More flower power in Belturbet

The Belturbet Tidy Towns committee boosted by growing numbers are working with great creativity to enhance all areas of the town with a view to increasing the points received in the national competition this year. The vice chairman of the committee, John Scott, said they came up some new initiatives this year to enhance the appearance of Belturbet in view of the fact that it is the 400th anniversary of the town. He said all the tidy towns people are doing outstanding work preparing for the anniversary celebrations, together with the Festival of the Erne Committee and the Town Council. Cllr. Scott also expects the town to get a good spin-off from the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil and it is imperative that Belturbet is looking well for the arrival of visitors. He also thanked Cllr. Paddy Brady for making the large flower boxes known as planters. People passing by are admiring the design and creativity involved and they have brought a new dimension to the flower arrangements in the town. Cllr. Scott called on everyone to keep the footpaths clean outside the premises and homes. "It is a case of everyone doing a little to achieve success," he said. Margaret Reynolds who is the treasurer of the committee also revealed that they put up three new entrance signs to the town. They are bilingual signs and also urge people to keep the town tidy. She revealed that they also go out and spray visible weeds and do a general clean-up on Tuesday evenings and on other occasions when deemed necessary. They also ensure that the back streets are litter-free and all weeds are eliminated. Clár provided 50% of the funding for the signs and the committee is currently fundraising to raise the remainder of the cost, amounting to around €1,800. The mechanical sweeper visits the town on a couple of occasions each week and this ensures the streets are clean. The secretary of the committee, Eileen McKiernan, said that from looking back through the records of the town council 200 years ago, she learned that the residents of the town would be fined if they did not keep the area outside their own premises clean. Eileen said that message still pertains today and she appeals to people to ensure they look after this aspect of keeping the town free from litter. The chairman of the Tidy Towns Committee, Tony Prior, said there is a better energy around the town this year and more people are commenting that the place is looking well. He thanked everyone in the town for their support and "we hope to see our points climbing even higher this year". Mr. Prior said they came up well in the recent county litter league, which was also very encouraging, as well as the new people joining the tidy towns effort. New members include Stephen Shannon, Cait Barber, Brendan McCann and Cllrs. Paddy Brady and Michael Lee and of course Martina Brady and Paddy Reilly, have been long-standing members. The chairman, Mr. Prior, also acknowledged the great work of Bernard Little, who is sponsored by FÁS on the Jobs Initiative Scheme and he looks after all the grass cutting, flower beds and litter all year round, five days a week. He is ably assisted by Seamus Monaghan and Bernard Curry, who share work at the Railway, the GAA and the Tidy Towns. Mr. Prior also acknowledged the great work carried out by Cavan County Council.