The mystery of the Bride Rovers String Beans!
Cork hurlers won the All-Ireland senior championship in 1952, ‘53’ and ‘54, as well as the National Hurling League in 1953.
In 1954, the team went on a historic trip to America. The team was invited to play in the Polo Grounds in New York in the autumn of 1954 where they beat a New York selection.
On Sunday, November 7th 1954 the County Corkmen’s Association organised a gala banquet for the team in the Commodore Hotel, Manhattan. It was a glitzy, glamorous occasion and an occasion of great enjoyment and merriment. On the Cork panel was Owenie McAuliffe from Glanworth who had played with Cork in the National League. A lovely souvenir menu card was printed and here’s where the mystery starts!
The first item on the selection was ‘Grapefruit Marachino’. After that then, each subsequent course or item had a name of a Cork GAA division or club. The fare provided to the Cork players was as follows:
- Avondhu Potage Mongole; Imokilly Iced Hearts of Celery - Colossal Queen Olives; Duhallow Roast Stuffed Turkey; Muskerry Giblet Gravy; Inniscarra Cranberry Jelly; Shandon Sweet Potato Glace; Blarney Castle Ice Cream; Crisp Hearth Roles - Demi Tasse Coffee and, oh yes, one other item was included - Bride Rovers String Beans!
We have absolutely no idea where that name came from, as there was no one from Bride Rovers on the Cork panel. Perhaps someone from the parish of Bartlemy, Rathcormac and Kildinan was employed in the Commodore Hotel at the time? No staff records for the hotel can be found. Even sixty-seven years later, maybe someone, somewhere could solve the ‘String Beans’ mystery?
Waterford, as the winner of the 2019 Foodie Destinations in Ireland which is home to a number of vibrant markets, including that of Lismore Farmers’ Market, could soon see
Tallow join the list.
Recent adjustments to the Casual Trading Bye-Laws by Waterford City and County Council has seen the West Waterford town allocated a total of 12 trading places, right in the heart of the town at the main street car park.
According to local councillor, John Pratt, this consists of the retention of two existing spaces and an allocation of ten new spaces.
While the total of ten new slots located in the car park has been confirmed, details of the stalls and producers who will be operating from this site, are yet to be decided.
“We’re trying to get in local produce stalls that won’t impact negatively on existing businesses. It isn’t about taking business from the town, it’s about bringing people into the town. It’s very important to us that what we do, we do in connection with businesses,” Cllr Pratt said.
It is understood that it may take a couple of months before the new market gets under way, however, Cllr Pratt is hopeful that there will be ‘great interest’ in the additional casual trading places in Tallow.
“It’s to benefit the town and the surrounding area. We’re going to try and have a good range of product in the stalls that people would be interested in,” Cllr Pratt added, as one of the key aims of the initiative is to have the market compliment the town.
Hopes are also high of including Tallow as a destination spot for the West Waterford Festival of Food and the food trail, with the introduction of a farmers’ market to the town.
The West Waterford Festival of Food has been running in Dungarvan and West Waterford annually since 2008 and has become synonymous with great food, family events and community.
Food the Waterford Way is the county’s food brand, giving the public an opportunity to experience authentic Waterford cuisine right in the environment and communities from which the ingredients of meals were sourced.
From the outset, the food trail was open to all food producers, food retail, hospitality and farmers’ markets in County Waterford, with Tallow now aiming to become a key destination on the trail.
Having a common phone charger for all devices could help save consumers money and reduce electronic waste. This is according to Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune who was speaking as the idea of approving legislation which would provide for a common phone charger for all devices was pushed back on the agenda at the European Parliament.
MEPs have adopted the initiative report on the new Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP). The plan outlines ways in which Europe can move towards a more circular economy. The idea for a common phone charger was included in the plan.
According to the New Circular Economy Action Plan, the Parliament is reiterating its call on the European Commission to introduce as a matter of urgency a common charger for smartphones and all small and medium-sized electronic devices to best ensure standardisation and compatibility of charging capabilities. This is part of a global strategy to reduce electronic waste.
Figures show that mobile phone chargers are responsible for around 11,000 - 13,000 tonnes of e-waste per year.
According to the New Circular Economy Action Plan, the Parliament has asked the Commission to prepare, in a timely manner, a decoupling strategy that ensures consumers are not obliged to buy new chargers with new devices to allow for greater environmental benefits, cost savings and convenience for consumers.
There is no legislation currently to encourage manufacturers to provide a common charger for all devices sold. However, in 2009 at the request of the Commission, major producers signed a voluntary memorandum of understanding which was aimed at guaranteeing commonality between chargers and mobile phones on the EU market. This did result in some unity on the matter, however this memorandum of understanding expired in 2014 and a new one has not been signed since.
CONVENIENCE
Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune said: “Mobile phone chargers vary according to the manufacturer and model and there are so many different types of charges on the market. This is not just inconvenient for consumers, but it is also harmful for the environment. A common phone charger would help consumers save money while also having a positive impact on the environment.
“I am glad to see this issue highlighted once again. It is important that we consider such proposals when it comes to waste and also convenience for consumers. This matter has been on the radar at the European Parliament for some time now and they have strongly supported the harmonisation of mobile phone and device chargers. I believe it is certainly an area where improvements can be made which would make life easier for consumers, but also help the environment.”
On 30th January 2020, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the Commission to adopt a standard for a common charger ‘as a matter of urgency in order to avoid further internal market fragmentation’. It called for either a delegated act or a legislative measure to be adopted at the latest by July 2020.
However, due to the Covid-19 crisis, the common chargers proposal would be postponed until the first quarter of 2021.