Write a commentLocal groups who participated in the ‘Down Your Street’ campaign received a warm reception from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Mickey Ruane when he acknowledged their work to improve their community.
Down Your Street runs alongside ‘Live Here Love Here’, a partnership programme delivered by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful which has a strong civic pride ethos helping local groups to take voluntary and practical environmental action to improve their communities.
Councillor Ruane speaking at the reception said, “Every environmental improvement action that takes place in our local communities, however small, adds to the overall wellbeing of our district. We all know groups who are proactive in tackling environmental problems at local level but need some help to maintain their efforts. The Down Your Street initiative provides them with some much needed assistance.”
All groups who registered to take part in the campaign received litter pickers, high visibility vests, gloves and bags and free waste collection was provided for their gathered rubbish. Councillor Ruane congratulated their efforts saying, “Groups have used their pack really well. Some have carried out multiple clean ups and have more planned for the future. I hope that the Council can build on this community spirit and increase the number of groups participating next year”.
As a thank you, a number of schools and groups who provided a record of their work were entered into a rewards scheme and presented with prizes during the reception.
Also in attendance at the reception was Carmel Fyfe, Operations Manager of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful. Carmel Fyfe said, “Today has been a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the success of Down Your Street, it shows that groups within the district really do “Live Here Love Here”. It is important that they continue with their people powered efforts as this will inspire others to show pride in their areas and to take positive actions to protect and enhance their local environment.”
Schools
Top Award St Patrick’s PS Newry
Environmental Improvement award St Patrick’s PS Burrenreagh
Judges Choice St Nicholas’ PS Ardglass
Community Groups
Top Award Kairos The Ark Garden Centre
Environmental Improvement award Love Your Lough
Judges Choice UNIT T
The following schools and groups also received framed certificates on the day:
Abbey Grammar School, Newry
St Malachy's PS, Camlough
St Oliver Plunket's PS Forkhill
Sacred Heart Grammar School, Newry
St Malachy's PS, Carnegat
Crossbar Area Community Association
Saintfield Development Association
St Malachy's Girl Guides, Castlewellan
Newry Shamrocks Youth Club
Ballynahinch Community Collective
