Lord Mayor's Community and Voluntary Awards: Cork groups nominated for their green-fingered good deeds

The first nominee is Blackpool Tidy Village Group, which was established in September 2023 following discussions at public meetings about improving the local environment and addressing issues related to litter and illegal dumping.

The group meets weekly on Saturdays for litter picking, flower planting and maintenance, and painting projects throughout the village, and has installed Welcome to Blackpool signs (in both English and Irish) at key junctions, a noticeboard on the Plaza displaying local event information and illustrations of the wildlife on the River Bride.

The group has also provided new flower planters, dog waste bins and bird feeders around the area as well as friendship benches at Maddens Buildings and Dublin Hill, and each bench area has contact information for those who may need assistance.

The River Bride runs through the village, and the group undertake numerous river cleanups of illegal dumping along the riverbank and in the river.

Group secretary Mark O’Brien said: “It’s wonderful to receive a nomination for the awards. Our group of volunteers do such great work around Blackpool Village and it is great to see them getting recognition for their efforts.

“Our group meets every Saturday 10.30am at Blackpool Community Centre. We do litter picking, flower planting, and painting projects. New volunteers are always very welcome.”

Future Orchard

The second nominee, Future Orchard, provides a suite of climate action, biodiversity, and sustainability focused services.

The group, established in 2010, run a regenerative micro orchard, featuring around 60 heritage apple trees, 40 nut trees, soft fruits, and pollinator habitats.

These plantings create long-term carbon sinks, increase perennial food sources, and enhance climate resilience through diversified species and improved soil health.

Future Orchard operates a citywide circular economy apple rescue network, which this year collected, transported, and pressed nearly two tonnes of surplus apples into more than 1,000 bottles of juice. This system prevents organic waste from entering the methane-producing waste stream, reduces emissions, strengthens community food resilience, and supports households in managing garden produce sustainably.

Future Orchard also provides year-round environmental education, offering workshops in pruning, grafting, composting, biodiversity enhancement, soil care, and low- carbon land management. Volunteer days give the public hands on experience in climate smart practices such as mulching, dead hedging, habitat building and organic production.

The group’s Stefan Wulff said: “The award nomination is a timely acknowledgement that the orchard members have created a project with solid footing. After 17 years of trying to define what it actually was that the organisation wanted to achieve, it is finally clear that it’s not only a growing project, it is becoming a hub for regular brainstorms and hopeful actions supporting climate and biodiversity, with a bit of mindfulness and pensive reflection thrown in.

“It really is building a support network for the natural environment while being simultaneously creative and communal.”

Togher Tidy Towns

The third nominee, Togher Tidy Towns, was established in 2007 as a voluntary community group focused on improving the local environment.

Their activities include planting flowers and maintaining planter boxes throughout the area, removing graffiti from walls and public spaces, and caring for derelict sites in collaboration with Cork City Council. Volunteers also paint road markings, kerbs, and pillars.

Togher Tidy Towns is an active member of the Tramore River Community Group, contributing to a five-year plan aimed at improving water quality, ecology, and biodiversity.

In addition, the group organises regular community clean-ups and works in partnership with local organisations such as St Finbarr’s GAA Club, Togher Scouts, and the Cope Foundation, on litter picking, planting, and maintenance projects.

The group has implemented a range of successful initiatives, including the creation of a free “take a book, leave a book” community library, developed with support from the Togher Men’s Shed to encourage reading, reuse, and community connection.

A former illegal dumping site near St Finbarr’s Hurling and Football Club has been transformed into an attractive and welcoming planted area known as The Barrs Corner.

Togher Tidy Towns supports biodiversity through the construction and installation of bat boxes made from recycled timber, installed dog waste bins and signage while supporting the green dog walker initiative, and introduced a water-filling station in Clashduv Park to reduce plastic waste and encourage reusable bottles.

Group chairwoman Carolyn Miller said: “Being nominated for the Lord Mayors award for Climate Action and Sustainable Development is a prestigious recognition of a community’s driven effort to build a greener and more resilient future.

“It also is a significant recognition of our hardworking volunteers time and commitment.”