Harvest Mile Competition
Background Information
This Rural Action initiative aims to encourage and reward rurally based community groups in their attempts to improve a specific part of their local area.
The upkeep of roads and features in County Meath is often overlooked. With co-operation between the Council and Community Groups in the Harvest Mile Competition, these areas can be enhanced.
The Harvest Mile Competition encourages local groups including community groups, Tidy Towns Groups, youth clubs, ICA groups, schools or individuals to tackle a specific location and to improve its visual beauty. All work must be undertaken with a view to the natural habitat that every stretch of road provides for a myriad of creatures.
Application Process:
There are certain rules that should be followed:
- Groups must pick a mile stretch of tertiary road in their locality as their ‘Harvest Mile’. Please read the "Meath Harvest Mile Information and Guidelines" document below to guide you on your choice of walk and the judging criteria.
- Whilst walks should be chosen for their natural beauty, it is important to note that throughout the judging of this competition original features will gain extra points.
- The beginning and the end of the mile must be marked with a sign for clear identification. As a rule of thumb, when the judges visit the Harvest Mile it should be reminiscent of a beautifully kept stretch of road with the traditional look of bygone times – and should look much the same today as it might have 100 years ago.
- Safety should be addressed for walkers and drivers with regard to drainage, road verges, corners.
- What is the quality and mix of trees and their appropriate management?
- The quality and condition of structures, walls, bridges, gates.
- The absence of litter and tidiness of farmyards as seen from the road and the general peaceful rural character suitable for walking and community co-operation.
- With your application you must include a rough map of the area you have chosen, with direction from closest local landmark if necessary.
Meath County Council Assistance:
- Advice and assistance will also be given to any individual query or concern a group may have.
- A start up grant is available to each group up to the value of €300 for tools and equipment. The grant is payable on receipt of invoices at the end of the competition. During the summer months the real work begins and will continue until the judging phase is complete. Judging takes place in September.
- Prizes are awarded to the top three winners. All judging reports will be available on request afterwards.
Application Form and Guidelines
Below please find the Harvest Mile Application Form for 2011. Complete and return to:
Bernadine Carry,
Pride of Place Initiatives,
Meath County Council,
Abbey Mall,
Abbey Road,
Navan,
Co Meath
Tel: 046 9097400 Email: bcarry@meathcoco.ie
Meath Harvest Mile Information and Guidelines