, Majella Foley-Friel, Bernadette Hogan.



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8th September 2009
We lost our crown as Ireland's Tidiest Village when the 2009 results were announced on Monday. At least we had the consolation of seeing the title stay in Tipperary with Emly taking over the mantle. They went one better in also being declared the overall winner. Congratulations to Emly on their great achievement. We are proud to have had the honour of being the top village for the past 3 years. Birdhill took the county award again for 2009 and also received a Gold Medal.

We've been perusing the adjudicator's report since coming back from the awards ceremony. We are very disappointed that our overall mark did not change since 2008, particularly as, in 2009, we probably did more work, undertook more projects and involved more people than in any previous year. However, we must now look forward to 2010 and start putting plans in place to regain lost ground.


25th August 2009

• Just 2 weeks to go to the announcement of the Tidy Towns results! Birdhill will be well represented at the awards ceremony in The Royal Hospital, Kilmainham on September 7th. Fingers crossed for another good year!
• Latest news on the new M7 indicate that works will be completed by the end of the year. Great progress has been made in recent months and we look forward to a quieter and more peaceful village in 2010.
• Have you tried the new loop walk from the village through the Pollaghs and 80 Acres and back on to the O'Briensbridge road? Total return distance back to the village is just over 5km. For a nice peaceful retreat and a chance to commune with nature, it is well worth the effort.

17th August 2009
The community was saddened to hear of the death of Bill Gopsill today. While we knew of his illness for some time, we were still shocked to hear of his untimely passing. Since he came to live among us just 5 years ago, Bill endeared himself to all who got to know him. One can only be amazed at the amount of people he befriended and at the impact he had on our community in such a short time. He immediately became involved in the Tidy Towns committee and proved to be an invaluable asset with his vast experience, wealth of ideas and willingness to turn his hand to all sorts of work. In his job as a pilot, Bill travelled the world and lived for various periods of time in all corners of the globe, before retiring to live in Birdhill with his wife Teresa. He became so enamoured with the place that he often echoed the sentiments of the song that Birdhill "is the nearest place to heaven." The expression "one of nature's true gentlemen" has been used to describe many people but it can be truly and fittingly applied to Bill Gopsill.
Ar dheis láimh De go raibh a anam uasal.


23rd July 2009

• There are many visitors around Birdhill these days. We have met a number of groups from other Tidy Towns Committees on a 'spying mission' checking out the opposition. Likewise, we have been on similar visits all over the country. We all learn from each other and it's amazing the ideas that can be picked up from others. It is very clear that committees nationwide are putting in huge amounts of work. It's quite obvious, too, that 2009 is a great year for flowers everywhere - the rain and the heat combining to ensure colourful blooms in all towns. And thankfully, watering requirements are minimal.
• No reports of sightings of a Tidy Towns adjudicator yet! However, it is likely that they have visited at this stage. We are happy with the appearance of the village throughout the summer. The only drawback is the Roundabout and surrounds - we are not allowed go near it and the contractor's level of maintenance is not up to that of the rest of the village.
• Have you visited the newly refurbished 'Railway Garden' at the Station? It is a nice peaceful retreat from the busy roads. The new information board gives a brief history of the railway station. Ideas for the celebration of the 150th anniversary in 2010 would be welcome.
• A new information board has also been erected at the Church, summarising the history of the beautiful Church of Our Lady of the Wayside.
• Members of the Graveyard Committee are currently seeking a name for our local cemetery. If you have any ideas please contact any member of the committee, or submit your suggestions through this website.
• Well done to those who submitted entries in the Wildlife Crossword Competition. Winners were Kealan, Cathal, Emmet and Grace. Congratulations also to all the entries in the 'Plant in a Recycled Container' competition - all the entries can be seen in the Park. Prizes for both competitions will be presented at a function later in the year.
• Had you noticed that the telephone kiosk at the old co-op was removed recently? After over 40 years service, its use had diminished, giving way to the mobile phone. But it served its purpose and was very convenient for locals and passers-by. Anyone remember what the number was?

22nd June 2009
Birdhill is looking very well at present. Flowers are beginning to display their vast array of colours. The park is a peaceful haven for families to vist The village and surrounding areas are being well maintained. People are out regularly doing their bit for 'the little village.' Keep up the good work!

