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THE clock is ticking towards the time when a group of judges will arrive in Tralee to consider if the town should be the champion of Europe in the Entente Florale 2014.

There’s only one month to go to the big day – July 31 is when Tralee will be scrutinised as part of the international Tidy Towns Competition that aims to promote a greener and more pleasant environment in European towns and villages.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our town and its facilities, and the brilliant and talented people who live here,” said CEO of Tralee Chamber Alliance, Kieran Ruttledge.

“The winning of a Silver or Gold medal in this prestigious competition would attract international attention and provide a stimulus for tourism and job creation. Potentially, it could be worth millions in the long run and the only thing that the people of Tralee need to do is to make sure the town is looking at its best to creative a winning impression on the Judges,” said Kieran.

The Judges will arrive in Tralee on Wednesday July 30th and the judging will take place on Thursday July 31st after a welcome event in The Square.

They can visit any part of the town but the prescribed judging route is the Castleisland approach, Manor West Retail Park, Killerisk Road, Manor Village, Castlemorris, Ballymullen, Clonmore Road, Dean’s Lane, Tobar Naofa, Moyderwell Primary School, Moyderwell/Boherbee, Upper Castle Street, St John’s Avenue, Town Park, Denny Street, Lower Castle Street, Ashe Street, The Mall, Bridge Street, The Square, Dominic Street, Denny Lane, Kerry County Museum, Siamsa Tíre Theatre, Ivy Terrace, Princes Quay, Blennerville, Ballyard Road, Tralee Bay Wetlands, Dan Spring Road, Ballymullen, Killerisk Road and Rathass.

“We appeal to business owners and residents in these areas to make an extra special effort to ensure their business premises or homes are in a clean, tidy and well maintained condition,” said Kieran Ruttledge.

The addition of a flower box or basket would be an additional bonus. The checklist below may helpful and ask yourself if you need to:

• Remove weeds/residue dust/debris/litter from your own entrance
• Remove/replace excess/redundant signage/damaged signage
• Replace, wash/paint/store away/empty bins
• Sweep/wash/scrub down the footpaths outside your entrance
• Clean/paint the entrance walls, railings and fences
• Trim/prune/replace any hedges, trees and shrubs
• Mow, weed or feed your lawn
• Encourage family members, neighbours and customers to join the Tralee Entente Florale effort

Kieran Ruttledge paid tribute to everyone on the Tralee Entente Florale Team who have already been busy with the preparations for the judging process.

Anyone who wishes to get involved in the project can do so by contacting Tralee Chamber Alliance, 18 Denny Street, Tralee or email info@Tralee.ie.