Completed Nutrition Education Programme

Participants who received certificates on the completion of a 'Cook It!' six week nutrition education programme run at Fethard Youth Centre. Back L to R: Angela Kelly, Ann O'Dea, Deirdre Reilly, Margaret O'Neill (Home School Coordinator Killenaule and Fethard), Siobhán Dunne, Sheila Butler. Front L to R: Eileen Bowden, