Termonfeckin

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ANY news or interesting items welcome in this column, births, birthdays, engagements, weddings, sports/social/special events etc. Contact 087-2486472 or nicholasaduff@eircom.net New deadline-Please have all information to me by 10pm on Thursday evenings.

TIDY TOWNS

Well done to all involved in preparing Baltray for the 2017 Tidy Towns competition. It is great to see that the points are gradually increasing with Baltray scoring 241 points this year.

The competition is marked on 8 categories and again the adjudicators comments can be considered as being constructive. 1: Community Involvement and Planning- a lovely drive to Baltray with the adjudicator exploring the Boyne Estuary, wondering how tall ships and boats have the ability to navigate it. It is great to have support from the local Golf Club and employment scheme. While Baltray is small, the adjudicator struggled to find some areas where work was done (Queensboro).

She suggested the development of a simple long term plan to help direct actions which may attract others to help on certain aspects of the programme of works and that the community may want to consider developing a landscape plan using coastal plants in green areas.

Holding a community event to solicit ideas for a long term plan and getting involved with the Louth Co. Council network of Tidy Towns Groups for support was also suggested.

2: Built Environment and Streetscape- the closed Broken Arrow Pub was nicely painted and period and detached properties were all well tended. The lovely thatched cottage in the middle of the Main Street stood out. At the Queensboro parking area, the post box from the reign of King Edward VII (1910), rusty and neglected was noted and although still in use could do with a “sympathetic restoration” and appropriate treatment could be recommended by the Louth Co. Council Heritage Officer.

3: Landscaping and Open Spaces- the adjudicator loved the Bird Egg sculptures and ID plates which is a great embracement of local wildlife. The hanging baskets at the 19th Pub look well and the Grotto area had nicely tended beds with lovely smelling roses and an elderflower in bloom but plastic planters should be removed as they detract from the lovely stonework.

She suggested that the community try to repair the hand of St. Bernadette or remove the inappropriate plastic replacement. She praised the wildflower planting in the village but noted plastic planters in green areas saying it would be better to have small flower beds with shrubs and perennials. Possibly more native plants could be planted at the waste water treatment area, willow could work well.

4: Wildlife Habitats and Natural Amenities- Baltray residents are exceptionately fortunate to live in a lovely area rich in wildlife and the adjudicator loved reading about the Little Tern colony and information on the spread of the Little Egret. She questioned if there were Coastal Wildlife Walks, has Birdwatch Ireland a Little Tern warden who could give talks? With the area designated a “Special Area of Conservation”, activities raising awareness of what is on the doorstep should be built upon. She recommended letting ivy grow in certain areas to provide pollen late in the season which is good for wildlife and advised that the National Pollination Plan should be checked out with the possible growing of Lavendar and having tiered mowing regimes in grassed areas. It was frustrating that she could not find Banktown.

5: Sustainable Waste and Resource Management- this is not about recycling but the wise use of resources. Is there a bus service that could be promoted? does the Golf Club use low energy light bulbs or solar panels? Does the 19th use push button water taps?

6: Tidiness and Litter Controlwell done on all litter picks, especially along the river edge. TUS workers certainly worked hard.

Cable ties were noted on poles, wires and post boxes, though bins in use were clean. The adjudicator was sad to read about occasional dumping at The Haven but complimented the committee for monitoring it and having close links with the Litter Warden.

7: Residential Streets and Housing Areas- the muted coastal colours of homes looked well and the Period Houses at Queensboro with their large windows and mature copper beech and other trees in front gardens. Maybe other home owners might be encouraged to plant trees for future generations to enjoy.

8: Approach Roads, Streets and Lanes- no name signs meant the adjudicator did not realise she arrived in Baltray. The committee could possibily work with the local engineer to rectify this. TUS workers were again praised for their work on the walls. The major negative is the approach road to The Haven which was described as “simply dire” and she suggest the erection of notices advising motorists not to proceed. In conclusion the adjudicator said she enjoyed exploring Baltray and wished the committee good look with future entries in the competition, departing with the words “What a lovely community you live within”.

NURTURE REMEMBRANCE WALK.

A very spiritual walk for Parents, Families and Friends acknowledging the loss of a baby or loved one will take place on Sunday October 22nd at 12 noon, starting at An-Grianan.

The walk is organised by Nurture- an Irish registered nationwide charity which offers timely, affordable professional counseling and supports surrounding pregnancy and childbirth maternal mental health illnesses to women, partners and their families. Nurture-established in 2011 is now based at The College, An-Grianan having moved there earlier this year and is totally dependent on fund raising or donations. Participants in the walk are being asked to “Buy a heart, write their loved one’s name on it and place it on the Nurture Worry/Wish Tree. Tickets for the walk are priced at €13 single, Families €20 or €8 where Nurture will place a heart on the tree and take a picture.

These can be purchased in the office at 041-9822022 or via the website nurturecharity.org Refreshments will be served and there will be a gorgeous raffle. Parking is available at the Tennis Court. Please support this Nurture Remembrance Walk (I Love You) if you can.

