Belturbet sets sights on rejoining Tidy Towns comp

With a new committee now installed, the town of Belturbet is setting its sights on rejoining the National Tidy Towns Competition in the coming years.

It follows a series of recent public meetings through which an appeal was issued to those living locally to get involved in initiatives around the erneside town.

“The work has to be done,” says newly elected Tidy Town’s chair, Mark McGuinness, who is quick to pay firm tributes to past volunteers for their efforts over the years.

He says what’s most important about the recent push is developing a “sustained” effort right throughout the year, not just during the summer months.

The committee has been encouraged by the response within the community to the recent National Spring Clean.

In Belturbet alone 11 tonnes of trash was collected, and the clean up involved members of new communities living in the town, and representatives of local clubs - Rory O’Moore’s GAA, Bounce Back, and local schools.

“It’s very much about getting the town back on track, and the community working together as one,” says Mark.

Brian McDermott, co-chair, agrees. But he says the work doesn’t stop now. He hopes that locals can begin looking after their own respective areas too.

“We’ve 10 here tonight but really we could do with 20,” he says of the group’s work to clear the pathways down by the river. “We’ve got to reach again, and if they can’t come to the group clean, well at least they could look after and take responsibility for their own areas.”

The Tidy Towns is being supported too by Tús, RSS, CCLD, and also members from the local Men’s Shed. Funding has also been sought through Pobal and the Cavan-Belturbet Municipal District.

The riverbank, Brian believes, is a critical point of access in terms of tourism.

“The river and what we have here is a real jewel in the crown. We have to make sure it looks right.”

Independent Brendan Fay is treasurer within the new committee.

“What we did with the Spring clean is work on the outskirts of the town. Now our focus is on the inside, Saturday mornings, Tuesday evenings. It’s putting it out there that Tidy Towns is for everyone,” says Cllr Fay, who with the committee intends to see a town plan drawn up for the cutting of hedges, pulling of weeds, maintenance of verges and other essentials.

Beyond that, he notes the ambition of the committee is to see local estates recognised in Pride of Place Awards, and even have Belturbet re-enter and compete in the National Tidy Towns’ Competition.

“Not this year, let’s be positive, but the next year after to see Belturbet entered into Tidy Towns. That’s the goal, to have pride in place and pride in our town.”