Brushes at the ready as credit union launches art competition
SLIGO Credit Union is delighted to announce that entries are now open for the 2022 Credit Union Art Competition.
The theme for this year’s Credit Union Art Competition is ‘It’s A Wonderful World.’
This year’s theme gives participants the opportunity to present their own interpretation of the magic in the world and what must be done to keep it this way.
The competition invites participants to create artworks that depict the theme and explore through their own unique lens the beauty and wonder of the world.
The Credit Union Art Competition, now in its 39th year, is dedicated to supporting and developing the arts in Irish society. The credit union has always had a keen commitment in promoting and encouraging involvement in the arts across communities and this is an important message we want to spread. The competition is free to enter.
There are no age limits, and it is open to aged seven years and under right through to 18 years and over. There is also an additional needs category. Winners at local level will go on to a regional level, and regional winners will progress to the national awards ceremony in February 2023.
Shona Heffernan, chairperson of Sligo Credit Union said “The credit union art competition holds a special place in our community, and we want to encourage anyone with an interest in art to get involved. We look forward to seeing how entrants will interpret the theme.
“Year after year we are blown away by the amazing entries that come into us, and it is really wonderful to see the creative talent within the community. We can’t wait to see all the amazing entries and of course, there are some fantastic prizes up for grabs.” Entry forms are available from Sligo Credit Union building on Wine Street.
The closing date to submit finished entries to Sligo Credit Union is October 20.
Kilglass calls for speed limit reduction
Concerns over the speed at which vehicles are moving through Kilglass has prompted the local community council to ask for a reduction of the speed limit from 80km to 50km per hour if possible.
Through local councillors Michael Clarke and Joe Queenan, the community council have made an official request for the speed limit to be reduced.
“We would like to officially request that the speed limit be reduced through the village from before the national school until after the church, a distance of 500-600 metres,” Cllr Clarke stated.
Cllr Queenan pointed out that there are 120 children currently attending the school with high volumes of traffic in the morning and afternoon.
“The school is located very close to the road and the 80km speed limit is a daily hazard to both children, parents, and road users.
“We are about to start development on a new digital hub and community centre beside the church which again will increase traffic levels,” both councillors stated as they moved their motion.
Ideally, they said they would prefer a 50km speed limit as is the case in other villages. However, as Kilglass is not zoned as a village they understood this may not be possible, prompting them to seek a 60km speed limit.
Sligo County Council said a reduced speed limit for the relevant section of road will be considered in the next review of speed limits for the county.
The added that Sligo County Council has already carried out substantial traffic calming works in this area in the last three years which has helped to reduce speed in the area.
Dangerous drop needs safety barrier
Following on from a road traffic incident which occurred earlier this year near Ballymote, a local councillor wants a safety barrier placed on the section of road to ensure vehicles should they go off the road don’t end up in a potentially deep water drain below the road.
Asking for a safety barrier to be erected at the junction of the R293 and a local road, the L56031, which is about two miles on the Sligo side of Ballymote, Cllr Dara Mulvey raised his concerns at Monday’s meeting. In dry weather, during the summer, the drain doesn’t pose a huge threat as it carries little water, but in winter it’s a very different story and should a vehicle come off the road at that junction there’s potential for a very serious incident, he said.
While his motion was agreed, Sligo County Council indicated there was no funding at present to do work at the location but added that the points raised would be forwarded to the council’s road design section for consideration when submitting proposals to the Department of Transport for Safety Improvement Schemes for 2023.
More work agreed for Sooey to Geevagh verges
Sligo County Council having already carried out verge strengthening on a road from Geevagh to Sooey say they will seek further funding to do more of the same.
Cllr Gerard Mullaney was given the good news when he called on the council to seek funding for verge strength work on the R284 from Geevagh to Sooey.
Cllr Mullaney was told: “The Department of Transport (DOT) has aided verge strengthening works on a section of the R284 during the last three years under a Specific Improvement Grant.
“An application to DOT for further funding in 2023 will be made to enable additional verge strengthening to be carried out.”