MACRA NA FEIRME

Termonfeckin Macra members are busily preparing for the County round of the Public Speaking competition which will be held later this month. They will also attend the National Conference (Rally) which is being hosted by Meath Macra in City North Hotel over the October bank holiday weekend. If you are interested in joining Termonfeckin Macra, like our Facebook page Macra Tearmann Feichin, come along to our next meeting or contact Nigel on 087-718 9965.

NANCE MC DONNELL RIP.

We offer our deepest sympathy to the family, relations and friends of Nance Mc Donnell (nee Mc Evoy), Cannontown who died recently. Requiem Mass was offered in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Termonfeckin and the Funeral in the Old Cemetery.

ST. FECHINS

Congratulations to the St Fechin’s Football team on winning the U16 Football Championship. They defeated Ardee St. Mary’s by 1-13 to 0-14. Congratulations also to Ryan Walsh who was awarded “Man of the Match.

ST. FECHINS LOTTO

The numbers drawn were 4, 6, 8 and 16. There was no jackpot winner. The €100 winners were Helena and Michael Kirwan. Winners of €20 were Cailainn Carney c/o Post Office, Orla and Muiread c/o Post Office, Peter and Julie Hughes, Michael Mc Evoy and M Byrne c/o M Mc Cormack. The jackpot this week is worth €1,300 and is sponsored by Madden’s Centra, Termonfeckin.

ST. FECHIN’S EVENTS

A Karaoke Night will take place in The 19th Pub, Baltray, on Friday October 27th in aid of the new Parish Centre to be built on the grounds of St Feichin’s GAA pitches in Beaulieu. There will also be a raffle on the night. A Coffee Morning is planned for Sandpit Hall in October and a Parish Auction will take place in early December in aid of the Lip Synch Battle.

A 5-aside Soccer Tournament will take place on the all-weather pitches at St Feichin’s GAA club, Beaulieu on the weekend of November 18th and 19th in aid of Termonfeckin’s new Parish Centre. The entry fee is €100 and the top prize for the winning team is €1,000. The Runner-Up team receives €50. The tournament is limited to 40 teams and already there is strong interest in signing up. Teams should comprise of 5 players and 2 subs.

TABLE QUIZ

Termonfeckin Tennis Club will hold a Table Quiz on Thursday October 19th at 8pm in Seapoint Golf club . Table of 4 €40. All are welcome.

SET DANCING.

Set Dancing takes place in Sandpit Hall on Thursday nights at 8.30pm. Plenty of enjoyment guaranteed and as well as learning the steps, it helps with keeping fit.

ROSARY

The Rosary is being prayed at the various Grottos in the Parish this month. On Thursday October 19th, the Rosary will be prayed at the Grotto in the grounds of Scoil Mhuire gan Smal at 7.30pm.

SEAPOINT PITCH & PUTT

Week 2 of the Turkey Competition held over the previous weekend was an 18 Gross. The results are as follows. Senior-1st: Jim Judge 43, 2nd: Darren Fagan 44 (ob3 7). Inter-1st: Michael Vaughan 46, 2nd: Paul Cooney 47. Junior, 1st: Eddie Smith 49, 2nd: Jim Penders 50. Ladies-1st: Patty Brennan 53 (ob9 26), 2nd: Marlo Everitt 53. Week 3 of the Turkey competition took place over the weekend and was an 18 Nett.

ADORATION

Eucharistic Adoration takes place on Monday evenings from 7-8pm in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Why not come and spend some quiet time in the presence of the Lord.

WHIST

Whist is held on Sunday nights at 8.30pm in Sandpit Hall. If you are a regular player or would like to learn how to play Whist, why not come along? All are welcome.

BALSANTER

Don’t forget the text alert number and please text anything suspicious to 086-2747474. If you would like to join up to BALSANTER, application forms are

BELLEWSTOWN P & P

Turkey competitions start this Sunday 22nd October with tee off from 10a.m. until 10.30. Competitions on Saturday at 2p.m. Well done to Richard Brennan on winning the Junior Scratch Cup at RGSC last week.

60TH BIRTHDAY

Very best wishes to Martin Flood who celebrates his 60th birthday this week. Martin is a very popular man in this area and much loved by all his family. Congrats Martin from all your family and friends and all in Bellewstown P & P club; enjoy!

WHIST DRIVES

The results for Monday 9th October are as follows: Top Score Dick Walsh; top lady Patricia Collins; top gent was a tie between Anthony Nulty and Marian Leonard. The first half winner was Ita Cunningham and the second half winner was Bridgie Murphy. A vote of sympathy was passed to the Ryan family on the death of Charlie Ryan; Charlie loved playing in the whist drives in Ardcath and will be sadly missed. Whist drives continue each Monday night in Bennetts.

ARDCATH/CLONALVY PARISH WEEKDAY MASS TIMES

As and from the 5th of September the Tuesday weekday Mass will be in St John the Baptist Church Clonalvy and Wednesday and Friday in St Mary’s Church Ardcath. All at 9.30am. Thank you to everyone on your input to this decision.