Tidy Towns

Overall Developmental Approach:
Thank you for your ‘Scenes from Ballacolla’ photographic album and 5 year development plan.
Together they provide a fine record of what you have , and have yet to achieve. With 20 active
members on your committee, Ballacolla Tidy Towns Committee is one of the most representative in
the county. This is reflected in many ways; most residential and business premises are maintained
to a high level and public landscaping at the cross roads and approaches are exceptional. The
continued interest in your wildlife park is a very welcome extension of your work.
The Built Environment:
Within the general area of the village centrepiece - the cross roads and colourful landscaping - are
are a number of differing house styles from old to modern and of varying attractiveness. The older
buildings maintain their intrinsic village style, the newer perhaps not so well. These could benefit
from the addition of trees along the street frontage. The old schoolhouse looks very well with its
window boxes. There are a couple of instances of deriliction on the left beside the thatched house.
The church looks clean and tidy with good wall along its front. The house adjacent to the church
displays a fine array of colourful plants, etc. The school looks fine, as does the garda station,
Hawthorn pub and Katies Corner. There is excellent signposting for the community centre and
wildlife park.
Landscaping:
The village cross roads provide a very colourful centrepiece for the village. Delightfully presented
planters of colourful flowers on the three corners set the scene, with a water pump feature adding
interest. Entrance to GAA Park is good with its flower boxes and plants opposite the gate. Flowers
set into the house wall next to the school looks interesting. The planter, which runs up towards the
Glanbia Yard, looked somewhat uninteresting but the line of trees on the right are excellent. Hayes
Pub with its hanging baskets and window boxes looked quite well. The new Fáilte flower bed on the
Durrow Road is maturing nicely.
Wildlife and Natural Amenities:
Access to the wildlife park is good, as is the car park in front of the community hall. Trees have been
planted to screen the school play area. Hawthorn Wildlife Sanctuary is outstanding. Trees and wild
grasses and shrubs are maturing and are encouraging the arrival of a variety of wildlife. Wheelchair
accessible pathways are highly commended.
Litter Control:
Your litter control programme is working well, the result, no doubt, of education, raising awareness
and maintaining pride in your village.
Tidiness:
Apart from a coulple of instances of deriliction and an unfinished building site, Ballacolla has no
serious problem with tidiness. Recycling bins were noted at side of community centre. There was
some uncertain signage hanging from overhead cables close to the church.
Residential Areas:
Residences surrounding the village are generally presented to a high level. St. Fergals Park was
clean and tidy. As indicated on the entry form, work was ongoing in the park where septic tank
problems are being addressed.
Roads, Streets and Back Areas:
The four approaches to Ballacolla give a fine impression with its Tidy Town Signs set in a planter of
colourful flowers. These are very well maintained open green areas which feature maturing trees and
cut banks leading towards picnic areas with stone table and seats and floral displays. The
connection to the village cross roads is effected by footpath, well maintained private gardens and
wall frontages. Each is very well maintained and raises interest levels in the village itself.
General Impression:
The evident active participation by the community in raising the standards in both private and public
village facilities is commended. In particular, the ongoing development of the Hawthorn Wildlife
Park is very welcome indeed.
Second Round Adjudication:
Ballacolla is a delightful small village developed around the crossroads of the R434 and the R433.
The committee's membership of twenty, in a population of 189, is to be highly commended. There
is a wonderful feeling of community in the village. The committee's dedicated work can be seen in
both the extent of projects and the care and detail given to each. Well done. The bronze medal
award in 2000 on the stone plaque at the entrance to the village was noted. The village centre at
the crossroads was simple but very attractive, with its flower pots, planters, seats and even a pump.
The entry roads into the village all had very well maintained verges and the adjudicator noted, in
particular, the stone name signs on all the roads - a nice detail. The one on the Abbeyleix road
would need some attention as it is being covered with tall grasses and brambles. There was no litter
seen on the day of adjudication and the reason can be seen, with the daily trawl by the school
children. Congratulations to both the committee and the pupils. The adjudicator considered the
overhead cables in places most obtrusive and their under-grounding should be a project by the
committee, in co-operation with the ESB and the county council. The stone wall of the Hawthorn
Lodge was noted with its delightful semi-circular recesses with planters. The Wild Life Park is to be
highly commended; the entire village seems to be included in its development, but especially the
pupils of the adjoining school. The recycling unit and the wormery are outstanding community
efforts. It is hoped that the leaking septic tank and filtration bed will be repaired soon and possibly
its siting replanned. The church grounds were well kept. The cottage opposite the church has now
been re-thatched and painted. The committee should now consider the adjoining house. The
Five-Year Development Plan is remarkable for the extent of work envisaged. Take it step by step
and not overextend the wonderful committee members.