1st November 2024.

There was a mix of anticipation and anxiety as three of our members mingled at Croke Park with hundreds of Tidy Town volunteers from all over the country for the annual SuperValu Tidy Towns Awards.  The crossed fingers and whispered prayers did their work, and there was joy and relief when Marty Morrissey announced that – for the 4th year in a row – Wexford Tidy Towns had won the Gold Medal award

While we were limited to 3 representatives on the day, the credit for this national recognition, and the shiny medal, is shared by a large bunch of tireless volunteers, who have turned up and worked hard throughout the year, in all kinds of weather and conditions, sharing their time, skills and cheerful company  to make Wexford a cleaner, brighter and more attractive town for its residents and many visitors.

Of course, in 2024 Wexford hosted Fleadh Cheoil Na hEireann, with an estimated 650,000 visitors during the 8 days in early August when the competitions and festivities took place.  Wexford Tidy Towns played a huge part in managing the cleanliness and appearance of the town, working with the Green Team to co-ordinate two daily shifts of volunteers, ensuring the visitors were greeted with clean and tidy Wexford streets and lanes.  A special thanks to all for their efforts in that hectic week!

Achieving Gold Medal status shows us that we are doing the right things.  Gold awards for four years in a row shows that we are consistently reaching, and going beyond, this standard.  In 2024 the marks awarded increased from 351 to 363 – significantly our marks in each of the 8 categories had all increased over 2023 – see the 2024 Adjudicators Report

We would like to sincerely thank Staff and Councillors from Wexford Local Authorities, who have consistently lent their support, providing funding and manpower to effect improvements to our town,  always taking on board projects promoted by our group, and suggestions from NTT adjudicators.  A number of our Councillors regularly give their time to help out at our cleanups and other projects.

Thanks also to the local businesses who have helped by keeping their own premises invitingly clean,  and especially to those who annually  participate in the Wexford in Bloom summer flowering project,  and of course to those who have kindly provided refreshments to our volunteers at the end of  the hard hours of work making our town sparkle.

Not forgetting the many Housing Estates and Community Groups who regularly organize their own cleanups, painting and planting and maintain their areas in top condition.  We provide assistance for these teams with litter-pickers, bags, gloves and organizing collection of the rubbish.

Philomena Murphy,

Chairperson, Wexford Tidy Towns