Congratulations to Birdhill National School on a very successful function to raise their first Green Flag.

The recent walk in Annaholty Bog with Nuala Madigan of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council was a most enjoyable evening. Young and old learned a lot about our boglands from Nuala's vast knowledge and enthusiasm. Some of the children had their own 'bog in a bottle' to take home at the end of the evening

5 new information boards have been erected in the Pollaghs giving details of the trees, birds, mammals, wildflowers & associated insects of the area along with the fish of the Kilmastulla River.

Notice Nature: Check out this new heading on the menu bar above. There is a crossword for children and a record of the sightings of various items of flora and fauna as submitted by local people.


18th May 2009
Waste Minimisation: A successful Information Evening was held in the hall last week. A great deal of advice and information was provided. Áine McCarthy gave details of the recycling and waste disposal services provided by the Council. Liz Adair of AES spoke of their proposal to introduce a brown bin to the area to enable householders compost domestic waste. Vincent Carragher outlined the new community initiative which will measure our ecological footprint and reduce our carbon emissions. Birdhill N.S. told of the environmental works embarked upon by the staff and pupils.

Congratulations to the school on being awarded the Green Flag

Going Batty: A great crowd turned out for the talk on bats by Kate McAney of The Vincent Wildlife Trust on 14th May. Young and old enjoyed a very informative presentation. Unfortunately, the walk at dusk did not yield many sightings of bats, the evening being too cold for little creatures to stir out.

Hedgerows: Catherine Keena, Teagasc Environmental Officer attended on 15th April to talk about our hedgerows and wildlife. Another excellent presentation but a disappointing turn-out.

Access to the Park: The entrance to Páirc An Éin Fhinn has received a major facelift. In the process it has been made more user-friendly for wheelchairs, prams and buggies. Re-aligning the piers and gates, laying tarmac to the picnic area and pond, paving around the picnic table and kerbing by the roadside have made the park safer and more accessible to all.

The Railway Garden: The Tidy Village Committee recently developed a new amenity at the railway station. With the kind permission and generous support of Iarnród Éireann, a garden has been laid out adjacent to the Éircom building. The ground has been reseeded, roses and other plants sown, a seat installed, a little vegetable patch maintained and a wild area reserved at one end. This garden should be well matured for the 150th anniversary of the opening of the station in July 2010. We hope to mark this significant milestone in an appropriate manner. Perhaps we could hold a 'Reclaim Our Streets Party' in conjunction with it, in celebration of the opening of the new motorway and the removal of the heavy traffic from the village. Something to think about!


3rd April 2009
Spring Clean
Time to don the gloves and grab the pickers again. April is Spring Clean time. There is much to be done to get the village and surrounds in shape again for the summer. The road works have left their mark with margins ruined, road surfaces destroyed and all sorts of litter, big and small, strewn everywhere. Clean ups have been arranged as follows:

Sat 18th April: Main Road (Church to Lacken). Assemble in the Village at 11.00a.m.
Wed 22nd April: Newport Road, Cregough Road, Ballyhane Road, Chapel Hill & Old Road. Assemble at Cleary's Cross, The Church or Cooleen Cross at 7.00p.m.
Sat 25th April: Coosane Road (Birdhill to Fairyhall). Assemble at John Hogan's at 11.00a.m.

Litter collected in all of the above will be segregated, so that as much as possible can be recycled. It is also planned to create a 'sculpture' from some of the recycled material.


28th March 2009
1. The four Saturdays of March saw much work done in preparation for the summer season:
We had a great turnout on an unclement morning for the clean up of the Pollaghs.
Durack's Corner at Cooleen Cross has been completely refurbished. Rubble and overgrowth were removed, a new perimeter fence put in place, seating provided, adjoining embankment cleaned and levelled, a few trees planted and a replica of the old pump installed. We are indebted to Philip Ryan of Philip's Carpets & Furniture (Nenagh & Five Alley) for presenting the pump to the community. We look forward to this area being once again a meeting place for young and old.
A wonderful meitheal turned out at Cleary's Cross. The four corners were cleaned off and prepared for grass. Some trees were sown and the background was enhanced with some wildflowers/shrubs. Thanks to Nora and Elizabeth for the welcome refreshments.
The large meitheal was repeated for work at Ballyhane Cross. Again the area was cleaned off and levelled; a few trees were planted; the ground was prepared for grassing; plans were made for flower beds and the procurement of some boulders. Sincere thanks to those who turned out for any of the work days.

