Harvest Mile Competition

Competition Results

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:

• A workshop will be held providing expert advice with regard to management of hedgerows, road verges, and wildlife.
• Advice and assistance will also be given to any individual query or concern a group may have. This will be followed up by an on-site consultation with an expert to address site specific concerns.
• 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 2009. Complete and return to: Bernadine Carry or Avril Young, Pride of Place Initiatives, Ashbourne Civic Offices, Meath County Council, 1-2 Killegland Square Upper, Killegland Street, Ashbourne, Co Meath

For further information please contact: Tel: 01 8358030. Email: bcarry@meathcoco.ie Or ayoung@meathcoco.ie  

Harvest Mile Application Form 2009 doc, 64kb

Meath Harvest Mile Information and Guidelines doc, 701kb

List of Harvest Miles entered in Pride of Place Competition 2008

• Enfield Environment Group
• Killyon Community Development
• Rathmolyon Community Group
• Simonstown Lane Residents
• Friends of Tara
• Rathfeigh Historical Society
• Broomfield & District Residents Assoc
• Newtown Road Residents Assoc
• Oldcastle Tidy Towns
• Rackenstown Residents Assoc
• Batterstown Village Enhancement
• Dunsany Pride of Place

Harvest Mile Winners 2008

• Oldcastle Tidy Towns - Best Community Effort
• Killyon, Hill of Down - Best New Mile
• Dunsany Pride of Place - Cleanest Mile
• Rathfeith Historical Society - Mile with most potential
• Broomfield & District Residents Assoc - Special award for painted gates
• Enfield Environment Group - 2nd Prize
• Simonstown Lane Residents - 1st Prize
  

List of Harvest Miles entered in Pride of Place Competition 2007

• Simonstown Residents Association - Simonstown Lane, Navan
• Dunsany Pride of Place Team - Killeen Road Dunsany
• Rathfeigh Historical Society - Old Road, Rathfeigh
• Broomfield and District Residents Association- Boyd's Bridge to Lambert's Bridge,
• Broomfield and District Residents Association - Hurcle Road
• Broomfield and District Residents Association - Clogher Rd to White Cross
• Newtown Road Residents Association – Newtown Road, Kilmainhamwood
• Athboy Tidy Towns – Navan Road, Athboy
• Rathmolyon Community Group – Rathmolyon
• Enfield Environment Group – Enfield
• Kilskyre Pride of Place
• Fordstown Girley Community Development Association

Harvest Mile Winners 2007

• Best New Walk:                      Kilskyre Harvest Walk
• Best Clean up Effort:                Enfield Harvest Walk
• Best Community Spirit:            Simonstown Lane
• 2nd place:                                Kilmainhamwood 
• 1st place:                                 Broomfield & District (Boyds Bridge-Lamberts Bridge)