Pride of Place Judges come to Arklow

pride_of_place_2016_600x300The IPB Pride of Place is an all-island competition that acknowledges the work that communities are doing all over the island of Ireland.  The competition focus is about people coming together to shape, change and improve daily lives in their communities.

At the monthly Arklow Municipal District meeting, it was outlined that Wicklow County Council nominated Arklow, Rathdangan and Five Loaves in Bray for the Pride of Place Awards.  Judging took place on Thursday 30th June and throughout the day adjudicators were taken on a tour of the town by council officials to showcase all that Arklow has to offer.

Wicklow County Council Director of Services, Michael Nicholson, said that Arklow was chosen for nomination because of all the effort made to reinvigorate and build up the town in recent years.  He referred to the recent library and  civic office project, plans for a town design statement and pottery museum, the Kynoch Walk, theatre campaign by the Arklow Music & Arts group and in particular, the many community and voluntary groups which do so much good work throughout the year.

 

Arklow & District Chamber Ball and Awards Ceremony 2016

This year’s Arklow & District Chamber Ball and Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday 16th of September in the Arklow Bay Hotel.  As usual the ball promises to be a wonderful night to celebrate all that is good about business in south County Wicklow.  Both members and non-members are welcome to attend. The evening will commence with a drinks reception at 7.15 pm with Dinner served at 8.15pm followed by the presentation of awards.

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The awards this year will recognise local people & businesses and their achievements in the following categories:

  • Best New Start Up – For any business opened within the last 12 months
  • Best Established Business – For established businesses who excel in any sector, small, medium or large
  • The Service Excellence Award – To recognise those companies providing outstanding to their customers
  • The Young Achiever Award – This award goes to a young person who has given service to the community through any field such as, entrepreneurial, sport, education, arts, culture or community service
  • Ambassador for Tourism Award – For any business providing tourism related services or a community group or individual who helps support or promote tourism in the area
  • The Employee of the Year Award – Any outstanding employee can be nominated by customers, co-workers or an employer
  • The Person of the Year Award – This award will recognise a person who, through their achievements, has made an      outstanding contribution to the town or is an Ambassador for Arklow.

 

To nominate those you think deserve to be recognised visit www.arklow.ie where nominations are currently being accepted.  Alternative you can email chamber@arklow.ie with names of your nominees and the reason you think they should win an award, please include your name and contact details.

 THE CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF NOMINATIONS IS FRIDAY 29th JULY 2016.

 

Chamber Member is Guest of Honour at RNLI Naming Ceremony

Former President of the Arklow & District Chamber of Commerce, Jimmy Tyrrell, was recently given the honour by Lough Swilly RNLI of naming their new lifeboat.  The €2.4m life-saving vessel has already been on nineteen callouts since its arrival on the North-West Coast last year, it was officially named the ‘Derek Bullivant’ and is the first Shannon class RNLI lifeboat to go on service in Ireland. Jimmy has served with the RNLI for 46 years which makes him the charity’s longest serving lifeboat volunteer and has campaigned to have the RNLI name a class of lifeboat after an Irish river, in recognition of the service and dedication of Irish lifeboat volunteers.

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Jimmy said he has seen many changes in lifeboats during his time as a volunteer but added “the one thing that has not changed in the RNLI and that is its people.  The basic commitment of crews is the same.  Generations of them have put their lives on the lines and sometimes lost their lives trying to help those in peril on the seas”.

 

Arklow Springboard Family Centre

SpringboardArklow Springboard Family Support Service recently renewed its Gold Standard Health Quality Mark from the National Youth Council of Ireland.  Arklow Springboard first received this award in 2010 and is still the only family support service in Ireland to have this award.  This award is a standards framework developed by the National Youth Council of Ireland and aims to encourage best practice and a high standard in all aspects of health promotion.  Congratulations to Arklow Springboard manager, Martina Deasy and everyone involved in this important family support centre.

https://www.facebook.com/Arklow-Springboard-Family-Support-Service-196642200351478/

 

Co. Wicklow People of the Year Awards 2016

This is an opportunity to recognise the unsung heroes with your community and to acknowledge the great work done by volunteers.

The closing date for nominating your choice for a Person of the Year/Hall of Fame Award is Friday 22nd July. 

Your nominee can be:AMD logo

  • A carer
  • A committed volunteer
  • A good neighbour
  • A good Samaritan
  • A health worker
  • A local community group
  • A sports coach
  • A sportsperson
  • A Tourism Project – either commercial or community based, a new and innovative social enterprise, a sports club, an arts/music/culture group
  • A young person who has changed their life around and is now a role model for others
  • An inspirational older person
  • Someone who has overcome adversity

You can use the Nomination Form in the Wicklow People (29th June 2016) or by emailing mtuite@wicklowcoco.ie with the name of those you wish to nominate and the reason why you think they deserve to receive an award.