Appeal for both sides to discuss playgroup saga
AN Arklow Councillor has appealed to both sides involved in a dispute over the Avoca Playgroup, which until earlier this year ran at Avoca Community Centre, to come together and discuss the matter.
Cllr Mary McDonald told the Wicklow People that a demonstration in support of the playgroup which took place on Saturday is expected to become a weekly event until the matter is resolved.
‘The demonstration took place following a meeting on August 23 where 99 per cent of those in attendance expressed support for the playgroup committee. A small action committee has been formed to try and reach an agreement with the hall committee. If both sides could just sit around the table and sort the situation out then it would be better for everyone,’ she said. A dispute arose between both committees earlier this year when the hall committee claimed that it changed the explained her situation to the people. Norah felt she had no other choice but to accept the package from An Post.
‘I stressed to everyone about how it would cost me more to move premises,’ said Norah. ‘I don’t know if we can change An Post mind on this.’
Norah has already tried to push further for a review but believes she is at nothing. ‘I appreciate everyone else coming on board to help me,’ she added.
She said she would like to thank all councillors and to those for the support. ‘The older members of the community will miss it the most, hopefully this petition will work.’
The locals are being encouraged to write to An Post Appeals, GPO, Dublin to make the case for the retention of Coolgreany Post Office.
‘The crowd are determined to use An Post Appeals process to locks of the building when the playgroup committee refused to make the case strong,’ said Cllr Súilleabhain. ‘An Post say the population of 376 falls below the 500 threshold whereas the catchment area from Croghan to the sea takes in over 2,000.’
More information of a plan of action will be posted over the following few days.
Cllr Byrne pointed out in the meeting that just two of the 159 post offices scheduled for closure look likely to have that decisions reversed at present, one in Sligo and one in Mayo.
‘The meeting heard so many personal stories about how people would be impacted if this busy post office closed,’ said Cllr Byrne. ‘We can’t allow it to happen.’
Subsequent to the meeting, Cllr Byrne secured agreement in principle that the abandoned building on the Main Street in Coolgreany, acquired by the County Council, could be of- sign a new licence agreement.
The playgroup said that it had reservations about some of the clauses within the agreement and argued that not all other groups renting hall space had signed it.
The issue of rent was also raised, which had been dropped from €30 a day to €20 a day when attendance figures reduced.
When the numbers increased again, the hall committee sought the regular payment to be restored but the playgroup claimed that it still did not have enough children attending to be able to meet this cost.
As of last week, the playgroup committee has offered to pay €30 a day but the hall committee previously outlined that they have engaged a new operator and that there will be no rowing back on the matter. fered on a long lease to An Post.
Cllr Byrne said: ‘We need to counter any possible argument that An Post could have for denying services in the area. If it is about space, I’ve secured Council agreement that the empty building on the Main Street could be offered.
‘We will find solutions for every challenge.’
Another major point to come up in the meeting was the fact infrastructure in the village has not moved on with the rest of county Wexford. Cllr Byrne advised the community a local builder could look into developing additional housing in the village. Norah said this gave the people a feeling of hope for their village.
At the end of the meeting, the community thanked Norah and proprietor Jim Short for providing a fantastic service to the community over the years.