Tributes to ex-Wexford TD Michael D’Arcy

By Dan Walsh

Tributes have been pouring in following the news of the death of former Wexford TD Michael D’Arcy who gave a lifetime to politics and served the people of the Wexford constituency with diligence and loyalty throughout his lifetime. He is aged 90 years.

MICHAEL D’ARCY (Pic; Gorey Echo/Christy Farrell 2012)

Born on March 7th, 1934, Michael D’Arcy spent a lifetime in politics as a Fine Gael member of Dail Éireann, Seanad Éireann, Wexford County Council and Gorey Town Council

His political career began in 1958, when his father Timothy D’Arcy died and Michael was co-opted to his Wexford County Council seat, which he served for 15 years.

He served as a TD and Minister of State in a number of governments, having been first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1977 where he held his seat until 1987 when he lost in a General Election to Brendan Howlin (Labour Party).

In 1981, in Garrett Fitzgerald’s first government, D’Arcy was appointed a Minister of State for Agriculture and in Fitzgerald’s second government in 1982, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Fisheries and Forestry and at the Department of the Gaeltacht. He was dismissed in February 1986.

He regained his seat in the Dail in 1989 at the expense of Avril Doyle, who regained her seat in 1992 while Michael D’Arcy was elected to the 20th Seanad on the Agricultural Panel.

In the 1997 General Election he was returned to the 28th Dail, again unseating party colleague Avril Doyle before losing the seat himself in the 2002 General Election to Independent candidate Dr. Liam Twomey, who later joined the Fine Gael Party.

He was elected to Gorey Town Council for the first time in 1999. When Michael D’Arcy was elected Chairman of Gorey Town Council in June 2012 he was “the oldest Chairperson of a local authority in the country”. The following year he was re-elected to the position and in May 2014 chaired the last ever meeting of Gorey Town Council which was held in the Market House as a symbolic gesture, although the new Civic Offices had opened in 2012 and council business had been transferred there.

D’Arcy is married to Marie, and their son Michael W. Darcy is a former TD and Senator.

FAMILY NOTICE; The death has taken place of MICHAEL D’ARCY, Annagh, Gorey, (Peacefully surrounded by his loving family and in the care of the nurses and staff of Oakfield Nursing Home, Courtown) on May 1st 2024.

Beloved wife of Marie and loving father of Jude, Michael, Liam and the late Shirley, brother of Peggy, Emily, Nora, Frank and the late Jim. Deeply regretted by his wife, sons, daughter, brother, sisters, grandchildren Alex, Aoife, Ashley, Bill, Siobhan, Marie, Judith, Paddy, Catherine, Luke and Alyssa, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

May Michael Rest In Heavenly Peace.

Reposing at Murphy’s Funeral Home, The Avenue, Gorey, on Thursday, May 2nd from 3pm with removal at 7 pm to St. Peter and Paul’s Church Kilanerin arriving for 7.30pm. Funeral Mass on Friday at 11am followed by burial in Limbrick Cemetery Kilanerin.

Ambitious plan for Gorey Market House unveiled

The proposed restoration of the Market House on Gorey’s Main Street progresses as a Part 8 application for funding will be lodged immediately.

By Dan Walsh at special meeting at Civic Offices, Gorey

Members of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council held a special meeting in the Civic Offices, Gorey, today (Tuesday) where they unanimously gave consent to Wexford County Council to proceed to commence the Part 8 process that will restore the Market House to its original condition “with vision and ambition that will provide a transformative extension of high-quality design.”

The project is estimated to cost €8.1 million and funding will be sought through THRIVE (the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme) that aims to transform publicly owned vacant or derelict heritage buildings within town centres through renovation, renewal and adaptive reuse.

Gorey Market House was chosen as Wexford County Council’s proposed project, plans were presented at today’s special meeting, and it is proposed to commence the Part 8 process tomorrow, May 1st and a decision should be known in June.

The meeting heard that public consultation events were held recently in Gorey Library and the Market House building and a mix of workshops for directly invited community groups also took place. Groups working with the Council on the proposed projects include Gorey Community Development Group and North Wexford Historical Society.

