“They took all the trees and put ’em in a tree museum
And they charged all the people a dollar and a half just to see ’em
Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”
(Lyrics Joni Mitchell.)
May 23rd last, saw the closing date for entry to the Supervalu National Tidy Towns Competition. Thurles has been missing from this competition for some years now, but I am happy to relate that a new & welcome voluntary committee aptly named “Refresh Thurles,” has been formed and Thurles has been entered in this competition once again. To this end this newly formed committee are encouraging residents to take more control of their immediate environment.
Refresh Thurles are now appealing to every Thurles resident to make a keen effort to keep their particular area clean and tidy and invite constructive comments regarding the town to their Email address refreshthurles@gmail.com
Their job ahead is not going to be an easy one, as our short video shows. The absence of a Tidy Town’s Committee operating in Thurles for some years and the failure of Thurles Town Council to implement already existing bye-laws, latter in particular with regards to behaviour relating to Advertising Posters, the protection of Trees planted in our urban areas etc, leave a lot to be desired.
Social Benefits Of Trees To Towns Like Thurles
As people we like trees around us, whether we are immediately aware of it or not, as they make life more pleasant. All of us respond to the presence of trees beyond simply observing their natural beauty. They grant us feelings of serenity, peacefulness, restfulness, shade and tranquillity. It is proven beyond doubt that hospital patients are shown to recover from surgery much more quickly, when their hospital room offers a view of trees. The very stature, strength and endurance of trees give them a cathedral-like quality, and because of their potential for long life, trees frequently continue to be planted as living markers to both people & historic occasions.
Trees alter greatly & for the betterment of our environment by moderating climate, improving air quality and harbouring wildlife. Trees greatly improve our air quality and temperature and allow us to moderate the ‘heat-island effect,’ caused by pavements and buildings in commercial areas. (The term ‘heat island,’ refers to any area, populated or not, which is consistently hotter than the surrounding area and first recognised & investigated in the early 1800’s.)
The leaves from trees filter the air we breathe by removing dust and other particulates including poisonous carbon monoxide, and sulphur dioxide and returning it to us in the form of oxygen. Thus by planting trees we return to a more natural, less artificial environment with birds and other wildlife more attracted into our midst.
Graffiti & Neglected Pavements A Major Problem
Other issues in the town need to be addressed immediately if Thurles is to gain any sort of reasonable mark in any forthcoming Tidy Town’s competition. Graffiti appears in abundance, not just on derelict buildings but on many currently operating business premises. With Thurles Town Council now with more Councillors than manual workers employed, volunteers and paint are badly & urgently needed from within the community.
The trees shown damaged and the poor quality of our pavements also shown in the video above, are photographed on St Mary’s avenue and Liberty Square, (Note trees damaged from the pavement side and not damaged by passing motor vehicles.) currently the walk way used by the now obscure & elusive tourist who chooses to visit St Mary’s Famine Museum, latter one of the few remaining tourist attractions in the town.
Meanwhile, Mo Chara Animal Rescue, who may do great work rescuing animals, certainly have no love of trees as our video demonstrates. They and other local advertisers need to keep in mind that if 4 inch screws are driven often enough into our living trees in Liberty Square, then very soon the dogs in the area will have nothing to cock their legs against.
To “Refresh Thurles,” we wish your committee every success and our full support in all future endeavourers. Any volunteers, paint & brushes out there anywhere? Come on let’s get involved.
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