The judges arrived in Tallow on Tuesday to adjudicate in the All-Island Pride of Place competition organised in conjunction with Co-Operation Ireland. The town was looking resplendent for their arrival. Derelict paintings had all been given a coat of paint - and better - dressed up to blend in with adjoining buildings. There wasn't a sweet wrapper or cigarette butt to the seen but something that could be seen in abundance was flowers. Hanging baskets and planters full of colourful blooms were everywhere. Common areas had been cleaned up and planted, all streets had been freshly swept.

The town was entered in the tourism category of the competition, having submitted its Gathering event held over the June bank holiday weekend for consideration. The committee set up to organise the event was the same one that remained together to work on preparing the town for the Pride of Place competition.

They organised a presentation in the Arch Ballroom. The whole community, from the very young to senior citizens, turned out. Don Tuohy of the economic and community development section of Waterford County Council opened the proceedings and welcomed people. Gerty Murphy of the Tóstal Committee acted as MC. She said Tallow was 'a town united with one purpose - to drive forward'. Judges Blaise Treacy and Terry Ó Niadh gave a brief outline of the competition. County mayor, Cllr Damien Geoghegan gave an address and the chairman of Tallow Community Council Michael O'Keefe also spoke.

The chairman of Tallow Tóstal Committee, Cllr John Pratt explained how the homecoming Gathering event was organised. He said it was the biggest event ever undertaken in Tallow and revealed that it is to become an annual event over Whit weekend.

"We are already reaping the benefits in both business and tourism and when the current projects are completed, we will move forward with more improvements," he said. The participation of all the community and the tremendous assistance they'd received from staff of Waterford County Council had helped Tallow to grow in reputation and stature, he added, and they looked forward to continuing that growth in the years ahead.

He thanked Waterford county council's tourism officer Mary Houlihan and her team, for their guidance in setting up their Gathering event. He saluted the people of Tallow for their efforts and said: "I look forward to our committees working together as we face the future with pride in our town."

A presentation was then made by Gerty Murphy with video clips of their Gathering event shown before the judges were treated to a short pageant  before refreshments were served and further entertainment was laid on.

Then there was time for the judges to meet and greet the clubs, organisations and local businesses who had display stands all around the hall, demonstrating the vibrant business, social, cultural and sporting life of the town.

The judges were then taken in pony and traps to see the enhancement works done in Tallow. They visited the new Michael Prendergast road and other areas of interest.

Now it's over to the judges to make their deliberations and decide if Tallow is worthy of the prize. Helen Bennett of Tallow Enterprise Centre summed it up succinctly when she said: "If we don't win it won't be for the want of trying." Anyone who saw how lovely Tallow was looking on Tuesday would find it hard to disagree!

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