Director of Services Liz Hore introduced the project saying that the restoration of Gorey Market House has been identified as a priority for the district as it is designated a heritage building, the Part 8 proposal will be in Wednesday’s newspaper and the application will be submitted on Friday.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen thanked everybody who assisted with the project, and he expressed his delight. “I want to thank those associated with getting it to where it is today.”

Cllr Anthony Donohoe said it was an ambitious plan – he liked the umbrellas like they have in Wexford town! – and added that he is fully in favour of the project.

Cllr Joe Sullivan complemented the design team and felt “it has something for everybody “and he said to proceed to Part 8. “It’s as good as anything seen in the last 10 years. Let’s hope we get the finance,” he added.

Cllr Andrew Bolger had some questions about the cost and making up the shortfall if there was a difference. His queries were addressed.

Cllr Donal Kenny expressed credit to Sean Meylar and his team and added that “everyone in Gorey is passionate about the Market House” and he fully supported the proposal. “It links the Market Square and the Main Street and ticks all the boxes,” he added.

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux described the plan as “absolutely fabulous”. He felt it was “the heart and centre of the town space and will be there for everybody. “It is joining the original architecture of the town with the Main Stret,” he added.

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin added his support but said “there was no place to display the heritage of the past over the past 12 years – military uniforms, memorabilia, photographs and other historical items that are locked in attics and felt they could be displayed in the exhibition corridor.”

However, Ms. Hore said the space would be for multi-purpose use – it is not going to be a museum – and she patiently pointed out that historic exhibits need proper ventilation and storage to prevent deterioration and the newly renovated Market House would not facilitate these conditions.

HISTORY OF GOREY MARKET HOUSE; The Market House has had a turbulent history, and some would argue that the chapter remains to be completed, but it has served Gorey well and dates back to 1709 when it was rebuilt on the site of the former Tholsol. The cost came from the salaries of George and Andrew Ram, members of Gorey Corporation and members of Parliament for Gorey.

Gorey Town Commissioners were established in 1859, became Gorey Town Council in 1987 and when the town council was abolished in 2014 to make way for Gorey Municipal District Council, the final meeting took place in the Market House. History source; Historic Gorey by Michael Fitzpatrick, pub. 1987).

Wexford May Bush Festival begins today in Ballindaggin

By Dan Walsh

The May Bush is traditionally erected on the eve of May Day (April 30) and decorated with ribbons, seasonal flowers, painted eggshells and sometimes lights. Michael Fortune and his wife Aileen Lambert resurrected the tradition around the May Bush in 2017 in Wexford with ‘The Wexford May Bush Festival’ and now have hundreds of individuals, communities and groups putting up the May Bushes all over the county.

The popular Decorate the May Bush and Procession kicks off this evening (May Eve) in Ballindaggin vullage and has become Wexford’s flagship event and has grown considerably every year. This is the biggest May Bush event in the county and the annual procession and decoration of the village May Bush in the Community Park in Ballindaggin takes place. The procession will be led by the 2024 May Queen and King from Ballindaggin National School with music provided by St. Colman’s Pipe Band. There will be traditional music at the event thanks to local musicians Deirdre Jordan, Anna Mai White, Paddy Joyce and friends, while there will be songs, music and dancing by pupils from Ballindaggin school. There will also be a rare guest appearance of the full set of the Camross ICA Mummers.

Another major event takes place on Saturday, May 4th at 8pm in Ballindaggin Hall – the May Bush Concert and Dance. A feast of traditional music, song and dance featuring some of the finest traditional musicians, young and old.

Michael and Aileen are avid supporters of traditional music and song and have curated a programme that is hard to beat with special guests husband and wife duo Paddy and Nicola Egan, plus local musicians Leah Sweeney, Deirdre and James Jordan, Aileen Lambert, Annette Roban plus young traditional musicians and singers from Ballindaggin National School. Paddy Egan is a renowned concertina player from the Egan family of Parkbridge in Co. Wicklow and will be joined by his equally talented wife Nicola on uilleann pipes. As for local musicians, Leah Sweeney is one of Wexford’s rising stars on concertina while the organisers are thrilled to get brother and sister Deirdre and James Jordan on stage together.

