BRIDGE NEWS
The Ballyduff/ Portlaw Bridge Club played their most recent game on Monday February 26th in Ballyduff Community Centre and the results were as follows 1st: Patsy Roche and Kathleen Collins, Joint 2nd: Mary O Brien and John Fitzpatrick and Sean Hennessy and Nano Fitzgerald and 4th Mary Prendergast and Kate Hayes. Congratulations to all the winners.
CHURCH NEWS
If you would like to book a weekend anniversary mass for your loved one, please contact Linda Spillane on 087 9838392 with your preferred date. Saturday evening masses take place at 7.30pm and Sunday morning masses are at 10am.
There are still some boxes of weekend collection envelopes available in the church, so please pick up a box whenever you are passing.
Choir practice takes place on Monday nights at 8pm in the church and new members are always welcome. The choir enhance our masses beautifully with their gorgeous selection of hymns and it is lovely to look around and see so many people singing along with them.
If you have forgotten to pick up your Trocaire box there are still some available on the steps of the altar.
SCRAP COLLECTION
Ballyduff AFC are hosting a scrap collection at their grounds in Ballyduff Lower. Items can be dropped to the grounds any day between 10am and 8pm. Please do not bring any dishwashers or items with glass. This is a fundraiser for the club who have great plans for further development of the club and its grounds. Please support by having a tidy up of that yard or shed you have been promising to do and drop your items off at Ballyduff AFC. You’ll earn great brownie points for tidying up and supporting your local club.
GAME OF CARDS?
Do you fancy a game of cards in a nice relaxing environment? A weekly card game began on Thursday February 1 st at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre and I hear that a great crowd have dropped along to enjoy a friendly game and share a bit of a chat and a laugh together. New players are welcome to drop along and enjoy a game of Progressive 30’s. The cost is €15 for a team of 3 and this is a fantastic way to meet up with others and enjoy a game and a chat. If you would like any further information, please call Tricia on 0872979332.
EASTER CAMP
Ballyduff AFC will host their annual Easter Camp from March 25th to March 29th from 10am to 1.30pm daily. The camp is for boys and girls aged 5 years to 12 years. The price for the first child is €60, €45 for the second and your third child goes free. Check out the Ballyduff AFC Facebook Page for details.
DAFFODIL DAY
Friday March 22nd will be National Daffodil Day in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. Each year in Kilmeaden, a group of volunteers set up at Centra to raise funds and this year it is hoped to set up also at Gala. If you feel you may have an hour or two to spare and would like to help out please contact Elizabeth Mooney on 087 2067920. Elizabeth and her group of volunteers are very grateful to the management of Centra and Gala for offering the use of their premises.
MATILDA THE BOOKWORM
Huge congratulations to all the young people in Ballyduff Youth Drama Group who recently staged their fantastic show Matilda the Bookworm. The show ran for three nights in Ballyduff Community Centre and there was a full house each night. Full of drama, colour, song and music, the audience were treated to a wonderful night of entertainment each night. A big well done to all the cast and crew, on stage and behind the scenes. A special thank you to three wonderful ladies Helen Millea, Eleanor Foley and Joan Cheasty who volunteer their time each year to running this drama club and staging the yearly show. What a wonderful way to bring young people together doing what they love, and it is a fantastic way to build their confidence and self-esteem.
CAMOGIE NEWS.
We are all thrilled to welcome the brighter mornings and longer evenings and we look forward to activities resuming and getting out in the fresh air. The gates of Tom Cheasty Park are open and ready for the camogie season. Following a great season last year the club are looking forward to welcoming returning players and are also ready to welcome new members to the club.
Training will resume on Monday March 11th from 6.15pm to 7.15pm and every Monday following that. The U13’s and U14’s will be held every Friday from 6.15pm to 7.30pm. Get those hurleys and helmets out and head to Tom Cheasty Park and we look forward some great games during the season.
Ballyduff Lower Camogie Club have been chosen as a recipient of the Tesco Blue Token Community Fund in the Tesco Ballybeg store. It was launched on Monday February 26th and will run for the next 12 weeks. Even though it is titled Ballyduff Lower Camogie Club, the money will benefit the entire club. Please spread the word to all your friends doing their shopping and lets’ get those blue tokens in the Ballyduff Lower Camogie Club box.
COMMUNITY CENTRE NEWS
Let’s Cook Easter Camp for boys and girls aged 6 to 13 years will take place in Ballyduff Community Centre from March 25th to March 28th from 10am to March 28th from 10am to 1pm daily. For a cost of €90, all ingredients, equipment and recipes are included.
These classes are hand on, and the kids will do all their own cooking and will bring their creations home to the family. To book a spot please contact 087 9027425.
COMMUNITY ALERT.
The next community alert meeting will take place on Wednesday March 6th in Ballyduff Community Centre at 8pm. Guest speakers on the night are Liam Daly and Inspector Dennis Murphy will also attend. This is a perfect opportunity to ask questions to the inspector and local gardai about recent break-ins in the area and any other queries you may have. The text alert fee of €10 has now been taken up so if you have forgotten you can bring it along to the meeting. New members are always welcome to join the text alert scheme which has proven invaluable in many incidents. The only things are required are your name, number and there is an annual fee of €10.
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK.
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass.
It is about learning to dance in the rain.