GALLERY: Pride in their village a priority for Multyfarnham volunteers

Multyfarnham Tidy Towns Committee and Volunteers gathered early on Saturday September 25 to take up their tools and give the village an autumn clean-up.

Young ‘Multyteers’ were sent out, under supervision and wearing hi-vis jackets, with long-handle pickers sponsored by Westmeath County Council, and surprisingly, they filled less than two refuse bags from litter discarded on the six roads in to Multyfarnham – a committee spokesperson said they believe that thanks are due to the locals who regularly pick up litter on their walks. “This we considered marvellous!” she said.

The gardeners in the group took to clearing and clipping the large flower beds in Gaine Park, and Martin Tierney skilfully used his mini-digger to remove cement-hard soil out of the large circular raised bed. Many overgrown woody shrubs were removed, and Tidy Towns hope to loosen the soil and add compost and fresh topsoil to the bed, then re-plant it.

The Children of Lir Arch was rediscovered beneath undergrowth and in time for First Holy Communion in the village on Saturday last, October 2.

Everyone worked hard had a thirst and an appetite and they were rewarded with a full lunch. Ballinafid Multyfarnham Bunbrosna Active have a busy catering committee and they provided the salads (the slow-cooked ham was mouthwatering), while everyone maintained social distance outdoors and filled their plates.

They also enjoyed scones, apple tarts and lemon drizzle cake, washed down with tea and coffee. The icing on the cake was when Darragh McCabe played his acoustic guitar and sang some sweet songs for them. The Tidy Town Volunteers went home tired but satisfied that they had done a good mornings work.

Moral of the story: physical work + good food + live music = brilliant day.