A Town to Visit

LadyWell Street

Market Street

Have you noticed the many bright and delightfully colourful shop and house facades there are in Thomastown this Summer? There is a buzz about the Town and a spring in the step of residents enjoying and appreciating what has been done. Residents have contributed to this situation of their own accord and in so many different ways. Not only have there been many paint brushes and power wash machines busy at work but ownership of some of the planters around the town are now the responsibility of resident volunteers and litter is being kept in check by an ever-increasing number of helpers.
The improvement in Thomastown this year has been driven by a desire to be proud of our Town and the satisfaction of being part of that improvement process. It just shows what can be achieved if we put our hearts into it.
The Committee is delighted with the spirit of enthusiastic cooperation with which assistance has been offered and many things done. The Town is looking really great.
Congratulations to all and take a bow.

Thomastown Tidy Towns Committee

Clay troughs, The Fountain, Thomastown, County Kilkenny, IRELAND

Thanks to the staff of Thomastown Pottery Skills Course who specially made the clay pots for the ledges of the fountain wall.

Summer Colour, Thomastown, County Kilkenny, IRELAND

At the beginning of June, 3 members of the Tidy Towns Committee put up 20 hanging baskets - in Market Street, The Quay, and Maudlin Street and 3 flowering troughs - two on the church walls of Market Street and one infront of the Sessions Building in Logan Street. All are now in full flower - a riot of colour!

Thanks goes to both Eamon Hanrahan for providing the baskets and the troughs and to the Watergardens for the baskets in Mauldin/Chapel Streets. Thanks also to Pat Burke of VAS for nuturing the plants.

The terraced planters, planters and tubs are thriving.

Thanks also to members of the community who are helping to look after some of these plants.

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

FRIDAY 05 JUNE 2009

Celebrating World Environment Day:
What You Can Do For A Cleaner Greener Thomastown

What is World Environment Day (WED)?
World Environment Day (WED) has been celebrated throughout the world every year since 1972. WED takes place each year on 05 June. The purpose of WED is to raise awareness about our environment.

What happens on WED?
Each year the event is celebrated in over 100 participating countries. This year’s host country is Mexico. Thousands of events are taking place across the globe to mark WED. Visit http://www.unep.org/ for more information.

So how can you Green Your Routine?

Reduce, reuse and recycle.
Plant a tree.
Conserve water.
Switch off lights when not needed.
Say no to plastic.
Use reusable containers for food storage.
Use both sides of a piece of paper.
Start a recycling system in the office.
Use eco-friendly products.
Drive less.
Walk more.
Get a bike.
Get involved locally - join Thomastown Tidy Towns!

Watch a free movie on WED!
WED sees the worldwide premiere at cinemas, on DVD, TV and internet of the highly acclaimed beautifully-shot movie ‘HOME’ by world-renowned photographer Yann Arthus-Betrand. You can download ’HOME’ for free on:
http://www.home-2009.com/


UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL BIODIVERSITY DAY
FRIDAY 22 MAY 2009


Retaining and Restoring Biodiversity in Thomastown: How You Can Help

What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity means the variety of all living things in the world, including all plants and animals from the bumble bee to you and me. Biodiversity provides the essentials needed for life - oxygen, clean water, a range of foods, clothing, health and relaxation.

Why is it so important?
Biodiversity is essential for the many resources we depend on in life. Without the complex network of biological systems, habitats and species, the support systems that sustain human life would cease to exist. Without the bumble bee, there would be no you and me! Biodiversity enriches all our lives, and we should seek to safeguard it for future generations.

Countdown 2010
Governments throughout the world have promised to save biodiversity by 2010. Each EU country must take specific steps to move from words to action. At a local level small changes in the way you do things in your home, garden, school and community will minimise the impact you have on the environment.

10 Steps You Can Take In The Home, Garden, School and Community
Reduce, reuse and recycle.
Compost as much as possible.
Buy local produce with minimal packaging.
Buy what you need.
Consider growing your own fruit and vegetables.
Drink less bottled water.
Use energy-efficient bulbs.
Reduce use of household detergents.
Look for alternatives to weed-killer, pesticides and insecticides.
Conserve water.

Get Involved Locally
If you have an idea for a community-based project which will help restore and retain biodiversity in our community, please contact the Tidy Towns Committee on Tel: 087 2186309.

Further Information:
http://www.noticenature.ie/ http://www.npws.ie/ http://www.repak.ie/ http://www.change.ie/ http://www.enfo.ie/
http://www.kilkennycoco.ie/ http://www.sei.ie/ http://www.unep.org/ http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/ http://www.environ.ie/

THOMASTOWN TIDY TOWNS Projects 2008/9 Farrell's Fountain Restoration

THOMASTOWN TIDY TOWNS Projects 2008/2009 Restoration of the Waterpumps

National Spring Clean - April 2009

Our Spring Clean operation this year took place on the first three Saturdays of April and was attended in total by 63 people. Eighteen separate areas were visited and resulted in the collection of 57 bags of litter, (27 of general mixed litter, 19 of plastic bottles and 11 of aluminium cans).
We wish to thank everyone who helped and in particular the Scouts of Thomastown.