Five Loaves throws open its doors
WICKLOW Homeless Five Loaves in Bray and a Simon Community Shelter just off the main street in Bray, provided warmth and food around the clock during Storm Emma and Beast from the East.
Tom Gordon, centre manager at Five loaves, said that they extended their hours to the maximum that insurance would allow.
The day-centre remained open in the evening until it was time for the shelter to open. The shelter, which is part of the government’s national cold weather initiative, customarily opens at 10 p.m. but changed this to 8 p.m. for the emergency situation.
The initiative is available on that site until the end of March.
‘The lads got into a bit of a routine,’ said Tom. He said that the atmosphere was great despite the harsh conditions and that the bond between staff, volunteers and service users has been strengthened.
Tom said that the centre received numerous calls offering help and supplies.
‘The compassion and generosity of the people of Bray and Wicklow is just incredible,’ he said. ‘From the youngest in schools to the elderly coming in with a parcel.’
He said that Eugene Finnegan had arranged a bus service on one of the bad evenings to bring staff and volunteers home.
The service users stayed in the centre for most of the day, where it was warm and there was plenty to eat.
‘They seemed to really appreciate having food all day, some- where to stay that was warm, and a comfortable bed at night,’ said Tom.
He said that the overnight facilities were very comfortable. Tom said that while the overnight shelter was virtually at capacity for the duration, thankfully nobody was turned away. Five Loaves were one of the agencies able to refer clients to that facility.
They received calls about the possibility that someone may have been sleeping rough on Bray Head, which they were unable to confirm, but believe a tent may have been left there.
Another person elsewhere in the northern part of the county did not wish to avail of accommodation.
The centre opened until Saturday afternoon, while it is usually a Monday to Friday service.
Tom paid tribute to the staff and volunteers who had given up their time and walked in from outlying parts of Bray to help people in genuine hardship.
‘I am immensely proud of the people here, they were fantastic,’ said Tom. He said that everyone was relieved that there were no injuries as a result of the snow and ice.
In general, Tom said, the numbers using the day service appear to be rising year on year.
‘It is a concern,’ said Tom, ‘as is the idea that there may be people out there who have accommodation but are too proud to ask for help.’
He said, however, that it is very satisfactory to see so much good will. ‘We couldn’t have asked for more.’ SCHOOLS across the county were still adjusting to life after Storm Emma with many only reopening on Tuesday because of the major disruption caused by heavy snowfall.
Rosaleen O’Neill, Principal of Avondale Community College, said a ‘great deal of effort’ went into preparing the Rathdrum school to ensure it could reopen on Tuesday.
‘We were determined to get into work today,’ said Rosaleen.
‘We had a lot of snow around here and there is still only a single lane of traffic up to the school. You can still see a fair amount of now winding up by the windows. One bus couldn’t make it out because certain parts of the country are still very bad but we were only down around 100 out of 580 or so pupils. We had to clear up the staff car park because there is quite a drive down to it. Staff, parents and students all made a great effort.’
It took a community-led effort to prepare St Joseph’s National School in Glenealy for reopening on Tuesday.
‘A few parents and some staff cleared the car park and our caretaker cleared the yard. We got hit quite bad out here. I know some of the staff and parents living in Wicklow town thought Glenealy looked like a different world compared to what they had experienced where they live,’ said school secretary Anne Hogan.
Carnew experienced high levels of snowfall meaning Coláiste Bhríde wasn’t able to open again until Tuesday as well.
Principal Linda Dunne said: ‘We had an awful lot of snow so we had to get some machines and shovels out on Monday to clear the place up. We still have some bad areas within the school grounds which we have cordoned off. The students are being very mature about everything. They haven’t been throwing snowballs or anything and at this stage I think they are getting bit fed up with the snow as well.’
Kieran Burke, Principal of Blessington Community College, was relieved normality was finally beginning to return to the school.
‘A mixture of teachers and our caretaker cleared the footpaths and around the school yard on Sunday. However, there was still a lot of snow on the footpaths outside the school so we decided to remain closed on Monday but we were still back out clearing things by hand, especially along the front of the school. All our staff were able to make it in for Tuesday and most of our students, though some living in Valleymount, Lacken and Kilbride had difficulties.’
Saint Fergal’s National School in Bray was able to open on Monday.
Principal Tom Sargent said: ‘The snow wasn’t too bad but the biggest problem we actually had was people not being able to get in and out of their estates. The approach roads to the school were fine though and we virtually had our full complement of pupils in attendance.’