Milltownpass shines bright for judges
Regan Kelly
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Scout Group Leader Fiona O’Shea and Beaver Scout Matteo Osorio.Image 2 of 6
Fr William Coleman with Olive Manning Conroy, Westmeath County Council community warden.Image 3 of 6
Milltownpass Active Retirement Group stall.Image 4 of 6
Visitors enjoying their dinner in Milltownpass Community Centre at the Pride of Place presentation.Image 5 of 6
Milltownpass Community Centre, which hosted the Pride of Place judges.Image 6 of 6
Artwork on the way into the hall.Other towns and villages could find it difficult to match the dedication and pride that Milltownpass demonstrated last Friday, as locals welcomed the Pride of Place judges.
They were escorted around the village before returning to Milltownpass Community Centre, where the people of the area demonstrated why they were chosen to represent Westmeath.
The community centre was full of stalls and decorations, all celebrating the village in one way or another. They ranged from the Scouts group, showcasing people past and present, to Milltownpass GAA and LGFA, and Milltownpass Tidy Towns. Music was provided by local musicians to cement the positive mood that visitors experienced during the event.
Chairperson of Milltownpass Tidy Towns, John Delamere, thanked the judges and Milltownpass residents. “It’s been an incredible honour to be chosen to represent our county of Westmeath and to wear that maroon and white jersey with distinction and pride.
“We are so fortunate to have the judges with us here today, and I hope that they got a good gauge of everything that goes on in this community.
“We hope you have had a fulfilling visit. You’ve seen us at our best; we’ve endeavoured to put our best forward.”
Ann Duignan, Secretary of Milltownpass Community Action Group, spoke to the Westmeath Examiner during the day’s festivities: “This is a big day for Milltownpass, although we are a small village, we are quite locked in with GAA, Tidy Towns and community action groups.
“We are so proud of the village and proud to have been nominated by Westmeath County Council for this award.
“The support has been fantastic, and it shows that the biggest thing here in Milltownpass is actually the people.”
Among the groups present on the day was the 9th Westmeath Milltownpass Scout Group, who had a stall detailing all of their activities and a poster with one of their young scouts on the front.
Group leader Fiona O’Shea said: “It’s been a wonderful effort that has gone in from all across the community over the past couple of months to prepare for today. We are a small village, so this is a great honour to have been chosen as the Westmeath entry into this competition.
“We are all so hopeful, as everyone has done their best to showcase the very best of the village and all of the volunteer initiatives in Milltownpass.”