Tidy towns ambassadors celebrated at Athlone prize-giving ceremony

The winners of the annual local Athlone tidy towns awards were hailed at a ceremony in the town last week Minister for the Environment, Heritage and local Government Phil Hogan presented prizes at the ceremony in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel. The awards, sponsored by Athlone Tidy Towns and the Athlone Town Council, followed competitions for the Best Kept Estates, Best Presented Business and Schools, Public Buildings and the Best Kept Garden, which were held during the summer months. In addition, the Minister launched the new Athlone Tidy Towns website, www.athlonetidytowns.ie, which will be used to generate public interest and involvement in town of Athlone and its environment. The Minister also emphasised the importance of the nurturing a stronger level of voluntary participation in the efforts of Athlone Tidy Town by the general public and he thanked all those already signed up, in particular the voluntary effort made by members of Athlone Resident Associations, which was marked by this nights Awards ceremony. The Town Mayor, Councillor Alan Shaw, who is a member of the Tidy Towns Committee, welcomed the Minister to the event. He referred to the launch of the website and the development of the Strategic Plan and called for a major drive in volunteerism in Athlone to help the Tidy Towns Committee implement their plan. He acknowledged the financial contribution that the Town Council made to the committee and that Athlone is up for the challenge to build a team and transform our town in the coming years. In opening the awards ceremony the Chairman of Athlone Tidy Towns, John Butler, thanked all those who participated in this year's competitions and the many other community groups and businesses who worked hard to make Athlone look attractive and litter free. He particularly thanked the National Learning Network and the Probation Service for their efforts in assisting the Tidy Towns Committee. He also paid tribute to the Town Council for their ongoing support and co-operation. Meanwhile, Deputy Nicky McFadden thanked the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government for his support for the tidy towns awards. "I was delighted that Minister Hogan accepted the invitation to visit Athlone and I was proud to show him the wonderful community effort taking place," Deputy McFadden said. She said: "I have always believed that Athlone is a wonderful place to visit and tourists should be welcomed. It is vital that when tourists do arrive they see an attractive and litter free town. We have so much to offer in the line of cultural, scenic and historical tours, water activities, restaurants and music."