Termonfeckin
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TIDY TOWNS- SANDPIT.
“We were very impressed with Sandpit in your first year of the competition”. This adjudicators comment is in no doubt a great boost to the Tidy Towns effort in Sandpit. Last year work in Sandpit was included in the Termonfeckin report but it was suggested that Sandpit should go it alone in the 2018 Supervalu Tidy Towns competition.
The competition is judged on 8 categories. 1:Community-Your Planning and Involvement; the level of participation was very high with a 5 member committee and 15-20 volunteers. The adjudicators noted the assistance from Louth County Council and encouraged the committee to approach Louth Leader and Tus for support. Assistance from local businesses, Mc Granes XL, George’s Butchers, Apec Metal Works, Flanagan Timber and Horticulturalist Anne Humpheries was noted, though surprise was expressed at no community or sports groups, social groups, residents associations seen to be helping out.
There is a very effective communication strategy which also involved Scoil Mhuire gan Smal and help from the local Scout Group was welcomed. 2: Streetscape and Public Places; Sandpit is a pleasant village, looking very well on a sunny July afternoon. Buildings are an interesting blend of traditional style and more modern structures-all with a high standard of presentation.
The Church of the Assumption is particularly eye catching, enhanced by its neat grassed area and mature attractive trees. The School also draws positive attention as does Mc Grane’s XL Shop and the white washing of a house to the north of the shop. The new green area and flowerbeds near the school are particularly impressive. A big well done on the provision of a defibrillator at the shop. 3: Green Spaces and Landscaping; very pleasant landscaping schemes in place and colourful seasonal planting on all approach roads, particularly the large planters and diversity of plant species on the green area standing out. Hanging baskers in the centre of Sandpit and at the shop are particularly eye catching and very appreciated. The School was commended for its wildflower planting and an idea to install a community flag pole on the green was described as very interesting. 4: Nature and Biodiversity in Your Locality; the Bug Hotel, bird boxes and feeders at the green are excellent and well done to the school children
There is more potential for the children to explore different species and further raise issues of environmental awareness. More nesting boxes, feeders, bat boxes and wildflowers are planned and there was praise for mulching the Community Garden and the use of a certified sprayer for weed control. 5: Sustainability-Doing More with Less; the adjudicators were impressed with the quality of projects in this category, ie the Bug Hotel- a collaborative effort between the committee and the school and made entirely out of recycled materials.
Harvesting of rainwater was strongly commended and more could be done here, could water butts be acquired and distributed to residents? 6: Tidiness and Litter Control; there is a very high standard of litter control. Scoil Mhuire gan Smal was highly commended for discouraging packaging in lunch boxes and the suggestion was made to maybe have a litter survey to establish the main sources of litter. Roadsigns were clean and visible and roadsides were generally free of weeds. 7: Residential Streets and Housing Areas; all residential dwellings and gardens looked incredibily well, particularly Milltown Lodge and The Meadows.
There were very attractive landscaping beds and very well maintained green areas. 8: Approach Roads, Streets and Lanes; key approach roads to Sandpit looked very well, enhanced by new signage, timber framed planters and neatly trimmed grass verges. Colourful hanging baskets create a positive impression for the visitor and a combination of natural roadside boundaries and carefully maintained walls and fences give the village a very neat and tidy appearance. Well done on the cleaning of bridges, as the exposed stone is an attractive feature. All in all very positive remarks. Sandpit in its first year scored 205 marks out of 450. While there were plenty of suggestions regarding areas where improvements could be made, no doubt these will be taken on board. Congratulations Sandpit on your efforts.
FOOTBALL
Congratulations to the St Fechin’s Ladies team on becoming Louth Intermediate Champions. They beat the St. Patrick’s Ladies with a score of 3-11 to 0.04. Meanwhile there is no rest for them as they will have begun their Leinster Club Campaign with a game against Kilcullen from Co. Kildare over the weekend. Also very well done to the U12 Girls who were victorious in the recent Paddy Thornton Memorial competition. They took home the Cup and medals for their efforts. Let us not forget the Intermediate Football team who are currently training and preparing for their big day against St. Mochtas in the Intermediate Final. The very best of luck to them.
HURLING.
