The Collinstown Action Group (back from left) David Cunningham, Teresa Doyle, Carmel Murray and Joe McNally; (front), Patrick Dempsey, Chrissy Murtagh, Anne Marie Nash, Lesley Gleeson and Mary Duffy. Missing from photo, Virginia Jennings, Una D'Arcy, Tommie Fagan and Bill Connell.

It's the last straw, says Collinstown

Published: Fri 13 Oct 2017, 12:26 PM

Last updated: Fri 13 Oct 2017, 1:40 PM

Plastic straws have become a thing of the past in the public houses of Collinstown as part of a campaign to help improve the environment. As of this week, both pubs have swapped to paper straws.

Setting the trend is nothing new for this cool village overlooking the stunning Lough Lene and they are well ahead of giants in the industry like JD Wetherspoons, who are hoping to swap to paper in January 2018.

“Mary Duffy asked us to participate in their ‘One Small Change’ Campaign,” explains David ‘Croc’ Cunningham, “I looked around and thought, we could stop using plastic straws in the pub, it is a wasteful practice and anything that reduces single-use plastic and reduces waste going to landfill – that’s a good move.

“Also, we are becoming famous for our beautiful, unspoilt landscapes and lakes out here in north Westmeath, so anything we can do to protect our beautiful environment, we should do it.”

Plastic straws take 500 years to decompose and 70 million plastic straws enter landfill or make their way into the world’s oceans each year. The Collinstown announcement comes just as a wider campaign of ‘Refuse the Straw’ gathers pace.

The local shop is also joining in. Proprietor Carmel Murray will make sure people have lots of change with her ‘One Small Change’ offering 10c off tea and coffee if people bring their own reusable cup.

One Small Change

This innovative switch is part of a village-wide campaign led by the Collinstown Action Group and Collinstown Tidy Towns. This Saturday, October 14 at 10.30, they are having a family friendly, ‘One Small Change’ day in the local hall (from 10.30am), at which people can have a chat over a cup of tea and discuss ways they can make a big impact by making one small change.

The Group behind ‘One Small Change’ is also behind the big change that is coming down the road for the village with the news that the group’s application for funding under Town and Village Enhancement was successful.

Collinstown will receive €72,000 towards significant works identified and detailed by the community. The Collinstown Community Action Group, chaired by Teresa Doyle, comprises Mary Duffy, secretary, Anne Marie Nash, treasurer, Patrick Dempsey, assistant chair, Joe McNally, assistant secretary, Virginia Jennings, assistant treasurer, Una D’Arcy, Bill Connell, Tommie Fagan, Lesley Gleeson, Jen Masterson, Chrissie Murtagh, Carmel Murray and David Cunningham.

The group is currently working towards a Christmas fair and the members were out in force at the parish festival to garner support from the community for their work. They can also be spotted helping their chair and talented artist Teresa Doyle on the ICA mural that is under way in the village centre.