One of the success stories of The Wexford May Bush Festival is the reach it has had on the ground and Michael works on the principle that “you are the festival”. So by putting up your May Bush in Craanford or Campile or in Kilanne or Killenagh – you are the festival, and you are part of the ground-up success which has seen the tradition revived in every corner of Wexford.

This is the third year of The May Bush Schools competition and Michael Forune tells us “there was a great uptake all over the county and schools are such an important part of this story”. This year he is asking schools to put up their May Bushes and submit your May Bush photos to folklore.ie@gmail.com, naming your school, class teacher and class involved by Thursday, May 2nd, and be in with a chance to win a host of goodies for your school. 

Minister visits Rosslare school

MINISTER JACK CHAMBERS meets School Principal BOBBY KENNY and the pupils of Scoil Mhuire, Rosslare, to mark the completion of the Safer Routes to School Scheme.

By Dan Walsh

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Environment, Climate and Communications, Jack Chambers visited Scoil Mhuire National School, Rosslare, recently to mark completion of the ‘Safe Routes to School Scheme’ works there. Minister Chambers mingled with staff and students alike to discuss the scheme and welcome the upgrade works.

Cllr John Fleming, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council hosted the event, attended by Minister of State, James Browne and Cllrs Jim Moore, Ger Carthy, Lisa McDonald, Jim Codd and Frank Staples alongside representatives from the NTA (National Transport Authority), An Taisce and Green Schools.

Cllr. Fleming thanked the elected members and school principal, Bobby Kenny for their support of the scheme which ‘has seen installation of footpaths and pedestrian crossings surrounding the school to allow students, parents and buggies walk and wheel to school.

Cllr Fleming remarked that; “It’s easy to forget that only a few months ago there were no footpaths in front of the school. Today there are children running outside, parents in conversation and reduced congestion outside the school. In addition, 250 metres of new footpath overlooking the sea on the Coast Road linking to Mauritiustown where many students here today travel from.”

School Principal, Bobby Kenny thanked all involved saying and said everyone is thrilled to unveil these fantastic upgrades. “This project has transformed the way our students arrive at school. Previously, parked cars on footpaths created a dangerous situation and restricted access for everyone, especially young children, parents with buggies, and wheelchair users. Today the attractive new lighting and landscaping elements not only enhance safety but also create a more cheerful and welcoming approach to the school.”

The Active Travel Team in Wexford County Council designed and supervised the project with works completed appointed contractor Paddy McGee Ltd.

The Safe Routes to School Scheme is a national programme to improve safety at school gates, increase walking and cycling and alleviate congestion in front of schools.

Rob James extends championship lead

By Dan Walsh

Three fixtures across the country and a nine-race card at Borris House made for a busy point-to-point Sunday and doubles for rider/handler Rob James, Jonathan Fogarty and Sean Doyle. Doubles for riders Jack Hendrick and Barry Stone. And in addition, a treble for Rob James puts him on the 34-winner mark for the season, four in front of defending champion Barry O’Neill.

At Borris House the Matchmaker Syndicate, handler and rider Rob James took both divisions of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings; Moneygarrow by two lengths in division one and Draco Malfoy by one length in division two.

The maiden race for five-year-olds was divided and Rob James clinched an early treble with newcomer Sporting Glance for Matthew Flynn O’Connor who had six lengths to spare. Inishnabro won the second division of this race for Jonathan Fogarty, Gaynestown Stud, Cleariestown and rider Conor Moore. Ten lengths the verdict.

ROB JAMES has gone four ahead of Barry O’Neill in the national point-to-point riders’ championship with three winners yesterday (Sunday) at Borris House.

Sean Doyle and Jamie Scallan won both divisions of the four-year-old maiden race; Kadjat Des Mottes by an easy 16 lengths in division one and Marcel Magic – both newcomers – by two lengths.

Robert Tector, Coolbawn, Rathnure, saddled his second winner of the weekend when O’Grady’s Hill (Brian Dunleavy up) came home eight lengths to the good in the maiden race for five-year-olds plus mares.

The final race of the day at the busy Borris House track provided handler Pat O’Rourke, Clonard, Wexford, with a well-deserved two lengths success with Due Course ridden by the handlers’ son, James O’Rourke.

