Tidy Towns Competition 2003

Adjudication Report

Ardpatrick

Mark: 244

Date: 02/08/2003

Overall Developmental Approach:

Thank you for your very detailed and well thought submission complete with sketch map. Indeed thank you for the welcoming letter explaining the work to date. Ardpatrick has a strong relationship with the local community and especially the schoolchildren. The Village has had a good record in the competition and it is obvious that there is no diminution of enthusiasm. Ardpatrick is always a pleasant and tranquil pace to visit, but more so on good day when the Ballyhouras are at their best.

The Built Environment:

Ardpatrick has had a high rating in this section of the Competition in the past and this year is on par with the immediate years gone by. The village has benefited form the new houses that have sprung up and these have blended in with the surroundings beautifully. The Church and grounds were in immaculate condition and once again great credit is due to those responsible for maintaining both to such a high standard. Scoil Ard Padraigh has been painted and the immediate area tidied up since this adjudicator last visited the village some tears back.

The Community Hall which like the Church is a focal point in the village is in good structural condition. Most other premises be they business or private were presented in fashion becoming the standing that Ardpatrick has in the competition. It is a pity to see that two properties referred to in your submission have been let fall into decline because of lack of attention. There is very little the committee can do except exhort the owners to tidy up the respective premises at least.

Landscaping:

Last year's report referred to the standard achieved by the village under this heading, and this year it has made more progress as a result of putting in place an excellent landscape feature at the Old Creamery site as one enters from Kilmallock. Bishop Murphy Park was very attractive and appealing with its mixture of shrubs such as potentilia, St Johns Worth and colourful flowers like various species of the geranium family .There were many examples of well planned and appealing gardens suggesting that people in Ardpatrick have great pride in their place. Nice floral arrangements to be viewed at a number of entrance points into the village.

Wildlife and Natural Amenities:

The work done to date in this category especially by the school children is very praise worthy. Monitoring of nesting patterns should be published as part of the ongoing wildlife programme. Is it unusual to have herons nesting so near to an inland village ? or am I wrong in assuming this. Very good effort to date.

Litter Control:

The Village was free of litter on adjudication day, which is a testament to the efforts of all sections of the community who have been involved in regular clean up programmes. Just to ensure that this high standard is maintained maybe the committee might consider asking the County Council to provide an extra bin, so that any transient traveller will not have to go far to seek a litter outlet. A very good performance not for the first time.

Tidiness:

The recycling centre is well sighted and managed and this helps the collective effort put in by the community as whole. There has been a major improvement in the Garage area as one approaches from Kilmallock, well done to the owner for making the effort to manage that site in a more efficient manner. There was very little weed growth in the village area and also the roadsides were free of any residue from farm activity.

Residential Areas:

The standard of presentation of individual properties was very good and communal areas such as the link road up to the Graveyard at Ard Phadraig were very tidy. Some excellent gardens in individual properties were viewed especially on the out skirts of the village. Concern about the unoccupied buildings is natural, as these do not reflect well and stand out like a sore thumb in such a well-preserved village as Ardpatrick. The committee can only exhort owners to change their ways and bring these premises up to some acceptable standard.

Roads, Streets and Back Areas:

The entrances to village from all directions were impressive with most speed signs and directional signs visible and clean. There were one or two signs that need attention but I notice from the submission that overtures have been made to the local Council. The excellent road surfaces also contribute to achieving a good standard in this category, grass verges and hedgerows were maintained in accordance with recommended criteria. The landscaping and sculpture feature at the Old Creamery is a big plus and worth the long wait.

General Impression:

Ardpatrick is certainly benefiting from the shared commitment shown by both the Committee and the local community. The Village is a credit to the local people and has that tranquil quality where one can relax and enjoy the countryside. Keep up the good work.

Second Round Adjudication:

Ardpatrick was presented to a standard of excel lance at the time of our second visit. We look forward to the completion of work in progress at the site of the old creamery .The following observations are offered; Sections of the bell tower at the church could be improved together with the gable wall of the Sunvale Inn. The service pole located across from the pub should be replaced with an attractive lamp standard and service cables ducted. Flowers were in full bloom and shrubs

and young trees are maturing nicely. Lawns and green are presented to the highest standard. The wild flower meadow must be delightful when in full bloom. The school and its boundary wall was admired, litter control was excellent. Hopefully the handsome traditional features of the Sunvale Inn will be retained upon redevelopment. The Bog Oak Garden development at the site of the old creamery is creative; a water feature might also be featured. This adjudicator looks forward to seeing the completed development.