2. Siobhán Geraghty, Heritage Officer with North Tipp Co. Co. led the first of our 'Biodiversity Walks' on 8th March. There was a fine attendance for the walk through the Pollaghs in unfavourable weather The tea and scones were very welcome in Matt the Threshers at the end of the evening.


1st March 2009
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the number and variety of living species in a particular environment. Birdhill has a rich variety of habitats to support multiple species of flora & fauna. Our hills, lowlands, bogs, streams, hedgerows and woodlands are wonderful sources of life for us to appreciate and enjoy.
Over the next few months a series of walks will be held to enable people to explore and learn about the environment:

Sunday 8th March: The Pollaghs & Kilmastulla River. Guide Siobhán Geraghty, Heritage Officer, North Tipp Co. Co. Assemble at Matt The Threshers at 2.30p.m. Distance 4km. Waterproof footwear advisable.
Wed 15th April: Locals Hills, Fields, Drains & Hedgerows.</EM> Guide Catherine Keena, Environmental Officer with Teagasc. Assemble at The Park at 7.00p.m. Walk 3km followed by video presentation in Matt The Threshers.
Thurs 14th May: Exploring the role of bats in our environment. Assemble in Matt The Threshers at 8.00p.m. for talk and presentation, followed by 2km walk at dusk. Guide Kate McAney of the Vincent Wildlife Trust.
Wed 10th June: Boglands around Birdhill . Guide Nuala Madigan, Irish Peatland Conservation Council. Assemble at The Coopers at 8.00p.m. for talk followed by 4Km walk


February 2009

1. A representative gathering attended the Open Meeting on 3rd Feb. An overview of the work and successes in Tidy Towns was given and some proposals for the coming year were discussed. A number of people volunteered to become involved in projects in outlying areas, eg. Cleary's Cross, Cooleen Cross, Ballyhane, etc. Work in those areas will commence in March.
2. The Swap Shop was a reasonable success, with a wide variety of goods on offer to an average turn-out. Many were uncertain as to its purpose or value, but it was another step in the Race Against Waste and will be repeated in the autumn.
3. It looks as if our hopes to carry out planting on the new roundabout have come a cropper. The contractors have scuppered our plans, telling us that they alone will be responsible for maintenance for three years after completion. They still claim that May 24th is the "contractual completion date," even though all evidence is to the contrary. We will continue negotiations in the hope of having an input into landscaping.
4. Among the items discussed at our last meeting on Feb 17th were:

• Some paving and tarmac in the Park to improve access for prams and wheelchairs.
• Providing walking access from the Pollaghs to the new lake in the Eighty Acres.
• Erecting Information Boards on the flora and fauna of the Pollaghs.
• Dealing with invasive species in the area (eg Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed, Mink, etc.)
• Projects to involve the school children.
• Installation of Boulders with the Birdhill name and logo.
• Exploring Birdhill's biodiversity.
• Arranging guided walks of the area.
• Events for National Tree Week.

January 2009

• Welcome to a new year. The weather at present might not be conducive to Tidy Towns activities but our sub-committees are busy finalising their reports and planning for the year ahead.
• An Open Meeting will be held in the local hall on Tuesday 3rd February at 8.00p.m. to get a broader spectrum of views and hopefully involve members of the wider community.
• The committee published a leaflet providing advice on minimising waste at Christmas and also enabling community members to assess their own attitudes to waste minimisation and energy conservation. The prize for the accompanying Children's Wordsearch Competition was won by Eimear Delaney from Cregough. See copy of the leaflet on this website.
• We are embarking on a new venture next month.
• A Swap Shop has been arranged for Sat 7th February in the local hall. Local people will have the opportunity to bring various goods that they might swap with someone else for other items that may be of use to them. No money will change hands. This is a pilot project and if successful it could be a regular event.
• We provided a facility for locals to dispose of their Christmas Trees early in the New Year. See picture in our Picture Gallery of Martin and company loading up before departing for Nenagh