Crossing not merited in Ballinfad
Sligo County Council say a pedestrian crossing in Ballinafad village which was sought by a local councillor is not justified based on usage and vehicular traffic numbers there. Cllr Gerard Mullaney had asked the council to provide a raised pedestrian crossing with flashing lights in Ballinafad village at the playground on road number L5805, in the interest of public safety.
However, he was told that because there is a very low number of pedestrians crossing at this location and vehicular traffic is also relatively low that “a pedestrian crossing as requested is not considered to be justifiable at this time”.
However, an undertaking that the Ballymote area engineer will consider erecting suitable signage in the area, was given at the meeting.
Arrow request for Doonmegan is speared
A request to fit a road number or directional arrow on a local road near Ballymote is not within the remit of Sligo County Council, a local councillor was told at this week’s meeting.
Cllr Dara Mulvey asked the council to fit a road number or directional arrow at Doonmegan Ballymote, which is known locally as The Bog Road.
However, his request was rejected via a council reply which stated: “Sligo County Council erect road number signs on local roads at junctions with national and regional roads only.”
One out of two ain’t bad for Ballymote
There was mixed news for requests to have two roads near Ballymote resurfaced at Monday’s municipal meeting.
Cllr Dara Mulvey asked the council to include a road by Emlagh, Ballymote, and a second road leading to Carrigans Upper Ballymote to be resurfaced.
He got bad and good news from the council.
He was told the road by Emlagh is not listed for surfacing in 2023 under the multi-annual restoration improvement programme, with the council suggesting a community involvement scheme grant would be appropriate for this road.
He got better news in relation to the second road he listed which leads up to Carrigans Upper, the council indicating that a section of this road will be surfaced in 2023.
EASE YOURSELF IN
Here are some things to keep in mind during your first year of college. Ease yourself in
As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and some colleges return to in-person learning, you may be experiencing mixed feelings. It is completely normal to feel anxious and overwhelmed at this time. In fact, it is quite likely that many of your peers feel the same about the gradual return to normality.
Big lecture halls aren’t so bad
It may seem intimidating if there are hundreds of people all packed into one lecture hall. However, you can use this opportunity to start talking to the people sitting next to you, and you will get used to the size of the room eventually.
YOU WILL SETTLE INTO YOUR WORKLOAD
The first few weeks can be overwhelming when you start your lectures and find out about the assignments, exams and readings you’ll have to do. It can take time to understand your subjects, but after a few lectures you will start to settle into the course. Most lecturers will ease you into assignments, as they know you’re adjusting to college life.
YOU’LL FIND YOUR WAY AROUND SOON ENOUGH
During your first week or two, college may seem like a strange and alien place. However, you will quickly get into a routine and soon find the place is very familiar. It is ok to ask people for directions to rooms, the library or cafeteria. Nobody will mind and people are used to the influx of new students every year.
JOIN SOME CLUBS OR SOCIETIES
Societies are great spots for new friends. This can range from clubs that focus on sport, such as karate, to groups that focus on knitting, reading, or drinking tea. There will be so many to choose from, you just need to find what’s right for you.
REMEMBER COLLEGE DOESN’T HAVE TO BE ABOUT DRINKING
Many people associate college students with alcohol and parties, but that’s not how every student likes to spend their time. You don’t have to drink if you don’t want to, it’s up to you to decide how you like to spend your time.
GET TO KNOW YOUR HOUSEMATES
If you’re living in a house or in student accommodation, get to know your housemates and the people who live near you. It will make communicating easier, but you could also end up making some really great friends.
TALK TO SOMEONE
If you are finding it hard to settle in, there are people that you can reach out to. Many third level institutions have mentoring programmes for first years. These programmes aim to help students get used to life at college. You can also go to the welfare officer in your students’ union to talk about how you’re settling in and look for advice on getting to know people. If you experience a mental health difficulty during college, know that you are not alone. Find out more about mental health supports for college students. Financial stress is something that many college students face. If you are feeling worried about money, know that there are financial supports available to college students in Ireland. Find out more about how to deal with financial stress in college.