CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
It is a joy to stand before you tonight in this Tidy Randalstown’s 13th year since being established.
Out of a group of nine founder members three still remain - Gerry, Suzanne and Helen, all of whom are trustees of the charity along with Robert, Moore, Jane, Stephanie, Donnie and Linda. We are pleased to report that Olive MacLeod OBE has been co-opted on to the Committee since our last AGM.
Constituted with ANBC in 2013 our name Tidy Randalstown reflects only the focus of our early efforts. For the last seven years Horticulture, Environment and Community together now lie at the core of everything we do. Inextricably linked and powerful in their impact these three foci have proven themselves to be the instruments of change to our town and, as a result, Randalstown is now a very desirable place to live.
In 2024 we are pleased to report that we won nine awards. These were:
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Best Kept Small Town in Northern Ireland
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Best of the Best in Northern Ireland
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Best Kept Small Town in Ireland
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Best Kept Town in Ireland
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Ulster in Bloom (Small Town of category winner)
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RHS Britain in Bloom -Gold Award
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another RHS Community Champion
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Live Here Love Here Legacy Award
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Green Flag Community Award for Elevation.
The long list of awards I have just given is awesome. It is an immense achievement and is testament to the amazing family of talented volunteers we now have.
Please let me tell you what makes our volunteers such a powerful force. Firstly consider the hours the volunteers work In 2024 this was a grand total of 8435 hours (bar chart). Did you know that this is equivalent to more than having 4 full-time workers in our town 12 months of the year?
Secondly:
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they care about the environment
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they are willing to work in most weathers
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they thrive on a challenge
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they are skilled and committed
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they have a genuine interest in each other
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they work 12 months of the year
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they want to build community
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they are willing to take on leadership rules - this is pivotal to the smooth running of our Monday and Wednesday work groups.
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they make their own fun as they work
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they see the best in each other
I also want to pay tribute to the Tidy Randalstown Committee/ Trustees. They all give immense thought on how best to: consistently keep our vision clear, fulfill our goals, deliver our projects, manage the finances, look after our volunteers, organise work sessions, communicate with residents, businesses, other community groups and ANBC.
Each member has designated roles and these can be sizeable to say the least. Ask any one of them and they will verify this! Without their strong support, diligence and willingness to give a big amount of their time to all of the above TR would not be flourishing as it is, nor would I be able to do my job.
Our treasurer and secretary work hard in addition to this and, as with the rest of the committee, they are a joy for me to work with.
I have been very heartened by the continued moral, practical and financial support which this community gives us. Events throughout the year have been very well supported, have brought immense enjoyment and have strengthened bonds. Our close working relationship with our Council and our public representatives has reaped rewards more than we could have imagined.
As we go forward into 2025 may we strive to be true to our vision, considerate of each other and continue to bring harmony and joy to the town which we cherish.
Thank you. Helen Boyd Chairperson
23/01/2025
Volunteer Hours 2024
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1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Total Hours - 8435
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