Cllr Trevor Smith with Jonathon Jackson (Sandar Construction Ltd) at the site of the new Fire Station in Ballyjamesduff.PHOTOS: ALEX COLEMAN

‘Look for Local’ this Christmas

Cllr Smith highlights projects carried out or progressing locally in the Ballyjamesduff area

As the festive season approaches Cllr Trevor Smith says Ballyjamesduff is looking forward to Christmas: “The festive feeling is beginning to start. We put up the tree this week. The Community Council hope to avail of the funding to put up the Christmas lights again this year, when we get them up it will enhance the Christmas atmosphere.”

This festive season is going to be different to previous years, but Cllr Smith believes people value their local community: “A lot of businesses were impacted by Covid. I hope people continue to support local businesses as we come close to Christmas.

“I think people got their eyes opened, during lockdown. When they spent money locally, the town benefitted. I believe people saw that. The County Council ran a successful ‘Look for Local’ campaign. Things aren’t easy, but people are supporting local,” Trevor tells.

A significant amount of infrastructural work was undertaken in the last 12 months: “Ballyjamesduff Community Council has been very busy. The tennis courts and the Courthouse were revamped. The Community Council leased the courthouse from the County Council and refurbished it. We had an official re-opening during the year. Other projects, like the extension of the Nuns’ Walk, have really enhanced the leisure facilities in the town. The Nuns’ Walk now links the town with the museum.”

Cllr Smith says Cavan County Museum has been wonderful for the town: “It’s a massive benefit. Pre Covid there were 30,000 visitors to the museum every year. If we can get a small percentage of the visitors into the town to spend some money, it will be of tremendous assistance to all the businesses in Ballyjamesduff.”

During the year the local authority operated the Street Enhancement scheme. Trevor says there was a good response to it: “There was €80,000 available to businesses for painting and shop front work. There was a good uptake from a lot of Ballyjamesduff businesses.”

Cllr Smith highlights other projects carried out or progressing locally, like the €1.5 million investment in the new fire station, which should be completed mid 2021; street resurfacing in Mountnugent; footpath extension in Kilnaleck and drainage work in Crosskeys.

“I would like to thank the many staff of Cavan County Council who have been helpful and supportive during the year,” he said.

For Trevor the efforts of the community in the last 12 months have kept Ballyjamesduff looking good: “I really want to compliment groups like the Community Council and the Tidy Towns who have worked so hard for the town.”

“This past year has been sad for many families who have lost their loved ones, we keep them especially in our thoughts,” Cllr Smith said before concluded by sending caring thoughts to all this Christmas and New Year.