Buttevant

RETIREMENT

The current principal of Scoil Mhuire Na Trocaire Buttevant Ena O’Regan will retire from her position in the near future. Ena has been a diligent conscencious and a monumental principal during her tenure in Buttevant. To mark the occasion a special Mass will be celebrated in Saint Marys’ Church Buttevant on Tuesday February 19th.

The Mass will commence at 12 noon and it is hoped that there will be a big attendance to show their appreciation for Enas’ contribution to the educational advancement of numerous pupils who attended the local national primary school. Every good wish is extended to Ena on her retirement and trusting that she will have a long happy relaxing and restful retirement. Buichas Mor Duit As Sult Do Obair Sa Scoil Mhuire na Trocaire.

DANCING WITH THE STARS

Perhaps by now most local residents are aware that there is a Buttevant connection with the the current “Dancing with the Stars” competition on the weekly Sunday show on R.T.E. television. Dancing participant Demi Isaac Oviawe has family connections with local Buttevant families. To her credit Demi is accounting for herself magnificently and can be proud of her performances so far. Demi is also a regular performer in the hit comedy series “The Young Offenders“which is filmed in and around Cork City. Best of luck to Demi in her future endeavours.

TIDINESS

Buttevant underwent some major road and footpath development some time past which made a great difference to the appearance and general outlook of the town. Sadly the condition of some areas of the main street have deteriorated since that development. The footpaths have become green with algae and grass is coming through the crevices of the pavements. Perhaps a good power-wash and a treatment of chloras would improve the conditionof the pavements and restore them to their former state of cleanliness. Also it is sad to see that there is an abundance of dog-pooh all over the footpaths as it appears that some animal owners are not cleaning up when their pets have done their business.

Also there is an amount of litter strewn all over the footpaths and street particularly at the weekends. The majority of this litter is as a result of people dropping their remanants of their fast-food purchases. Sadly Buttevant has no on-street litter bins which would aleviate the problem somewhat. The bins were removed originally because people were depositing household rubbish in the bins.

The new flower and seating areas are currently serving the town well as litter deposit areas. The entrances to the town from all directions are also very unsightly and an amount of household litter is causing the outlying areas to appear untidy unkept and dis-pleasingand unbecoming to the eye. People should be more litter conscious and take their littter home with them. Perhaps the introduction of more secure litters bins comparable to those in other towns would help the local litter problem. Maybe the introduction of a weekly or forthrightly “large super skip collection” might eleviate the ever consuming litter dumping problem.

BE VIGILANT

Following another spate of break-Ins and robberies locally we would all do well to be on high-alert and vigilant regarding our properties and neighbourhood. We should also be attentive to our elderly residents and living alone sick and infirm neighbours. Population in Buttevant has increased over the years and we no longer have any knowledge of or are aware of who or where these new residents come from. Buttevant has become home to various shady characters and we no longer can trust those whom we do not know.

There is a CCTV system within the town but it does not cover all visible residential areas and is only accessible to some appointed persons. The majority of people also find that CCTV is an invasion of a persons private and personal persona. People are always crying-out for better crime protection but when it is provided there are always some do-gooders raising their protestations to protest at what is often a most desirable and worthwhile crime protection facility. Crime is no longer committed during the hours of darkness and the majority of incidents happen during daylight hours.

We should be alert to and conscious of suspicious persons acting suspiciously and also be aware of unusual activities and suspicious vehicles operating in all areas. Always report whatever persons or unusual happenings you may perceive to the relevant authorities.

LOTTERY

Buttevant Soccer Club promotes a weekly local lottery draw to help finance the clubs’ expenses and activities. The winning or sharing of the substantial monetary jackpot rests on the choice of four lucky numbers to match the four lucky numbers drawn on draw night. The lottery jackpot now stands at €20000 and will continue to rise until won by some lucky entrant. The draw takes place weekly on Thursday night at an appointed local public venue.. Your support is greatly appreciated.

DORADA DANCE SCHOOL

Dorada school of dance continues to be a major player in the entertainment scene of Buttevant with their weekly classes continuing to nurture dance drama and entertainment in general in all the pupils attending. The weekly classes are held in the Muintir na Tire Hall Buttevant on Saturdays and have resumed at the usual appointed times for the relevant dance grades. All information can be had by contacting Theresa Hynes on 087 72324143.

Christopher and Anne Maria Bourke, Kanturk, pictured at the Duhallow Hunt Ball in Springfort Hall Hotel. BINGO

The weekly bingo session continues in Buttevant on Monday night in the local G.A.A. Hall with numerous monetary prizes to be won. There is a substantial bingo jackpot to be won as well as an in-house lottery and an extra sheet game. There is also a 50/50 draw for attendees. The jackpot now stands at around the €5000 and will continue to rise weekly until won by some lucky attendee. The games get under at 8.30p.m. and as the jackpot rises so will the number of players attending.

BALLET

Further to

all the other

activities available in the parish Buttevant has also a regular ballet class which is held weekly in the Muintir na Tire Hall. Membership is available to anyone who wishes to have their children learn the ballet form and the tutor of the art can be contacted at the Muintir na Tire Hall during the weekly classes on the appointed evening.

G.A.A. DRAW

The local G.A.A. club is at present promoting a €15000-Car Prize Draw in conjunction with the Cork County G.A.A. Board. This draw will be held in April and will no doubt attact a full compliment of members. Tickets sold by the local G.A.A. club will will be entered into a separate Confined Draw for the local club members. Five people will then be drawn out to partake in a final prize draw.

Prizes for the draw will include prizes of €250 to €1500 inclusive on the appointed draw night. Draw entry tickets at -€20- can be purchased from local club members and local players. The funds raised will be used to upgrade he playing pitch and purchased the necessary items associated with the pitch and playing facilities.

SVP HELPLINE

Buttevant Saint Vincent de Paul association has a dedicated helpline for those in the community who may need assistance to provide for themselves or their families. Please contact -0860209477 in strictest confidence.

BE ALERT

With the arrival of the extreme weather and almost arctic climatic conditions which will deteriorate as the winter season progresses be alert to the needs conditions and general care of your elderly living alone or infirm neighbour and keep a watchful eye-out for their well-being. It is imperative to be ever vigilant particularly as society as we now know it continues to change dayby-day and is ever challenging with the value on life people and propertymany personal possessions being de-valued by some sectors of society.

SYMPATHY

Sympathy is extended to those who have suffered a bereavement or personal loss recently.

WELL WISHES

Well wishes go to those who are ill at home or in hospital at this time.