A Laois Tidy Towns group is holding an emergency meeting to source new volunteers, as the group is at risk of dissolving.

Stradbally Tidy Towns is at 'a critical point' due to its lack of volunteers.

The group oversees the general upkeep of the town, along with the organising of the Christmas Market, the Christmas Tree and Christmas lights, and many other projects that enhance the community.

"This is a serious situation. Without officers and volunteers, the group cannot legally or practically function," chairperson Ann Simpson told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Pictured: Stradbally Tidy Towns hard at work in 2023.

Stradbally Tidy Towns are in urgent need of a secretary, committee members, on the ground volunteers and administrative support.

"The Tidy Towns group has been a very small committee for a few years, in 2018 we got together and brought it on a bit further. We need people to come in and take it over, to put fresh eyes on it, otherwise it will disappear," she said.

"I am on the committee for the last few years as chairperson- we need to change this. People have different views and can bring in different ideas, otherwise it just becomes tired," Ms Simpson said.

The group recently tried to establish a programme to monitor the local river for invasive species, but were unable to do so due to the lack of members. 

"There is money for these initiatives, there are ways we can enhance the town and make it more attractive and a destination for people.

"We have a lot to offer in Stradbally, we just need to hone in on it and help people realise that we have a unique little town. There's a lot of heritage in the town, and heritage buildings. It really is such a nice town," Ms Simpson praised.

The extraordinary general meeting will be held in St Colmans NS on March 24.

"We need a whole new committee, and volunteers to help with our projects. It's one hour a week to help with planting our planters, cleaning them and keeping them weeded and watered.

"They are little jobs that make a difference in the enhancement of the town, making it pretty and keeping it clean," the chairperson said.

Currently, there are only five members on the Stradbally Tidy Towns committee, with some volunteers assisting in events such as the Christmas market and the bluebell and bug hunts.

"We need officers for our paperwork, and to keep an eye for grants we can apply for. We need someone who can fill out the Tidy Towns Awards application form. There's a good bit of work to it and it's not an easy job.

"Our former secretary Eimear has done a fantastic job with it so far, but she has other commitments. We need a new secretary," she explained.

The Tidy Towns group have said that they would be delighted if local businesses would support their efforts, highlighting that their work could help generate footfall and business to the town.

"We would love to get businesses involved, it's their town too. Having people come visit our town, it helps all the businesses. It would be great to have the businesses involved and be supported in this."

"We have volunteers for some events during the year, and they mightn't assist the rest of the year, but that's fine," Ms Simpson said.

"We are happy for their help, but we need more committee members. Otherwise, people will step away as they are not getting the support. We would lose our Christmas market and Christmas lights, we were hoping to fundraise for a new Christmas tree this year. If we don't have the support locally, we lose it."

"Stradbally has so much to offer Laois. If you value what Tidy Towns does for Stradbally, now is the time to step forward," Ms Simpson said.

"The future of the group depends on community support," she finished.

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Stradbally Tidy Towns will hold their extraordinary general meeting on Tuesday, March 24 at 7:30pm in St Colman's NS.

All are strongly encouraged to attend.