The St. Aongus Parish/Bancroft Spring Clean is being run on Tuesday the 29th of April 2008 from 10am – 3pm in conjunction with An Táisce’s National Spring Clean Month.
The Organisation: The organisation of this project has been lead by Garda Grainne McPartlin and the Community Policing Unit at Tallaght Garda Station over the last number of months. Superintendent Eamon Dolan has given the project his full support.
An organisation committee has met on numerous occasions over the past number of months, with representatives from:
• South Dublin County Council,
• The APT Garda Youth Diversion Project,
• Home School Liaison Teams,
• The Stay Project,
• The School Completion Project,
• Castle-Combined Residents Association.
• St Marys National School
• St Roses National School,
• Scoil Íosa,
• Scoil Aonghusa, and
• Tallaght Community School.
This initiative is the first of its kind being run in the St Aongus/Bancroft Parish area and has been extremely well received by the community to date. The Launch: The launch of the St Aongus Parish/Bancroft Spring Clean took place on Thursday the 24th of April at Castle Tymon Library at 10am.
As part of the Spring Clean initiative students from the 5 local primary schools took part in an ‘Anti-Graffiti/ Spring Clean’ themed art competition.
The winners of the competition were selected by representatives from the organising committee, and were presented with Garda Medals by Sergeant Goretti Sheridan and Garda Grainne McPartlin at the official launch on the 24th of April 2008.
This event was attended by
• Committee members,
• the winning students,
• their families and friends,
• local community leaders,
• representation from Charlie O Connors TD office,
• members of the Community Policing Unit from Tallaght Garda Station, and
• the Acting Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Mr. Eamonn Maloney.
The competition winner’s art will be displayed in Castle Tymon Library throughout the month of June.
Murals: In addition, as part of the Spring-Clean initiative, students from Tallaght Community School were invited to design murals as part of a competition. These murals were designed by a number of students, under the watchful eye of their art teacher Mr Pat Long.
The winners of this competition will have the opportunity to paint their murals on the internal walls of Bancroft Park or ‘The 30 Acres’, as it is known locally, on the 29th April 2008, the day of the Spring Clean.
They will be assisted by their classmates on this assignment. There is a serious problem with graffiti in this park, and it is hoped this initiative will act as a deterrent to further destruction of the park. The winning students will also be presented with prizes on the 29th April 2008 which were generously donated by South Dublin County Council and local businesses that are supporting the initiative.
The Spring Clean Day: The Spring Clean itself will begin at 10.30am on 29th April 2008 when
• students and teachers from all participating schools,
• the Spring Clean organisation committee,
• Tallaght Community Policing Unit,
• the Garda Band,
• the Garda Mounted Unit,
• community leaders, and
• members from the local community will assemble in the carpark of St Aonghus’ parish church at 10.30am where the murals are being painted for a group photograph, to mark the occasion.
A presentation of prizes will be made to those who have designed the murals.
Following this, the Garda Band will provide entertainment to all while the senior classes from the participating schools will go to all the housing estates in the St Aongus Parish and Bancroft area to carry out a litter collection, and to assist in planting flowers donated by South Dublin County Council.
Meanwhile, junior classes will carry out a litter collection on their school grounds, and also assist in planting flowers and shrubs donated by South Dublin County Council. Students from Tallaght Community School will also be participating in the litter collection in a neighbouring housing estate, as well as painting the murals. Goodie Bags will be given to the students participating.
They have been generously donated by the local Centra and South Dublin County Council. Tymon Park Rangers will be on hand throughout the day ensuring that all litter collected is disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.
Supervision: The Spring Clean is being supervised by
• local residents,
• teaching staff,
• committee members and
• members of the Castle Combined Residents Association \ Neighbourhood Watch Committee.
Community Gardai will be on Mountain Bike Patrol throughout the day to ensure the event goes smoothly.
Future aspirations: The committee has worked tirelessly towards this day. It is hoped that the Spring Clean will become an annual event in the St Aongus Parish/Bancroft Area.
Garda Press Office.
13.05 Hrs 28th April, 2008.
Ref: 566/08