Wings And Wands get the better of the opposition in a ‘neck and neck’ finish to the maiden race for four-year-old mares for Pierce Power from The Hook ridden by Shane O’Rourke.

There was a strong winning Wexford presence at Tattersalls, Co. Meath, today where Barry Stone enjoyed a first and last race double. Newcomer Easy Love had two and a half lengths to spare in the maiden race for four-year-old mares handled by Jonathan Fogarty, who also had a winner at Borris House – so a winning double on the day. Mullanour owned by Frank Hamilton and trained by William J. Martin gave Stone his second success of the afternoon with a one length victory in the maiden race. Stone has now ridden 35 career winners.

Jack Hendrick also rode a double to bring his career total to 80. He was aboard newcomer Classical Creek for Cormac Doyle, Ballindaggin, in division one of the maiden race for four-year-old geldings. 10 lengths the verdict. And in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings Hendrick completed the double in partnership with Denis Murphy when Shattered Soldier opened a 20 lengths gap at the finish.

Paul Martin Pierce, Blackhall Stud, Killurin, made the trip to Droamhane, Co. Cork, today, and emerged with a six and a half lengths success with Mobile Mamma in the mares five-year-old plus maiden race. This was the 30th career winner for Duncormick rider Sean Staples.

Kilrush are All-Ireland drama champions

By Dan Walsh

Kilrush Drama Group have won the Premier Award and is taking the Claregalway Perpetual Trophy back to Co. Wexford following outright success in the BOSTIK All-Ireland Confined Drama Finals which concluded a short time ago in Mountmellick.

And there’s more success! The Best Director (The Broderick Perpetual Cup) has been awarded to Niall McGrath, Kilrush Drama Group, and Best Management Award (The Carrickmore Perpetual Trophy) has also been secured by Kilrush Drama Group.

Ecstatic winning Director of Kilrush Drama Group’s play Hooked NIALL McGRATH celebrating with the All-Ireland title and trophies won tonight in Mountmellick. (Pic; Eamon Doran)

It has been a whirlwind year of success for Kilrush Drama Group’s production Hooked by Gillian Grattan, directed by Niall McGrath and featuring Kay Cahill, Erin Hogan and John Redmond have won seven out of eight Festivals on the Drama Circuit

Kilrush Drama Group topped the leader board of the Confined Drama All Ireland League Tables, with Niall McGrath in his first time directing, winning seven Best Director Awards to date. Their hugely popular production of Hooked has wowed both adjudicators and audiences alike. The Group also won a host of Awards to date, including Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, Best Technical, Best Lighting, Best sound and Best Set.

And Saturday, April 27th 2024 will now go down in history when Kilrush Drama Group proudly wears the title of All-Ireland champions which was last conferred in 2015 under the stewardship of the legendry Mick Byrne, and believe it or not, Kilrush Drama Group is celebrating 60 years of existence this year. What a way to celebrate!

Denis Murphy saddles three winners

By Dan Walsh

Two fixtures today (Saturday) across the country and veteran handler Denis Murphy, Ballyboy Stables, The Ballagh, ended a memorable day’s point-to-pointing with three winners to his credit. There were doubles for handler Donnchadh Doyle and rider Jack Hendrick, who rode a bumper winner for Paul Nolan at Wexford races on Thursday.

Denis Murphy and Jack Hendrick were the winning partnership in the maiden race for four-year-old mares at Loughanmore, Co. Antrim today with Swing Davis coming home in front by three and a half lengths. Later the combination struck successfully again with Relieved of Duties who came home six lengths clear of the field in division two of the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Nice double for Hendrick, but Murphy went on to make it three for the afternoon when Fralimonti Bilbery (Sean Cotter up) scored a 10 lengths victory in the six-year-old plus novice riders race at Ballysteen.

DENIS MURPHY saddled three winners today at two point-to-point fixtures.

The maiden race for four-year-old geldings was divided and both divisions were captured by the Monbeg Syndicate, Donnchadh Doyle and Rob James combination starting with newcomer Talk To The Man who had three and a half lengths to spare. Half an hour later following the running of division two the Ballindaggin stables were celebrating a double with Theflyingking coming home two lengths to the good.

Bennys Jenny was a winner for Paul Martin Pierce, Blackhall, Killurin, and rider Eoin Staples in the maiden race for mares’ five-year-old plus.

