Mount William Residents Association among winners at PPN Awards
At a glittering ceremony in Dungarvan’s Park Hotel on Thursday, November 24th, Mount William Residents Association was announced as the winner of the PPN (Public Participation Network) Spik and Span / Best Kept Residential Area.
The Waterford PPN Community and Voluntary Awards recognise and celebrate the commitment and vibrancy of the community and voluntary sector and the value of the contributions made by community groups.
Spik & Span / Best Kept Residential award recognises housing estates, streets, residential areas, and apartment complexes working together to improve community facilities enhancing the appearance of the area, creating a sense of pride and inclusivity in their area, and making it an attractive place to live.
Mount William, a housing development on the Williamstown Road, was officially opened by the Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. John O’ Leary in August this year.
At the official launch, the mayor commended the residents for their strong community bonds saying, “From the outset of this development and especially since its completion, it’s evident that there is strong sense of community here.
“Shortly after all the properties were allocated, the residents of Mount William formed a residents’ association and quickly set about establishing a sense of identity and strong bonds, both within the estate itself and the wider area.”
It was this work in improving the surrounding green areas and commitment to enhancing the public spaces in the estate that impressed the judges.
Michael Murphy, Waterford City and County Council Estate and Tenancy Manager said, “The PPN Awards are a wonderful opportunity for community and voluntary groups to get the recognition they so rightly deserve.
“Specifically, the Spik and Span award demonstrates community spirit within housing estates and the incredible effort that residents’ associations put in each year. It was fantastic to see the trojan efforts of the Mount William Residents Association coming out with the top prize,as adjudicated by Cork PPN judges.”
The judges remarked that for such a young estate and association Mount William Residents Association is really showing what can be done with ‘People Power’, adding that the ‘formula’ should be rolled out across every estate nationwide as they have really started so strong, and it is definitely a winning formula.
Michael added, “Congratulations to all the shortlisted groups, Belvedere Manor Residents Association and St. Annes Court, Lemybrien for the excellent calibre of their projects.”
Keith Wall, Chairperson and Lauren Reade, Treasurer, were delighted to accept the award on behalf of Mount William Residents Association. “After a fantastic evening, we are still very much shocked that we have won the Spik and Span award. Being a residents association for less than a year we hope this will encourage many more to join us in making Mount William a positive and proud place to live.
“We are very excited and delighted to finish out 2022 on a high. We will continue the projects that we have started and hopefully get ideas and feedback from the residents on what we can do next for 2023.”