Stoneyford Tidy Towns A.G.M. 19th. October 2015
Stoneyford Tidy Towns Committee review 2015 and plan for 2016.
Stoneyford Tidy Towns (STT) held its very successful AGM recently in front of a ‘full house’ and Chairman Donie Butler presented a very progressive report on its 2015 activities as well as outlining plans for 2016. The most satisfying aspect of its activities was the ‘buy in’ by over 60 local Community Volunteers taking part in all the projects involved in its Tidy Towns participation.
The Community Volunteers took ownership of Litter Picking, Clean-ups, Landscaping – Tree/Flower/Shrub Planting & Watering, Grass & Hedge cutting, Painting of buildings & gates, ‘Fix It’ teams, construction projects, fencing, communications, social media and many other tasks.
The major news to emerge at the AGM was the content of a recent letter to the Chairman from Minister for Rural Economic Development & Social Enterprise, Ann Phelan T.D. outlining her commitment and support of the Stoneyford Village Renewal Scheme (SVRS) which was presented by the Chair of the TTC to the Municipal Authority in April last. Furthermore the Minister requested the CEO of Kilkenny Local Authority to make provision for funding from its County Council budget of 2016 to the Stoneyford Village Renewal Scheme.
With the consequence of the M9 Motorway and in particular Exit 9, Stoneyford is now the pivotal gateway to mid-Kilkenny Tourism (South) with Mount Juliet Golf Resort, Knockdrinna Cheese, Jerpoint Park, Jerpoint Abbey, Goatsbridge Trout Farm, Ballylinch Stud, Jerpoint Glass, Karen Morgan Porcelain, Nore Valley Walk, Kells Priory, Kilree Round Tower/High Cross/Church Ruin and Stonecarthy Church Ruin as well as the 12th Century Ennisnag Bridge all on its doorstep.
Some of the principle elements of the SVRS are as follows: Placing overhead cables underground, traffic calming, interpretative and tourist destination directional signage and maps, replacing poor footpaths, replacing street lamps with ‘old style’ lamping, footpath to Ennisnag with lighting, linear walks at Kings & Ford rivers, repair, replace, restore old village walls at village entrance roads and Ennisnag Bridge, restore Old Village Well walls, replace village street furniture seats, Telephone Kiosk and post Pillar Box.
Stoneyford is also a key gateway from the M9 to the Taste of Kilkenny Food Trail with Thomastown Town of Food just five minutes away, Made in Kilkenny Craft Hub, Grennan Mill, Nore Valley Park, Bennettsbridge (Moth to a Flame & Nicolas Moss Pottery), Cuffesgrange and Callan. South & East Kilkenny Cycle Loops and Ken Foley Leatherworks at Kells.
The STT are deeply grateful for funding and sponsorship provided in 2015 by the Local Authority as well as from local businesses; Irish Power & Process, Malzard’s & Sheridan’s Pubs, Jerpoint Glass, Doyle Concrete, Stoneyford Engineering, Knockdrinna Cheese, Kingsriver Community & John Hughes.
2016 Immediate Local Action Plans by Tidy Towns Committee
- Rockery Lawcus Lane/Ennisnag Road.
- River Steps & Pump at Ford River.
- Village -Old Telephone Kiosk and Old Pillar Post Box.
- Tree & Shrub Planting Programme (End of 2015)
- Levelling of roadside grass margins –make mower friendly
- Floral displays at entrance signs to village
- Continue to close out on 2015 ‘Black Spot’ audit.
The 2016 Tidy Towns Committee was elected unanimously as follows: Chair/Hon Secretary: Donie Butler, Hon Treasurer: Paschal Long, Regina Moran, Paddy O’Dwyer, Donal Sheridan, Pat Phelan, Kathy Ryan, Jimmy & Brid Sheehan. Next meeting Monday 16th November at 8pm.