And a victory in the final race at Loughanmore went to newcomer Backonthegoagain ridden by Sophie Carter for Colin Bowe stables. Winnign margain was two and a half lengths.

The first race at Ballysteen, Co. Limerick, was the maiden race for four-year-olds, it divided due to a large entry, and division one was won by newcomer Sign Again, owned and handled by Robert Tector, Coolbawn, Rathnure. Joey Dunne was the successful rider and the verdict was four and a half lengths.

Clondaw, Ferns, father and son, handler and rider respectively, Michael and Harry Goff were successful with Caitriona Goff’s Way Down South in the maiden race for five-year-old geldings. Half a length in at the end! Denis Murphy took the final race as recorded above, so it was a thoroughly good day for Wexford stables with a combined total of nine winners. Not bad for a Saturday’s work.

Rosslare-Cherbourg sailing starts Monday

BRITTANY FERRIES (File Pic)

By Dan Walsh

Brittany Ferries will add a third weekly return-sailing, connecting Rosslare with Cherbourg, starting on Monday. The company says the move will boost connectivity ahead of the arrival of its rail-ferry service in 2025. Ferroutage will link Bayonne with Cherbourg by rail, carrying trailers for onward transport by ferry.

Glenn Carr, Director Commercial Business Units Iarnród Éireann/ Irish Rail & Port Authority Rosslare Europort told WexfordLocal.com; “We are delighted to see our shipping partner Brittany Ferries further increase services at Rosslare Europort. As we continue to significantly invest in facilities and infrastructure at the port it is great to see additional new services being introduced that further strengthens our links and connectivity between Ireland and France. 

“The addition of a third weekly rotation from Cherbourg is great news for hauliers and logistics companies,” said Christophe Mathieu CEO Brittany Ferries. “It means even more opportunity for freight operators to by-pass the UK entirely, cutting down on bureaucracy and delays that can occur the UK border.”

Rosslare Europort is Irelands number one port for direct freight and passenger services to the EU. Along with 58 weekly UK services, the port now also operates over 34 services to and from Rosslare to Bilboa, Cherbourg, Dunkirk and Zeebrugge and is the only port in Europe to have the three largest RoRo brands operating services collectively from the one location.

Brittany Ferries has massively grown the direct Ireland-France market since 2021 and has reaffirmed its freight and passenger traffic commitment.

The service will leave Cherbourg at 6.20pm local time on Monday, arriving at Rosslare at 2pm on Tuesday. It will then depart Rosslare at 6pm destined for arrival in Cherbourg on Wednesday at 5pm. Brittany Ferries has chartered Condor’s ferry the Commodore Clipper for the service.

In addition to three weekly rotations linking Rosslare with Cherbourg, Brittany Ferries operates two weekly Cork-Roscoff round trips and a bi-weekly service from Rosslare to Bilbao.

Lots of Gorey May Bush Féile events

By Dan Walsh

The annual decoration of the Gorey May Bush takes place in Gorey Civic Square, beside the Circe Pavilion next Sunday at 6pm and it promises to be an extra special community evening of traditional music, song, poetry, stories and dance while sharing and exchanging traditions around welcoming in Summer.  

THE GOREY MAY BUSH FÉILE 2024 (Photo Credit; John Ó Faoláin)

The message is bring along a chair, your instrument, a song, story or poem and your dancing shoes and be part of this wonderful community celebration. Fáilte roimh chách. “Let’s Decorate the May Bush, tá Bealtaine anseo”. If you would like to perform on the night please get in touch by emailing: thegoreymaybush@gmail.com

Special guests on the night include Gorey Pipe Band, Uilleann Piper Mark Redmond, Ceoltóir Óg 2024: Cliodhna Ní Chuilinn, Rinceoir Óg 2024: Shifra Dunbar agus Amhránaí Óg 2024: Chulainn Ó Faoláin. There will be songs of the Wexford Coast Community Choir and the annual crowning ceremony for the May Queen and King. 

The Gorey May Bush Féileis an annual intergenerational community led festival in Co. Wexford with an exciting programme of FREE events the festival promotes, documents and shares the May Bush tradition and the wider customs, traditions and cultural connections of welcoming in Bealtaine in Co. Wexford beyond.  

