The upcoming Cathaoirleach awards are the perfect opportunity for community groups across the county to be celebrated.
The awards ceremony itself will take place on Thursday May 6 at 7pm in Belvedere House. Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Fintan Cooney will present certificates of recognition and make a presentation of special awards.
Awards will also be made to those who will represent the county in the Pride of Place 2010 competition. In 2009, more than 505,000 people volunteered to join with other members of their community to organise clean-ups around the country where an estimated 1,596 tonnes of litter was collected and 35 per cent of that waste was recycled. Already this year Coole National School has organised a tidy up of the village for Friday March 26. The group of more than 80 people will clean all roads, kerbs, bushes, and green areas within Coole Village. All students and members of staff are expected to take part and volunteers are also urged to come along and help. The clean-up will begin early Friday morning at the school and make its way down through the village. The staff and pupils of Coole National School are aiming to make the National Spring Clean an annual event where they can highlight the importance of keeping our environment litter free. For more information on the event contact Nicola Mulvaney on (044 ) 9661669 or email joe&[email protected].
Pride of Place is a great opportunity for communities to get together to improve their village or town. More information can be found at www.nationalspringclean.org
The event will be of key interest to all community groups as the Cathaoirleach will also announce who will receive community grants this year (including community and voluntary groups, residents associations, Tidy Towns, etc ).
The keynote speaker on the night will be US Ambassador to Ireland Mr Daniel M Rooney.
Westmeath County Council believe that in the current economic climate, more than ever, community initiatives require support and the award scheme is a means of publicly thanking those who give their time and efforts to their community. The members of Westmeath County Council initiated this scheme in order to honour people in County Westmeath who have given special service in their community.
The Cathaoirleach’s Awards allows Westmeath County Council to publicly and formally acknowledge local people for their contribution to society and demonstrates that their efforts have not gone unnoticed.
