Each month just gets busier, but I'm never the one to shy away from hard work! Welcome to my April blog - I can't believe it is April already... the time is flying by.
Motion
A motion I put forward to protect hedgerows in rural and urban areas was passed this month; there is no need to rip down hedgerows that provide homes for wildlife to thrive, for building works or otherwise! See the Motions and Questions section on my website for the exact wording of the motion and the Council's response.
River Clean-Up
On the 9th of this month, approximately 10 volunteers comprising of residents, Councillors and Tidy Towns worked for several hours removing rubbish from the Broadmeadow River. The volunteers did a fantastic job restoring the river to its former beauty. I usually only like to promote positivity in my blogs and newsletters, but the amount of rubbish we pulled out of the river was phenomenal.
I hope that it will not get to this state again, especially since it is home to a variety of different species of wildlife. I saw with my own eyes a female duck with her 10 babies swimming down the river and I also saw two trout... every time we throw rubbish into the river, we are damaging the habitat for these animals.
Alderbrook
Works are being carried out at present to install ramps into Alderbrook estate, so watch this space! Also thank you to Alderbrook Residents Association for mentioning me in their newsletter - see PDF link below.
Discretionary Funding
More community groups have availed of discretionary funding for this year. This month, €500 has been given to the Cricket Club to buy a lawnmower, €160 has been allocated for the Battle of Ashbourne Festival, and €160 has be provided for the CIS scheme in Gerardstown to implement proper road surfaces in cul de sacs
National Hunt Museum
A presentation has been made to create a National Hunt Museum in Ashbourne. It is early days yet, but I am interested in how this development will proceed in the future.
Trad Dash
Trad Ashbourne are organising traditional music themed, chip timed 5K and 10K Road Race in aid of Muscular Dystrophy Ireland on Sunday the 23rd of April. The race will start at 11am at the Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA Club. Register online at Eventbrite.ie or pay on the day. I will be there on the day stewarding the event, and I would love to say as many of you as possible take part. There will be great Irish craic agus ceoil, so what could beat that?!
