14-06-2003

Caring and coping skills for the family carer

If you are caring for someone, maybe a disabled child or a sick relative come along to the MDA on Thursday, June 12 at 7.30 pm to hear about a carer training programme. This programme will be run by the Midland Health Board and the Irish Red Cross and will take place free of charge over the next couple of months. Further details from Joy Delahunt or Linda Veighey at Mountmellick Health Centre.

Computer training for 1st to 6th class pupils

MDA are running computer training classes for pupils from 1st to 6th class during July and August. Places will be limited so early booking is advisable.

They will learn desktop publishing and will create brochures, cards, banners, newsletters and certificates. During the course each child will receive internet and email training under strict supervision. The children will be able to use interactive picture dictionaries, encyclopadeias and use English, Maths, Irish, Creative Writing, literacy, numeracy and typing games.

The course fee is €70 for the first child and €60 for the second. Application forms which are available from MDA and from the schools must be returned with a €20 deposit before Friday, June 20 to ensure a place. Notification of exact dates and times will be issued to parents when courses are finalised.

Sale

Mountmellick Methodist Church will hold a mini sale in aid of Church funds on Friday, June 13 from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm. This will be in the hall at the back of the Church. There will be good-as-new clothes, bric-a-brac, toys, curtains, and bed linen. Your support would be appreciated.

Special Olympics Art Exhibitions

Local primary school children and adults have submitted artwork for the Special Olympics “Paint the Feeling” art exhibition. The artwork is being displayed throughout Mountmellick in June in various shop windows, Bank of Ireland, the MDA, doctors waiting rooms, the primary schools and the library. Many thanks to all who have submitted work making the people of Mountmellick aware of the visit over the next week of 41 visitors from Peru.
Mountmellick & District Game Preservation Association and Gun Club
The above will hold a meeting for new members in the Owenass Hall on Friday, June 13 at 8 pm.

Lough Derg

A three day pilgrimage to Lough Derg will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 4, 5 and 6. For further details please contact Maura. A deposit is required.

Tennis Club

Mini tennis and Club ACE’s match play continues on Wednesday, with coaching on Saturday. Tiny Tots Tennis for 4/5 year olds takes place on Wednesday from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Adults tennis takes place every Monday and Wednesday from 7.30 pm. For more details on joining the club or the activities in our Junior Tennis Academy contact Bryan.

Cub Scouts

Eight senior clubs took part in a camping weekend-May 16-18 at Woodstock near Inistiogue, Co. Kilkenny, where cubs and scouts from various troops in the south east region camped together.

Laurence Kenny, Adam Mannix, Eoghan Keogh, Adam Murphy, Paul Strong, Darren Brennan, Stephen O’Meara and Ben McRedmond, along with leaders Maura Kenny and Mary Lalor-Fitzpatrick enjoyed their weekend despite heavy rain which fell almost continuously. It seemed to stay dry only while food was being served; it actually poured into a pot a stew for Saturday evening’s dinner every time the lid was removed to check the cooking.

There were 10 cubs on site with leaders and approx. 80 scouts (14 troops of 6 scouts), plus leaders and organisers. The scouts were taking part in the Sherwood Cup, a competition which is held each year testing their skills in pioneering (with timber poles), ie building camp entrances, wash-up area, table and seating, altar fire on which a three course meal had to be cooked, which proved very difficult to get fires started. Nevertheless they put on a great show and it was a great opportunity for the clubs to see the scouts in action. Graiguenamanagh were the winners with Bennet’s Bridge runners-up and they now go on to take part in the Smythe Cup to be held in Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow, on August 15.

After breakfast on Saturday morning cubs were taken on a two and a half hour hike during which they were tested in basic skills in first aid where they had to advise how they would treat a second degree burn to the lower arm (injury faked with artistic makeup), bruising to head, person with hypothermia, placing an injured person in the recovery position, what to do in case of an emergency on a hike, how to carry and use a saw and axe safely, types of knots, the use of a trangea cooker, map and compass followed by games.

The afternoon was spent with games of soccer, touch rugby, rounders and a sisal game which were disrupted every 10 minutes by pouring rain when they had to run for shelter but it did not stop the cubs from continuing from where they had left off when the rain stopped.

During this time some leaders were completing their level four training which qualifies a leader to take responsibility for the planning and administration of a camp or a pack holiday weekend (indoor camp). Congratulations to Maura Kenny on receiving her certificate which was presented to the leaders before striking camp on Sunday. A large camp fire organised by the scouts with various groups entertaining with songs and stunts was held on Saturday night. All cubs received a badge for taking part in the weekend. On the way home they stopped off at Supermac’s in Kilkenny for a well deserved lunch.
The group would like to thank Angela Drennan and Durrow scout troop for lending their tents and cooker for the camp and to Greg McRedmond for taking down the trailer with tents, equipment, and rucksacks on Friday evening and to Joe Kenny for collecting same on Sunday.

Despite the weather the boys and leaders enjoyed Woodstock. The full group of 18 cubs with leaders are now looking forward to an activity weekend on June 13 to 15 at Lilliput Adventure Centre where they hope to take part in kayaking, gorge walking, raft building, rock climbing, abseiling, assault course and much more. At present the boys are completing their athletic badge and which covers high jump, long jump and the 50 metre sprint.

ICA

Four ladies attended the AGM of the Federation in Mountrath on Wednesday, May 21. Congratulations to MB Culleton on winning first prize for her Irish poem and also to Avril Westman who came third in the children’s Readybrek competition.
The Federation contributed 1,700 to the patient’s fund at St. Vincent’s Hospital, that was the charity drawn for 2003. The cheque was presented to Nurse Lynch and Jim Le Blanc of the patients fund.

Four ladies from the Guild attended Laois Week at An Grianan from May 26 to May 30. They were Annie Kelly, MB Culliton, Elsie McDonald and Rena McEvoy. All in the Guild are delighted to hear Marie Quinn is well again.

At the Federation meeting there were two vacancies to be filled for the next three years. The vice president is Mai Bowe of Durrow Guild and the treasurer is Sheila Kearney of Mountmellick Guild. The autumn meeting will be held in Portarlington, the date has yet to be fixed.

Votes of sympathy were passed with Carmel Dunphy on her sister’s death, to Carmel Fitzpatrick on the death of her father-in-law and to the Fitzgibbon family on Margaret’s death. Margaret had been a member of ICA.

Community Care Whist

May 21-top score Vera Hutchinson; ladies 1 Rita Fitzpatrick; 2 Violet Bryan; gents 1 Denny Kelly; 2 Mick Kelly; halves ladies 1 Babs Hipwell; 2 Nellie Thompson, Breda Cooley and Tom Gowing; gents 1 Paddy Dolan; 2 Veronica Kearns and John Bracken. May 28-top score Paddy Dolan; ladies 1 Anne Mahon; 2 B. O’Brien; gents 1 Donal Conroy; 2 Jim Delaney; halves ladies 1 Nora Conroy; 2 Nellie Thompson; gents 1 Denny Kelly; 2 Alice McRedmond; and Veronica Kearns.

Town Decoration for Special Olympics

Our guests from Peru will be arriving on June 14. The town will be specially decorated for the occasion. We would hope to see a special effort from the business community and also from the town residents toward decorating their own premises and estates. The Peruvian colours are red and white and flags will be on sale. For further information please contact Maura Reddin.