BRUREE NOTES 13/9/2009

BRUREE PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP



Bruree Parent and Toddler Group continues every Tuesday morning from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon in Bruree National School. It is open to everyone looking after pre school children and we would be delighted to welcome you to the group. For further information please contact Judy on 087 6256906 or 063 90468.



GAA



Mackey Draw: Congratulations to Murray’s Staff, Charleville, who won €250 in the September Mackey Stand draw. They joined with Bruree GAA.

Fixture: Saturday September 19th Under 21 hurling v Knockainey at Knockainey at 5.30 pm. All support would be greatly appreciated.

Munster Medals: Bruree’s Junior B hurlers who won the Munster title earlier this year will be presented with their medals on Saturday night, September 19th, at the Central Bar. The presentations will take place at 9.00 pm and everyone is welcome to attend. A great night is assured.



45 DRIVE



Winners of the 45 Drive last week with ten games were Mary Noonan and Tommy Riordan. Runners up with eight games were Tom Hanley and John Sheehan, Tom O’Rourke and John Moloney and Tom Collins and Patsy Healy. The table prize went to John and Marie Healy. Raffle prizes went to Fintan Stone, Katherine O’Regan, Noreen Hayes and Mary Margaret Noonan. The 45 Drive continues in the Community Centre every Tuesday night, starting at 8.30 pm sharp.



LOTTO



Lucky dip winners in last week’s Bruree GAA/Rockhill Rovers Lotto draw were €50 Trevor Ryan, Charleville €25 Nora O’Shea, Rockhill, Kit O’Halloran €20 The Finn Gang, Aine Horgan c/o Francis Finn, Mike Moriarty.



SYMPATHY



We extend our sincere sympathy to the family, Relatives and friends of Venerable Archdeacon Timothy Greene, our former Parish Priest, who died recently.



Tidy Towns Competition 2009

Adjudication Report

Centre: Bruree Ref: 445

County: Limerick Mark: 250 (2008 249)

Category: B Date(s): 09/06/2009



Maximum Mark

Mark Awarded 2009

Overall Development Approach
50
39

The Built Environment
50
35

Landscaping
50
37

Wildlife and Natural Amenities
50
27

Litter Control
50
25

Waste Minimisation
20
6

Tidiness
30
16

Residential Areas
40
27

Roads, Streets and Back Areas
50
30

General Impression
10
8

TOTAL MARK
400
250




Overall Development Approach:

Welcome Bruree to the National Tidy Towns Competition 2009. Thank you for your entry form on behalf of Bruree/Rockhill Development Association. It is good to note that your committee of 10 people involved in Tidy Town's activities receives great support from the local community and that you have established linkages with partnership organisations including FAS, Ballyhoura development Ltd., and Limerick County Council. It is also positive to see that your Committee has created contacts with the local school through visits to the school. It is noted from your submission that Ballyhoura Development Ltd are currently commissioning a 3-5 year plan which is intended to be ready for next year 2010 Tidy Towns Competition. However, in the opinion of this adjudicator, it is disappointing to note that apart from two other sections, the 2009 Entry Form was incomplete. One completed section stated that Information Sign has been erected for Wildlife and the only other section completed was a sketch map of Bruree. This is a pity as Bruree has much potential to progress and reach a higher level within the Tidy Towns Competition. The preparation of a detailed submission would enable Bruree to progress faster in Tidy Towns Competition. It is recommended that the preparation of a three year plan, as proposed, should be a priority for your Committee with simple and achievable targets agreed by all concerned as part of that planning process.

The Built Environment:

The De Valera legacy needs to be highlighted as part of the history of Bruree. On the day of our visit, the De Valera Museum and the Heritage Centre was closed. The de Valera cottage was also closed but, while a key was available at a neighbour's house, it might be better to actually have a set opening time for both, the Museum and the cottage.

As stated in 2008, the Old Mill and water wheel present an opportunity for an appropriate development. The School complex was in excellent condition and a credit to all concerned in its maintenance and upkeep. Commercial buildings that caught the eye included: Ray Moloney's butcher shop and the Post Office. Many of the private houses were very attractive, special mention must go to the owners of the lovely white walled Briar Cottage and its neighbours in the lovely terrace opposite the Heritage Centre.

While signposts exist for the Towerhouse and Church, the gates were closed and access denied. This may very well be for safety reasons which are understandable, but disappointing.

The key role of the river within the town should be developed as a priority within the three year plan.

Landscaping:

Landscaping could be a key attraction of Bruree with the magnificent vista of the river Maigue in view from both sides of the town. On the N20 side, the Riverside Park and its Wildlife Preserve offer such potential for appropriate development for both, residents and visitors to the town. Advice from Wildlife Officer in the County Council could be sought. Parts of the park needed grass cutting and the wooden park benches were in a poor condition and required renewal. The shrubbery also needed maintenance. The riverside park on the other side seemed in better condition. In contrast, the flower beds and landscaped areas at the Church were in very good condition.

Wildlife and Natural Amenities:

Your Riverside facilities would be the envy of many other towns and villages throughout the country. They offer such potential for the appropriate development and should form a significant part of the three year plan. A visit to other towns with riverside developments is recommended by this adjudicator. The elevated view of the river, the weir and the village offers the visitor a beautiful scene. There is a great opportunity to broaden the range of birds and wildlife in the area. The De Valera Cottage is a beautifully maintained centre and the wonderful trees on the site could be highlighted by the erection of appropriate Information Panels on Trees on the site.

Litter Control:

Streets were generally litter free, however, very few litter bins were in evidence.

Waste Minimisation:

Clothing Bring Bank and Repak Bins were in evidence, but the general area around these was untidy.

Tidiness:

Village in general looked tidy, the main street looked impressive and efforts should be made to remove the overhead cables over a period of years and transfer them underground. However, it was disappointing to see a large quantity of old office chairs dumped at the entrance to the Bruree Foods complex. It seemed that these old chairs were lying on the ground for some time.

Residential Areas:

The village is expanding rapidly with several attractive housing developments in the area. Toormore and Gardenfield, two new areas, were in good condition and well presented. Briar Cottage resplendent in white and its close neighbours looked so well situated opposite the Heritage Centre. Throughout the village there were impressive houses with very well maintained gardens, which added to the image of the area.

Roads, Streets and Back Areas:

Grass verges on the approach roads were being cut on the day of the visit which is good to see. Roads in the area were generally in a good condition. There were many well built stone walls fronting properties and the amenity park and they added to the overall presentation of the roads in the village.

General Impression:

Bruree is an attractive and expanding village which is a welcoming change, while retaining its history and charm. Congratulations to all involved in the continuing improvements under the Tidy Towns umbrella. We hope that you will succeed in encouraging more of the village's new and established residents, particularly to join the team and achieve even more. We look forward to your three year plan 2010-2012 to be developed as a priority.