The Senior Hurling Championship Final unfortunately did not go the way St Fechin’s would have hoped for. St. Fechins were hoping to regain the Senior Title for a third time however Knockbridge had other ideas and proved to be much the stronger team on the day winning on a scoreline of 4-12 to 1-10. It was a tough defeat for the lads but no doubt they will shake themselves up and will be back in contention for next year. Well done on getting to the final. Meanwhile congratulations to the St. Fechin’s U11 Hurlers on their recent big win in the Mc Creesh Shield Hurling Blitz. These young players won the Mc Creesh A Shield and worked very hard to retain their title from last year.
TERMONFECKIN SPUDS
Some farmers are great entrepreneurs when it comes to selling their produce. We are somewhat familiar with Egg Vending machines in places. Put your money in and take your tray. The name Termonfeckin is well known for several reasons and it is being used effectively for branding and promotions in the area. “Termonfeckin Potatoes” is a registered brand and has been for several years thanks to local farmer and grower Gerry Finnegan.
Gerry has taken it a step further and now has a Vending Machine established outside his farm on the Sheetland Road to allow passers by the chance to source their potatoes in this way. Yes, put your money in and and those “Termonfeckin Potatoes,-Quality Eating Potatoes To Go” are yours. Gerry’s latest venture is certainly making headlines, locally and nationally. Varieties are available in 5kg bags.
COFFEE MORNING
The recent Coffee Morning held at the house of Paud and Phil Leech was a great success. Thank you to all the helpers and supporters. A big thank you to all who donated prizes and baked for the event. A total of €2.046 was raised which goes towards Hospice Homecare
ST. FECHINS LOTTO
There was no winner of the Lotto. The numbers drawn were 3, 12, 16 and 23. The winner of €100 was Brian Crean. €20 winners were Catherine Duff, Carmel O’ Shea, Tara Grennan, Michael Clifford and John Leech. The jackpot is now worth €1,900 and is sponsored by Madden’s Centra, Termonfeckin.
MACRA NA FEIRME
Two teams from the Club competed in the National Final of the Club Question Time held in the Maldron Hotel, Dublin Airport on September 29th. A Club Outing was held on Saturday October 6th which included a meal in the Monasterboice Inn and a night out in Drogheda. The next monthly meeting is in Sandpit Hall on Wednesday October 10th at 9pm. New members most welcome as always. If you are interested in learning more about Termonfeckin Macra, simply like and contact the Macra Tearmann Feichin facebook page or contact Aoife on 087- 6262197.
CREDIT UNION
Take the stress out of sending your students back to college with Termonfeckin Credit Union. Special Student Loan Rates are available. Call in for a chat with our officers or click on www.termonfeckincu.ie
MASS ON THE WEB
Last week it was mentioned that Masses from the Church of the Immaculate Conception are going to be live streamed following the installation of a webcam in the Church looking from the Gallery towards the Altar. . When this happens, live streaming from the Church will be broadcast 24 hours a day. It is also hoped to have “set top boxes” available so that Parishioners will be able to watch Mass at home on their televisions. Some newer televisions can receive signals to allow viewing but for those that cannot, a device called a ROKU Stick is required and the Parish can source these at a cost of €80. If you wish to order a ROKU Stick, please contact the Parish Office with a deposit. Masses can be viewed on www.mcnmedia.tv once it is goes live. Family members abroad who cannot return home for occasions such as weddings or funerals can connect to the website to see them.
ROSARY.
The Rosary is being prayed at the various Grotto’s in the Parish during the month of October. Last week it was at the Grotto in the grounds of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. This Thursday October 11th, the Rosary will be prayed at the Grotto in the grounds of Scoil Mhuire gan Smal at 7.30pm. All are welcome.
PASTORAL COUNCIL
The next meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council is on Wednesday October 10th in the Parochial House at 7.30pm. All members are asked to attend.
SET DANCING
Set Dancing continues on Thursday nights in Sandpit Hall at 8.30pm. There are classes for all standards and beginners are very welcome.
SEAPOINT PITCH & PUTT
The Club congratulates one of its members Christine Carroll who has reached the Final of the Inter Leinster Matchplay. Congratulations also to Audrey Donnelly from the Mc Bride Club who won the Junior grade. Last Sunday October 7th, the Seapoint Captains for 2018, Joanne and Paul Cooney hosted their Captain’s Prize and on Saturday October 6th they hosted a Juvenile Captain’s Prize. The Turkey Season started last Friday October 5th with an 18 Nett competition.
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.
BALSANTER.
Contact 086- 2747474 to report any suspicious activity. If you would like to join up to BALSANTER, application forms are available in Maddens Centra, Mc Grane’s XL and both Parish Churches.