Onwards and upwards as Elton crowned winners of Going for Gold week one
EVERYONE loves an underdog story and Elton Tidy Towns is no exception, toppling giants such as Bruff, Ardpatrick and Moyross in the first public vote of this year’s Going for Gold competition.
The small village of Elton which was described as basically “just a crossroads” has a fraction of the population of some of the other competitors in their group but one thing is for certain, if they were to lose the public vote it wasn’t going to be for lack of trying.
Margaret Reale of Elton Tidy Towns was ecstatic with her small village’s win.
“It was great. There just seemed to be a great vibe around the village,” Margaret said.
“I was thinking of Bruff and what they’ve done down there, the place is looking amazing. I couldn’t think of us against Bruff at all. Bruff and Ardpatrick are the only two in the group that I can see with my own eyes all the time. Ardpatrick is fantastic as well.
“I didn’t think we had a hope, to be honest with you. Sure, Ardpatrick won the whole thing out a few years ago,” she added.
The group’s consistent maintenance, positive attitude, community spirit and future plans of development are some of the reasons that put them in favour of the public vote.
Elton came out on top of the first week of the Going for Gold Tidy Towns category and are now straight through to the grand final later this year for a chance to win that glorious €10,000 prize fund.
Next week sees six new competitors, Athea, Ballingarry, Broadford, Caherconlish, Caherdavin and Castleconnell compete for a chance to win that all-important place in the grand final.
Over the next few weeks, a total of 30 community groups across Limerick will be putting their best foot forward for the betterment of their local area as part of the Going for Gold Tidy Towns category.
In judging the competition, emphasis will be placed on litter control, general tidiness and upkeep, pollinator-friendly planting, sustainable planting, overall impression, works undertaken/improvements from previous years (if applicable).