Excitement builds in Laois for Pride of Place Awards Judging Day

This year County Laois will be represented in the 2023 IPB All Island Pride of Place Competition by Camross in the Population under 500 category and SVT Activity and Wellness Hub in the Community Wellness Category.

The All Island Competition, which is sponsored by IPB Insurances and hosted by Co-operation Ireland, gives communities across Ireland, the opportunity to display how proud they are to live in, work in and take care of their own local areas.

The Pride of Place competition is a wonderful opportunity  to recognise initiatives taken by local communities and to celebrate the vital contribution that they make to society.

The judges will visit Camross between 2pm and 5pm on Wednesday, July 19.

Camross village sits at the foothill of the Slieve Bloom Mountains and is identifiable through its beautiful forestry, countryside and farms in addition to strong cultural and sporting aspects such as Comhaltas and the GAA sport.

Camross used their Community Development Plan 2019 to inform an extensive Village Regeneration Project, where recreational and quality of life services were placed to the fore.

The judges will view “The Hub”, a multipurpose/recreational building providing a gym, industrial kitchen, training and remote working facilities. They will continue their visit to the Community Park, which is a 4.2-acre sports/recreational facility including a 600m looped walkway meandering alongside a pristine river habitat with Outdoor Classroom, Community Garden, and extensive biodiversity features. 

Meanwhile, preparations are underway in Stradbally and Vicarstown, where the judges will visit between 10am and 1pm on Thursday,July 20, to experience the SVT Activity and Wellness Hub, which was established in 2015. The aim of the SVT Hub is to improve the general health and wellbeing of the community of Stradbally, Vicarstown and Timahoe, through wellbeing initiatives and physical activities.

Vicarstown has emerged as a Hub of diverse activities and initiatives with a Natural Play Trail, summer activity camps such as Parks Tennis, older adults and retirees attending Tai Chi and Yoga classes, adults and children participating in the two weekly Park Runs, Canoeing and Kayaking and weekly cycles for both physical and mental health and wellness.

The Barrow Blueway adds another attractive element, where people can now come from further afield to experience these activities. The judges will commence their visit with a presentation in the Stradbally Library and Arthouse, will visit some of the natural backdrops for several outdoor activities including heritage walks, cycle routes at Oughaval woods and see the peace and tranquillity that can be enjoyed there.

The itinerary includes Park Tennis in Vicarstown and finishes with an exciting showcase on the banks of the Canal at Vicarstown.

If you or your group wish to get involved in the preparation for the judging at any of these locations, you can contact the Pride of Place Liaison Officer on (057) 8664060 or email popawards2023@laoiscoco.ie  All help will be gratefully accepted! 

Best of luck to Camross and SVT Activity and Wellness Hub in this years’  IPB All Island Pride of Place Competition 2023,  in association with Co-operation Ireland, supported by Laois County Council.