There are events to suit all ages. Schools, nursing homes, community groups/organisations, businesses, music/singing/dancing/writing groups and community artists across Co. Wexford are the faces and voices behind this festival and everyone is invited to be part of it! You can keep up with us all and see the FREE Féile events through: https://www.facebook.com/thegoreymaybush

As has been done in previous years the community are invited to put up their own May Bush and get involved with the programme of FREE events centred around the communal Gorey May Bush at Gorey Civic Centre.

The May Bush Decorating & Traditional Song Workshop for Families with Rachel Uí Fhaoláin takes place in Gorey Library today (Saturday April 27th at 11am – 12.30pm.

“A Penny on the May Bush”: The Gorey May Bush, Gorey Civic Square, beside the Circe Pavilion on Tuesday, April 30th (May Eve) at 6pm. Also dress for ‘An Sceach Gheal’ and “shower pennies on the children” as was the tradition. 

Bread and Cheese: Hawthorn History, May Folklore and Song with Lorraine O’Dwyer and Rachel Uí Fhaoláin: Gorey Library on Tuesday at 7pm. Lorraine O’Dwyer and Rachel Uí Fhaoláin are joining forces for this special community in-conversation event in Gorey Library. Lorraine O’Dwyer, Foraging and Folklore Guide will be sharing tales from local traditions and superstitions on the Hawthorn Tree, what makes one a fairy tree and not the other, why it’s known as Bread and Cheese Tree and why so many of our Rag Trees are hawthorns? Lorraine will also be bringing along her own homemade Hawthorn chutney to taste! 

Traditional Singer and Folklore Collector Rachel Uí Fhaoláin will be exploring May Folklore and Song from Wexford and beyond. As part of the conversations, Rachel will be sharing her work on The Nursing Home Project, residents recalling their own beliefs and practices, along with some local voices and accounts from her wider research and collecting work. 

Both Lorraine and Rachel look forward to developing important community conversations around welcoming in Summer, on May Eve in Gorey Library. Booking required through Gorey Library: https://wexfordcoco.libcal.com/event/4203929

The Gorey May Bush Féile 2024 is supported by County Wexford Arts Department as part of the Small Arts Festival Scheme in partnership with Arts Council Ireland.

Pencil bollards brings safety to St Aidan’s

MINISTER JACK CHAMBERS and FRANK MURPHY, School Principal, join with students in ‘thumbs up’ celebration of the new safety measures at St Aidan’s Primary School, Enniscorthy. (Pic; Wexford County Council).

By Dan Walsh

Minister of State Jack Chambers visited St. Aidan’s Primary School Enniscorthy recently to meet with students and parents and to mark completion of upgrade works outside the school under the ‘Safe Routes to School’ Scheme.

Minister Chambers outlined that the ‘Safe Routes to School’ Scheme is for the safety of children and parents. He described Wexford County Council as one of the top performers nationally in implementing the scheme.

The project had an initial allocation of €80,000 in 2023. This was increased upon application by Wexford County Council to increase the project scope to €310,000.

Cllr John Fleming, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council hosted the event attended by Minister of State, James Browne TD, Paul Kehoe TD and Cllrs John O’Rourke, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Jackser Owens, Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cathal Byrne and Aidan Browne alongside representatives from the NTA (National Transport Authority), An Taisce and Green Schools.

Cllr. Fleming thanked the elected members and school principal, Frank Murphy for their support of the scheme which “has seen installation of footpaths and pedestrian crossings surrounding the school to allow students, parents and those pushing buggies walk and wheel to school.”

“Traffic speed outside the school has been reduced and the new pencil bollards have stopped cars parking on footpaths,” said Cllr Fleming, who added; “Works have also included upgrades to existing junctions at Bohreen Hill and Moran Park to serve peoples travelling from The Moyne and Bellefield where many students of St. Aidan’s live.”

School Principal, Frank Murphy stressed that the project has child safety as the primary focus will always be the priority of St. Aidan’s and he thanked the agencies and design teams involved.

The Active Travel Team in Wexford County Council designed and supervised the project with works completed by appointed contractor H&H Group Ltd.