Westport achieved the maximum five blooms at the international Communities in Bloom competition held in Canada last weekend. The awards honour municipalities from Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Japan which foster civic pride, environmental responsibility, and beautification through community involvement and the challenge of a national programme, with focus on the promotion of green spaces in urban settings.
Westport, which represented Ireland in the highly acclaimed international competition following the overall win in the Tidy Towns competition last year, received special recognition for community effort and was shortlisted in the top three for a youth involvement award.
Cathaoirleach of the town council Myles Staunton, who attended the ceremony said that the award “highlights once again Westport’s ability to come together as a community to put our best foot forward.” Cllr Staunton acknowledged the “excellent contribution of the Tidy Towns committee and all the other statutory and voluntary organisations in the town,” adding that the award is a “testament to the co-operation between the town council, the businesses in the town, and most importantly the residents of the town”. The Cathaoirleach said that being shortlisted for the youth involvement award was “particularly pleasing and the Cove Youth Cafe and the schools and community centres deserve special praise”.
Pamela Flanagan, chairperson of Westport Tidy Towns, said she was delighted that the “judges have seen the unique beauty and have experienced the wonderful community sprit that exits in our town”, while Westport town manager Peter Hynes said that success in international competitions is “extremely valuable in raising the profile of Westport both nationally and internationally,” and that the “opportunities for networking and for future connection which they encompass are even more important in recessionary times.”
