Birdhill Tidy Towns

COMPETITION FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN

Create a flower presentation in a recycled container

Children of the Birdhill area are invited to participate in a novel competition focusing on environmental awareness and presentation. This has been very successful over the last few years, with some very imaginative ideas.

1. Find a container that would otherwise not be put to any practical use.
2. Bring it to Birdhill Community Park on Wed 30th May and plant summer bedding flowers in it. The container must be capable of being carried by hand into the park by not more than 2 people.
3. Soil, compost and a variety of flowers will be available in the park for participants to choose from. Parents and family members may help the children preparing their presentation. It is also allowed to bring the container already prepared and planted.
4. The competition is open to school-going children (Primary & Post Primary).
5. Children may participate individually or in groups of not more than 3.
6. Participants are expected to tend and maintain their presentation during the summer. The Tidy Village Committee will arrange to have them watered regularly if required.
7. Participants must remove their container at the end of the summer.
8. Prizes will be awarded (on a date to be decided) for the most novel container, best presentation, best maintained, etc.)


Remember the date: Wednesday 30th May at 7.30p.m.

So look for a suitable container and get planting.

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May Newsletter

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20th April 2012

Nest Box
After many technical hitches, our nest box is now live on the internet. Thanks to Brett for burning the midnight oil over the last few weeks and for dedicating many hours to getting it up and running. The blue tit has prepared the nest and appears to be laying at present. We look forward to the hatching.
Enjoy observing and if you see any unusual activity, be sure to contact us.

Community Day
The following sub-committee has been put in place to plan our annual Community Day:
Aileen Campion (Chair), Terry Griffith (Sec), Geraldine Raddie, Brett Fitzpatrick, Tony Ryan, Willie O'Shea, Gráinne Delaney, Margaret Clifford.
If you have any ideas for possible novel activities for the day, please contact us.

Woodland Path
Work has commenced on the new Woodland Path in the Village. The path has been laid out and surfaced and we hope to get it fenced off during the next few weeks. This will be a great new community amenity when complete.
The path will be used to set out a Literary Trail, featuring well-known quotes, of local, environmental and community interest. There will also be an opportunity for locals to have their name included with the Literati by composing a line of not more than 30 words, relevant to our own environment or heritage. One quote will be chosen by an independent adjudicator. Entries before 1st May in writing or by email to the Chairman or Secretary.


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9th April 2012

Easter Celebrations
There was great involvement and participation by the local community in our Easter activities:

• A large gathering attended the Dawn Mass in the Park. The sun failed to appear on a cloudy morning, but the dawn chorus provided a wonderful backdrop. The midges, however were very active, causing some discomfort.
• Later in the morning, we had a huge turnout of young and old in the Park to meet the Easter Bunny, take part in the search for Easter eggs, partake in the refreshments and mingle with the neighbours.
• Sincere thanks to those who baked, providing many tasty cakes and buns for sale and for consumption on the day.
• Thanks to Gráinne who provided her regular 'face-painting' service, much loved by the children.
• Thanks to everyone who helped out with the catering, ticket-selling and decorating the eggs.
• Thanks to 'Mr. Bunny' who carried out his duties impeccably.
• A special word to Majella, Aileen and Geraldine who did all the groundwork and preparations.

Community Day
For the past two years we have organised very successful Community Days in Birdhill. Planning for this year's event will commence on Thursday 19th with a meeting in The Coopers at 8.30pm. Anyone who would like to be involved in the preparation, or with ideas for particular activities, is welcome to attend or make contact with any of the committee.

Spring Clean
The annual clean-up commences on Sat 21st and will continue during the following week in different parts of the locality. We appeal for as much support as possible. See Newsletter for full details.

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April Newsletter

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11th February 2012

Quiz
Many thanks to all who supported our Valentine's Table Quiz. A fine attendance enjoyed an entertaining night. The winning team was Padraig Kennedy, Michael Kelly, Ger & Breda Floyd. Second place: John Delaney, James Flanagan, Tim Floyd & Tom Mulryan.

Focus Meeting
An Open Meeting will be held in Matt The Threshers on Wed 15th Feb, commencing at 8.00pm to enable our local Focus Groups formulate their ideas and proposals for the year. All are welcome to attend and voice their opinions on improvements in their own local areas, on community activities and on items of general Tidy Towns interest. A representative of Glance Promotions will also attend to outline their proposals for a Visitor Tourism Centre in Birdhill.

Allotments
Arrangements have now been put in place to commence our 'Allotments Project'. Tilling will be done as soon as the weather is suitable. Sincere thanks to Martin O'Brien for making an ideal patch of land available.


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8th January 2012


Spring has arrived?
The snowdrop, pictured in Birdhill Village on 27th December, is a clear indication of how mild our 'winter' has been. 12 months ago we were looking out at snow, ice and frost and fearing the attendant damage. This year, nature is re-awakening early and reminding us to start planning for a new season.
Our executive committee has its first meeting arranged for January 18th. Our sub-committees are getting together to finalise their deliberations and formulate plans for 2012. Tá an bhliain nua linn. Tá coistí nua curtha le chéile againn agus táimid ag féachaint ar aghaidh le dóchas don séasúr úr.

• Our Christmas Wonderland in the Park on December 18th proved to be a novel and worthwhile venture. Young and old enjoyed the wide assortment of goodies generously provided by members of the community. Thanks to all who helped in preparing the Park and creating a magical atmosphere for the evening. Santa, of course, was the central figure and he didn't disappoint, in spite of the problems with his reindeer - the local 'cavalry' came to the rescue. Crafts, music, good food and drink all contributed to the festive cheer. (See our Photo Gallery for some pictures of the evening).

• We had 2 very enjoyable and well-attended community walks over the Christmas/New Year period. We kept to the local highways and byways to appreciate what our own environment has to offer.(Picture shows some of the participants before the 'off' on December 27th)

• Thanks to all who supported our hampers raffle before Christmas. Lucky winners included Megan Kiely, Lily O'Grady, Pa Floyd, Denis O'Dwyer, Amo Wixted.

• We are very fortunate to have acquired a site for the proposed Community Allotments. Those interested in availing of the facility should assemble outside the Shannonside Business Park on the Killaloe Road at 11.00am on Sat 4th Feb when arrangements will be discussed.

• Have you got your team together for our Table Quiz in The Coopers on Fri 10th February. There will be a mix of questions to suit all ages and emphasis will be on fun and enjoyment. As it is Valentine's weekend, focus will be on love and romance.

• Again this year we facilitated the collection of Christmas Trees for shredding. 8 houses availed of the service. Picture shows Mike ready to take off with the first load

10 members of the community along with 8 pupils from 6th class at Birdhill N.S. are currently engaged in surveying the birds of the locality. We look forward to their findings later in the spring.

Congratulations to Michelle Kiely, winner of the voucher for the 'Birdsearch' in our December newsletter.