Cooley Christmas Charity Market
Plans are well underway for the next Cooley Charity Christmas Market which will take place in Cooley Parochial Hall Sunday December 2.
Mountains of flour will be sieved, oceans of mixed fruits will be measured, as the ladies of Cooley and it’s surrounding areas busy themselves in the baking of dozens of Christmas cakes and puddings for the market. Over the coming weeks, the bakes will mature in the finest of Cooley whiskey as they wait to go on sale at the market. The baking is a labour of love for the ladies concerned. As the yellow pages of the old worn stork margarine booklet are turned, the memories which unfold are filled with pride for a past generations of ladies whose legacy to the next generation was an open heart and willing helping hands.
The Cooley Charity Christmas Market ignites the best in a community. Like a beacon of light, kindred spirits come together to support neighbours and friends whose lives have been touched by Dementia. The beautiful cakes and puddings offered for sale at the market will taste all the sweeter knowing that every single ingredient was donated by kind donors. The baking was made possible thanks to Cooley Kickhams GFC who gave their state of the art kitchen for the baking.
Support for the great work of the Birches travels many channels. A warm welcome awaits the many visitors who are expected to sail across Carlingford Lough. Thanks to The Carlingford Ferry, a special discount price of €15 return is available for all customers travelling on their ferry to the market. The organisers of the market were thrilled when top Country & Western singer Mike Denver came on board to donate the first prize for this year’s draw. Mike has donated two tickets for his Concert in Armagh City Hotel in March 2019. The Armagh City Hotel gave their wholehearted support by donating accommodation for the lucky winner in their luxury hotel. The guests will get to enjoy beautiful breakfast in the hotel the morning after the show and avail of all of the top class facilities their hotel has to offer. Tickets are priced at €2 for this prize and many other valuable vouchers, hampers, etc They will be on sale in all local shops/business’s soon.
As always, the market stalls will be filled to the brim with goods which have been donated free of charge. Each cent spent at this unique community market goes directly to help fund the services of The Birches. It is a market unlike any other. Since it’s conception many years ago, it is very much focused on raising awareness of dementia. The prices charged at the market reflect the concept of the market, never solely on making money, rather it’s a community standing shoulder to shoulder with their own, reaching out and supporting those whose lives are touched by the challenging and often lonesome disease which is Dementia. No reasonable offer is ever refused for any item on the stalls.
This is very much a community market. An open invitation is extended to anybody wishing to share their skills for the benefit of others. Help in any form is encouraged and most appreciated. Donations of hand knitting, baking, floral arrangements, paintings, etc are always most welcome. Good quality second hand bed linens, curtains, cushions, delph, etc are always in much demand.
For further information on the market, or to donate an item, please contact Anne at 086 3938289.