Boyne canal crew pick up a €1,000 surprise!
THE IWAI Boyne Navigation volunteers are well known for hard work and dedication. After all, they have successfully restored the Sea Lock at Oldbridge on the River Boyne near Drogheda and are actively pursuing the restoration and re-opening of further canal sections of the River Boyne Navigation between Drogheda and Navan.
IWAI Boyne Navigation also have a very well organised approach to seeking financial support and in the process of their restoration project they have attracted funding from many state and community funding agencies including Fáilte Ireland.
But sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw and a matter of simply being in the right place at the right time. This was certainly the case for IWAI Boyne Navigation Chairperson Myles Brady and Secretary Paul Walsh recently.
Myles picks up the story; ‘Paul and I were attending an event organised by Meath County Council Public Participation Network (Meath PPN) concerning funding and fundraising among other topics. This event was also supported by The Wheel, the National representative body for the Community and Voluntary Sector. In the breaks between presentations Paul and I browsed the various exhibitor stands.
‘At the BHP Insurance stand Paul struck up a conversation with Martina Westphal, Director of Community and Social for BHP, who invited us to enter a draw for a €1000 Insurance voucher. Paul duly obliged and this decision proved very fruitful when Inland Waterways Association of Ireland was announced as the winner of the €1000 prize. It really was just the luck of the draw!’
IWAI Boyne Navigation is delighted with their prize which they will use to offset the costs of insuring their workboats, allowing restoration of the River Boyne Navigation to continue apace from the water.
CONTACT ME
Contact Sean on 087-6783729 or email swall32@gmail.com if you have an item for this column.
SLANE CREDIT UNION
Slane Credit Union is 50 this year and there are plans to commemorate and celebrate the anniversary throughout the year. The theme of the anniversary celebrations is Community and Contribution, not only for the Credit Union, but all the groups they have supported over the years.
Slane Credit Union wants to recognise the volunteers and the many community members who have contributed to important events. They want to do this with the community groups and ask them to join with the credit union in celebrating their events throughout the year.
One of the important events is an exhibition of photo’s of those who have made contributions to Slane over the last 50 years and they are seeking pictures or artefacts that they can borrow and exhibit at the Credit Union.
Slane Credit Union see’s 2018 as a year of fresh starts, new beginnings and growth and are looking forward to supporting the community’s future while commemorating the past.
MONSTER DRAW
The count down to the Slane Community Centre Monster Draw has begun with the draw taking place on Saturday, February 24th, in the Function Room of Lynch’s Bar at 8pm.
A 3D walk through video of the proposed new community centre can now be viewed online. Tickets are available from committee members, online, or from The Hub.
The draw has a prize fund of approx €70,000, including cars, holidays and cash prizes. The new centre will be built on a site adjacent to the local national school and planning permission has already been obtained from Meath County Council. The fundraising committee are hopeful of selling 2,000 tickets at €100 each. First prize is a Toyota Corolla or €20,000, second is a Toyota Yaris or €15,000 and third is a Toyota Aygo or €10,000. Other prizes include €5,000 in cash, €3,000 holiday voucher, Topaz fuel voucher for €2,500, trip for two to the Cheltenham Festival, 2,000 litres of home heating oil and four separate prizes of€1,000.
COMMUNITY GRANTS
Applications are invited from Community Groups, Tidy Towns/Village Committees, Residents Associations and other organisations, to assist with actions and projects being undertaken in their local area for the Meath County Council Community Grant Scheme 2018.
The range of grant categories available under the Community Grant Scheme 2018 are:
Residents Association, Tidy Towns, Equality, Social Inclusion & Active
Elderly, Recreation, Sport & Youth Activity, Festivals & Events,
Burial Ground
Further details and application forms can be obtained from The Community Department, Meath County Council, Buvinda House, Dublin Road, Navan, Co. Meath C15 Y291 or by email communitygrants@meathcoco.ie The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 5pm, Friday, March 2nd.
TRIP TO CALCUTTA
Slane Transition Year student Evan O’Sullivan is part of a group from St Patrick’s Classical School Navan, who will travel to Calcutta during the Easter holidays and will enrol as a volunteer with the Sisters of Charity.
The group will work in the homes and orphanages run by the order. Evan spoke at Masses in the parish recently and explained about the trip and the work that he will be undertaking. For those who would like to support Evan and the other students there is a link on the home page of the St Patrick’s CS website where people can contribute online.
COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT POSITION
A VACANCY exists on the Community Employment scheme for one of the key projects in the area, the restoration of the Slane section of the Boyne Navigation, including both the canal and towpath. This is a very interesting, attractive and important project. Participants also receive additional Department of Social Protection benefits - the additional amount depends on the person’s circumstances.
People are requested to consider applying and further details can be had from The Hub in the village, 042 9824000.
RATHKENNY AC
The club held its agm recently and the following were elected - Chairman Brendan White, vice chairman James Finnegan, secretary Trisha O’Reilly, treasurer Olivia Kealy, assistant treasurer Phil Finnegan, registrar Paul O’Neill, children’s officers Noreen Mimnagh Fleming and Fergus Crilly,
Co Board delegate James Finnegan, PRO Brendan White, head coaches David O’Halloran, Niamh McGuire. Committee Valerie Crilly, Noreen Browne, Christina McKenna, Susan Duffy, Niamh James, Gerard Hoey.
ROSARY
The Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet will be said every Thursday in the Youth Cafe (beside church) at 7pm. Everyone is welcome to come and pray for world peace.
MANAGERS WANTED
Slane Wanderers soccer club are looking for underage coaches and managers for the coming season. Further information from Michael on 0851527276.
LEDWIDGE COTTAGE
The Francis Ledwidge Museum has reopened for the new season and is open every day from 10am until 3.30pm.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Confirmation in Slane parish takes place on Thursday, April 26th at 3pm. First Holy Communion is on Saturday, May 19th at 11am. Blessing of the Graves is in Monknewtown, Dowth and Fennor on Sunday May 20th, and on the Hill of Slane and St Erc’s cemetery on Sunday May 27th.
SOSAD CYCLE
Now is the time to start training for the big 10th anniversary SOSAD Cycle hosted by Slane Spinners. It takes place on Sunday, May 13th, and this year the start of the cycle will be based at the Stackallen Pitch & Putt premises where there is ample facilities for parking cars etc.
YOGA CLASSES
Hatha Yoga Classes take place every Tuesday, from 9.45 - 11am, starting on February 20th for five weeks at the Ananda Centre. Cost is€50. Learn muscle stability, alignment and relaxation. This is a mixed ability class. Contact Brenda 085 1502378.
TUS VACANCY
A TUS vacancy exists with Broomfield and District Residents Association. The Work Programme involves Care-taking duties in and around Teach Raithneach, as well as the maintenance and upkeep of a number of amenities throughout the District. If you think you are eligible to participate in this Scheme, then please contact the Secretary on 086 3212986 for more information. Self referral forms are available. These allow you to self-refer to Meath Partnership, the body who have responsibility for implementing the TUS Scheme.