THE enthusiastic Millstreet Tidy Town Association dwelled into an analysis of its 2009 submission that earned a rewarding nine mark increase in the national competition. Jumping from 275 to 284 points it follows a 53 mark increase over the previous six years.

The positive reaction from the Tidy Towns adjudicator together with a number of exciting developments in the pipeline augurs well for the future. Some eighty five towns and villages entered the tidy towns within County Cork, Millstreet maintaining its high ranking position.

The positive feedback from the Adjudicator gives a dedicated Millstreet Tidy Towns Association the impetus to continue with a series of projects to enhance the town's image.

A review of the adjudicators reports reads

Overall Development Approach: The map was a most helpful masterpiece, the adjudicator did not avail of the guided tours through the town as described by the submission, preferring to wander, see, experience and hear. And there was much to experience. The present generation of Millstreet Tidy Towns enthusiasts have much to thank previous committees for as the fruit of their labours are sprinkled proudly throughout the town. One senses a frustration with the marks being awarded. Are they so important?

Imagine how future generations of committees will thank you for the legacy amassing for them. Congratulations on the three year plan. The work planned for last year is a proud testimony to ongoing effort.

This adjudicator was particularly impressed by the before and after photographs. It takes foresight to take photos before the work commences. One is certain that that policy is ongoing and future adjudicators will enjoy the comparison between then and now. It is obvious that the Association gets much co-operation from the local community. The type of finance mentioned did not appear at the end of a rainbow.

The Built Environment: Millstreet is obviously an old town that has experienced many golden ages. It is now a town in transition and that transition is being well managed. As a town changes lack of occupancy of buildings lead to dereliction, causing problems for the TTA. But this challenge is being met, the town is blessed with fine heritage buildings which are still resplendent though the Bank of Ireland could dispense with the faded Bureau de Change sign. One looks forward to the outcome of the work on the Church. The Credit Union building, the fire station, the schools, the Green Glens Arena all look well. The County Council Offices need an uplift, the Garda Station could also do with paint. The creche on route to the park was a delight. The adjudicator loved the Railway building and great credit is due for the colourful welcome or slán to the passenger. While not all shop fronts enhanced the streetscape, the fronts at Reen's, the Bush Bar, Christy's, Corkery's and many others are eye catching.

Landscaping: Millstreet values landscaping. No matter which road one takes into town one is welcomed by the glorious public planting and the private colour provided by local residents. One has to be impressed by the standard of maintenance of the many beds and by the renewal of older landscaped areas. The brightly painted buildings in the town are further enlivened by window boxes and flower tubs. Plans will further improve the town. The new recreational area on the Clara Road is a gem, the walk is beautiful, the information board represents research and hard work and is most interesting. In fact Millstreet is a great town for information boards describing its proud past and providing relevant information for local and tourist alike.

The move to providing pieces of sculpture, as at Clara and Murphys Terrace, is interesting and a themed provision of pieces throughout the town could add a new dimension to prettying your town. The hedge at the Recycling Centre provides an interesting screen on railway road. The landscaping around the Railway Station, the Community School and the Green Glens Arena are most impressive. The only sign of negligence is around the Fairfield car park back area. The submission mentions a lot of winter planting, this means that all of the work is not directed at an adjudicator. Great.

Wildlife and Natural Amenities: Well done on the mention of a Wildlife Area on the Clara Road amenity area and on the information board. The riverside walk is most refreshing and one hopes the locals make use of it. Plans for walks are of major importance and one hopes the full support of landowners is forthcoming. Millstreet is set in a beautiful area and with mountains and forests as a backdrop, a river and a stream the place abounds with wild life. The efforts to date are praiseworthy but the potential is staggering.

Litter Control: Efforts are paying off in this section. The provision of litter bins are being used. Even in the beautiful Town Park there was little litter about. Teenagers were seen using the bins. Nevertheless the adjudicator could not find a bin at Centra to dispose of an apple core! Unfortunately there were instances of dumping in the back areas.

Waste Minimisation: Congratulations on the Green Flags in the schools. The achievement of Green Flag status means that a waste elimination mentality exists in Millstreet among all generations. The Recycling Centre is a hive of activity with cars coming and going all the time. The presence of a recycling centre means that the waste of Millstreet is being well managed. All of the activity at the centre means that minimisation is still not being achieved. As an exercise over the winter, study the booklet 'Race Against Waste'. It would surely stimulate new waste minimisation projects.

Tidiness: The Millstreet Tidy Towns Committee are entitled to take a bow for the wireless streetscape throughout the town, a worthwhile project and a great result. Also noteworthy is the absence of graffiti. War seems also to have been waged on cigarette butts and dumped chewing gum. Early treatment of kerbs meant that there are very few kerbside weeds.

