Community flocks to launch of Clara Town First Plan
The plans and team were met with enthusiasm
THERE was an amazing turn out at the launch of the Clara Town Centre First Plan and the formal introduction of the Town Centre First Team. The event took place in the STAR in Clara on Thursday evening July 25.
Cathaoirleach of TMD (Tullamore Municipal District) Councillor Frank Moran, pledged his support for the regeneration of Clara, as he formally launched the Town Centre First Plan. Cllr. Moran thanked his colleagues in the Council for their support, noting that what is good for Clara is good for Offaly, and what is good for Offaly is good for Clara. He then emphasised the importance of the community working together, and of working in partnership with Offaly County Council.
In her welcome address, Bernie Henry the Chair of the town team described the people working within Offaly County Council as authentic and genuinely interested in developing Clara and Offaly.
Anna Marie Delaney, CEO of Offaly County Council praised the work of the community of Clara and their enthusiastic involvement in the creation of their Town Centre First Plan. She also praised the Town Regeneration Officer, Olwen Cummins, and her team for their dedication and committment to the development of the TCF (town centre first) Plan. The CEO expressed her delight at the creation of a Chamber of Commerce for Clara, and noted the importance of an active Chamber in driving commerce in the town.
The National coordinator of the Town Centre First Initiative Ms. Mairead Hunt, travelled to the event and in her address to the floor noted that there were few towns in Ireland with such active community involvement in the development of their TCF Plan.
Ms. Olwen Cummins, praised the Town Team for their hard work during the long winter evenings over the past two years. She mentioned how both she and the consultants, commissioned to develop the plan (Urban Agency) were blown over with the level of community involvement and the preparation done in advance by the community, to ensure that the plan reflected the wishes of the community of Clara.
Cllr. Aoife Masterson, Cllr. Neil Feighery and Rev Cannon Isaac Delamare also attended the event. Apologies and good wishes were sent by many other councillors.
Local MEP, Barry Cowen, sent congratulations and his support to both Offaly County Council and the Town Team. Minister Pippa Hackett, who was represented at the event by Liam Walsh, sent good wishes to Clara and looked forward to seeing the projects as they develop.
Laois Offaly TD, Carol Nolan, was sorry she was unable to attend but wished the town every success on the implementation of the plan.
A moments silence was had for the late Councillor Ken Smollen, and condolences offered to his family and his wife Sandy, who plays an integral role within the Town Team.
Despite the serious nature of the evening, the event was an enjoyable summer soiree, and the large crowds in attendance were treated to a magnificent array of refreshments, organised by Martin Tempany and his crew. Live music from Jojo Bracken, accompanied by John Byrne on saxophone, entertained the gathering as they meandered around the exhibits examining the 15 projects contained with the plan.
An exciting time for Clara and it was wonderful to see so many young people, and new comers to town, in attendance, as the TCF plan is their future. One young boy involved in the scouting community said, “I simply cannot wait to see the river opened and developed”.
The Town Team would like to thank all the community groups for their involvement and support and hope to continue this community involvement right through to 2030, when it is hoped that the projects will be well on the road to implementation. A special thank you to the committee of the Clara Heritage Society, who initiated the setting up of the Cara Town Team, and facilitate the setting up of the Chamber of Commerce, a group now very active within the Town Team.
A big thank you to Midland Sacks who made the boards for the exhibits, to Tullamore Carpets for supplying the red carpet which set the tone for the evening, to the GAA for the use of the hall, in particular to Kevin Roe (the caretaker), to Ronan Kenny, Joe Rabbitt, May Fitzpatrick, Tommy Minnock and Angela Naughton for their hard work in setting up the venue, to Aideen Brenan & Anna Simonsen for their technical support, to Joe Egan and Anna Orman who spearheaded the subcommittee that organised the event, to Centra, La Bella Vita Cakes, Delora Bracken & Jells Kitchen for their role with the food, and to the wonderful work of Martin, Kirsty, Caitlin, Isabel and Anne, who spent the entire evening looking after everybody.
The Clara Town Centre First Team’s webpage and Facebook page are now active, under the directorship of Webmaster, Karl Mulligan, and Communications Officer, Anna Orman. The event was funded by Offaly County Council, Tullamore Municipal District, Offaly Arts Office and the Clara Heritage Soceity.