Wicklow People 30-June-2010

REWARDS FOR GROUPS THAT WENT THE EXTRA PURE MILE: Efforts by local communities to make Wicklow even more beautiful were rewarded last Thursday night in the Brooklodge Hotel.  The awards for the PURE Mile Project was well attended and the environmental initiative aims to foster a greater appreciation and awareness of country roadscapes. 

All participants received a PURE Mile certificate and a native oak tree.  There were five awards on the night and cash prizes totalling €2,000 were presented by the new Cathaoirleach Tom Fortune.  Awards went to;

Avondale Community College for Best Heritage/Education Award

The Vartry Pure Mile in Roundwood for the Best Natural Heritage Award

The Lacey Brothers Pure Mile in Ballinglen for the Best Community Effort Award

The Vartry Pure Mile in Roundwood for Best Litter Free Award

The overall award for the Best Pure Mile went to The Lacey Brothers Pure Mile of Ballinglen

Commenting on the night Cathaoirleach Tom Fortune said,

‘I believe that the work done by the five groups provides a solid foundation to build the PURE Mile as an annual award. Already we can see that the groups involved have achieved impressive results. The PURE Mile covered a diversity of themes including litter management, community engagement, biodiversity and the built heritage.  County Wicklow has many big ticket tourist attractions such as Glendalough, Brittas Bay and Avondale. However, it is the overall fabric of our rural landscape which makes the county such a special place for both visitors and inhabitants.’