Inevitably construction work brings unease and untidiness but is a necessary irritant. Millstreet is a busy town but the traffic management plans seem to be working. Special mention must be made of various directional signs about the town but especially in the town park

Residential Areas: Magnificent, ranging from the old as in Murphy Terrace to the new at Drishane. The estate signs are badges of identity. The houses are well maintained. The fronts are aglow with colour. The landscaping is tasteful and well maintained. The adjudicator could not find a sign for the wonderful estate by the new amenity area on the Clara Road. The residents deserve to be acknowledged with a name sign. The amenity or picnic area at Murphys Terrace is a credit. Individual houses display the deep pride of the residents.

Roads, Streets and Back Areas: On arrival into Millstreet one is greeted by a sign declaring your proud twinning partner. All of the routes to town are well maintained thanks to constant verge cutting, cared for shrubberies and beds, and imaginative, colourful fronts of houses. The Grotto on the Clara route is the fruit of the labours of another age and might be forgotten in our new age. There are spots where businesses should be asked to screen their activities and failing this maybe colourful flower barrels would deflect the eye. The adjudicator loved the use of cotoneaster as a groundcover up at Alps, well maintained and effective. Generally the approach road by the Community School was superb but treatment of the fence is needed. This was the only route on which the dreaded buachalan buí was beginning to peep out. The back area around Fairfield is a black spot between dereliction and lack of maintenance of shrubberies. Targeting the street at Radharc an Mhuilinn is difficult work but it must be done. According to the submission other derelict and disused buildings have disappeared. The red paint on the Mill window boards is a great idea but fails to hide the fact that this building belongs to another age. Minor Row does not have the same bustle as further up the street and the buildings are lacking in the joi de vivre experienced from the square down. Some of the signs in town need to be cared for.

General Impression: Keep up the good work and do not be overly influenced by the jaundiced eye of the adjudicator for the Tidy Towns Association is making an impression on the life of the town. The work is impressive, the town needs the involvement of the Association, other generations will respect that work. Perversely the Muileann has been lost from Sráid an Mhuilinn but the town lives on in new circumstances. Imagine what would happen to the town without your courageous and dedicated involvement.

BIG MATCH EXCITEMENT:

The Cork and Kerry clash in Sunday's eagerly awaited All Ireland senior football final is arousing terrific interest with dwellings and schools suitably decorated. RTE cameras visited Millstreet Presentation Convent National School last week and a slot is to feature on Saturday night's Up for the Match programme.

BUS TRIPS:

Kealy's Luxury Coaches offer a College bus to Cork and Limerick . Additionally, this weekend, there a a trip coinciding with the Padre Pio Pilgrimage

Upcoming for the National Ploughing Championship in Athy, there are trips scheduled September 22/23/24 to Athy, Co. Kildare

Also scheduled is Great Value 5 Day Northern Break s from October 5-9. The guided tour costs €359 per person dinner, bed and breakfast in a four-star hotel. For any information on the trips comtact 029 79016 or 087 7994045.

FRIENDS OF MALLOW HOSPITAL:

The Friends of Mallow Hospital host their annual Church Gate Collection in Millstreet on September 19/20.

PIPE BAND:

Millstreet Pipe Band is currently seeking new members. For anybody wishing to join the Band, please come along to the Enrolment night in the Creche (beside the Millstreet Car Park) on this Friday night at 8pm.

COFFEE MORNING:

A Coffee Morning in aid of Marymount Hospice takes place in Millstreet GAA Community Hall on this Friday from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

BALLYDALY SOCIAL GROUP:

LIVING SCENES:

SET DANCING:

A new season of set dancing commences in Ballydaly Hall on Wednesday, September 23, and operates from 8.30-10pm. A beginners session is underway at 8pm. Further details available from 087-2846906.

THANKSGIVING MASS:

PILGRIMAGE:

The Group hosts a Coffee Morning on this Thursday night between 8-10pm with proceeds benefiting Marymount Hospice.

The fifth year to the Living Scenes Intergenerational Project is upcoming. Any adults interested on participating can receive further information from Millstreet Community School Chaplin John Magee at 029-70087.

The sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred heart, invite you to a Mass of thanksgiving for their foundress on Thursday, September 17, at Holy Cross Church, Charleveille at 7.30pm. At least two Sisters of St. Joseph have come from the Millstreet Parish: St. Maria Moynihan, Flintfield and Sr. Kathleen Murphy, Coolikerane.

A Pilgrimage to Fatima takes place from October 10 from Cork entailing a seven day visit. Spiritual Director is Fr. Donal O'Brien and tour director is Pádraig O'Driscoll. For further details contact (029) 70030/ (026) 41342. Limited seats are available.