BLACKROCK BULLETIN

News from around Blackrock and Haggardstown

The local scout troop headed off on Wednesday on their annual camp to Stradbally estate in Laois where they will take part in the international Jambori.

Some 5,000 scouts from all over Ireland and Europe gathered there for nine days of scouting activity from July 25 to August 2.

The local group like for the last number of years travelled along with their counterparts from Tallanstown to the event. The troops have come together to jointly engage in activities, and meet alternative weeks at their respective headquarters.

The troops are a mixed group, whose members range in age between 11 and 16. They prepared for the jamboree, with a number of outdoor expeditions over the last while.

They included an outing to Gyles Quay to engage in sailing, pier jumping and swimming, and had a light weight overnight camp on Annaverna mountain when they got close to nature. They slept in hammocks slung between the trees, and cooked on a specially designed outdoor stove.

This is the fifth successive year that the troops have gone off together on annual camp. Firstly they went to Crawfordsburn, County Down, and the following years to Lough Key in Roscommon, Lough Dan in Wicklow and last year to Fota Island in Cork.

Among the activities planned for the whole body of scouts at the jambor include mountain bike riding, rock climbing, kayaking.

Jackpot

The jackpot is creeping up to just under €6, 000 in the Geraldines lottery. It was not won again this week, and the match three prize of E200 was not collected. So €400 has been added to the jackpot for next week to leave it at €5,800.

The numbers drawn this week were: 2, 6, 23, and 32.

Buses to Mass with Pope

Seats are filling up fast on the coaches that are to run to the to the Phoenix Park for the Mass celebrated by Pope Francis at the close of the World Meeting of Families on August 26 next.

The parish is providing two free two coaches, with those travelling guaranteed a ticket for the Mass with the parish procuring tickets for all who reserve a seat on the coaches.

Booking is on a ‘first-come-first served basis. Contact either Father Padraig or Father Keenan to reserve a seat.