With the arrival of the new year, Tallanstown Tidy Town Committee are already starting to plan for this year-s National Tidy Towns competition. We were within one mark of winning this competition last year.We feel that with hard work and lots of local support we can improve our position once again this year and possibly go one better and win the national title.

Winning the competition would be a wonderful achievement for the village and the county. It would also benefit substantially every resident in Tallanstown, as winning this competition would automaticly increase the value of property in Tallanstown sorrounding areas.

We have already plans for projects that we hope to complete this year, but we are looking for new projects which would improve the willage in any way. We would welcome suggestions from anybody in this regard.

Whit this in mind, we intend to hold a series of meetings with residents from each area of the village. ALL RESIDENTS WILL BE WELCOME TO ATTEND and we will be delighted to listen to any ideas individuals might have for improving their own areas or in fact any part of Tallanstown. All ideas will be listened to disscussed and undertaken according to their merits and the finance available.

In tis way we hope to come up with a list o new projects for all area whitch will enhance each area in significant way. It is very important to get input from as many residents as possible in each area. Don`t leave it to somebody else, HAVE YOUR SAY.

The first meting will be in tje Old School on Monday 25th January
7.30 pm for residents of Castleview
8.15 pm for residents of Chesnut Grove

Tuesday 26th January
7.30 pm for residents of Cherrycood Park
8.15 for residents of Louth Hall Cottages ond rest of the village centre.

The other areas will be catered for next week (dates notified)

We hope to see a large group of intrested residents at the meetings. If you have any interest in improving your area please come along and give your ideas.

Don`t underestimate how important your input will be.

For many years now Tallanstown Tidy Town committee has been following a plan for developing the village to its highest potential.
The development encompasses many aspects of village life and includes the development of a heritage trail designed to highlight all aspects of the history of the village, which will be particularly useful to visitors.
This year we have made some additions to the heritage trail and the creation of a statue to Vere Foster is definitely the highlight of these additions.
It was decided by the committee in its review of how to progress that this statue would play an important part in our heritage trail.
Ann Meldon Hugh was commissioned to create the statue last January with a completion date for June. Ann did a brilliant job and the end product is universally admired by all.
The funding for this project was extremely important. The Irish National Teachers organisation came on board to honour the wonderful contribution Vere Foster made to Irish education and because he was their first President and we are very grateful for their very generous contribution.
However, it goes without saying that this project could not and would not have progressed without the wonderful contribution of Louth Leader Partnership. The board of Leader were very enthusiastic regarding this project, the first project funded by the new board, and Tallanstown Tidy Towns committee are extremely grateful for the wonderful contribution made to this local initiative.
From the excellent feedback we are getting from the many visitors, who came to view the statue it is felt Louth Leader Partnership will be getting the positive acknowledgement they deserve for their foresight.
The committee are presently planning the official unveiling of the statue in the near future and we will be able at this point to acknowledge to a much wider audience and in the presence of invited guests from Louth Leader Partnership and the I.N.T.O, the contribution made by these groups towards the completion of this innovative project.

Best wishes to the representatives of Tallanstown Tidy Town Committee who have been invited to the annual Award Ceremony of the National Tidy Town competition which is being held this year in Kilmainham Hospital, Dublin on Monday September 7th. Six members of our hardworking committee will be selected to represent the community at this award ceremony and we know whatever the outcome it has been a busy year both for the National Tidy Town workforce. Judging by the number of visitors and favourable comments by them our work has been well worthwhile.
We would like to wish other communities in County Louth who may have also received an invitation to the award ceremony the best of luck on the day and may we do the Wee County proud.

Rose of Tralee.

Congratulations to Susan Roe who will represent Dublin in the Rose of Tralee competition this year on August 24/25th. Susan is the daughter of Joe and Mary Roe, Joe hails from Tallanstown and Mary is formally a Gallagher from Donegal. According to Susan’s aunt Mary there will be a large contingent of relatives and friends travelling to Tralee to cheer Susan on in the Dome.
We wish you the very best of luck from all in the Tallanstown, Thomastown and Reaghstown area.

Rural Bus Service.

The rural bus service travels once a week from Tallanstown to Ardee around 11.30am and returns at 2pm approximately from outside Supervalu.

The return fare is €5, Students €3, Travel Pass holders and children under 14 travel free. For further details on the service this bus provides please contact Paddy on 041 6855555.

The Peoples Club.

The members of The Peoples Club had a very enjoyable day out in Carlingford on Thursday July 30th last, A full bus headed for the Ballymacscanlon Hotel where they enjoyed morning tea, then in glorious sunshine they headed for Carlingford, the members had a very pleasant stay in this sea side village.
Following lunch in the Carlingford Arms it was time to head back home. The numbers availing of the summer outings is an indication of the pleasure people gets out of the club. Everybody would like to thank those who organised the outing and of course Declan our very patient bus driver.

The people’s club meets in Aclint hall every second Thursday from 11am to 2pm. The club offers an opportunity for people to meet and have a chat or on occasion they organise day trips to places of interest at the request of their members. If you would like to take part in the club you are more than welcome to come along any Thursday and join in.

Transport is not a problem as members can be picket up at their residence if they need a lift.

Volunteers are needed to absail down Ardee Castle on Sunday August 2nd in aid of the Irish Wheelchair Association Ardee. Further details are available by contacting Catherine on 041 6853946 or 0877802447.

Whist results for July 14th

.
Top Score – B.Malone

.
1st Lady – B.Minogue

.
1st Gent – N.Malone, E Carry

.
Sweep - M.Carry. J Kieran

.
Raffle – P.Murray, P.Kieran, M Carry

It is the height of the National Tidy Towns judging season and with this in mind the committee are asking all residents of the village to be extra vigilant with regard to their disposal of litter. We hope to receive a second visit from the judges in the near future and they will be pleased with what they see.
Work on the new sensory garden in Maguire Park is now complete and it’s worth a visit, and should add an extra interest to an already very pleasant area of our village.

The rural bus service travels once a week from Tallanstown to Ardee around 11.30am and returns at 2pm approximately from outside Supervalu. The return fare is €5, Students €3, Travel Pass holders and children under 14 travel free. For further details on the service this bus provides please contact Paddy on 041 6855555.

We are now taking names for the After School Group for September 2009. Children in classes 2nd to 5th inclusive are invited to come along.
If you would like to enrol your child for this service and due to the unprecedented demand there are only a limited number of places available, please call into the Fas office in the Old School Building, Tallanstown and Theresa or Denise will take your name or alternatively contact the office by telephone and leave your child’s name. The telephone number is 042 9374926.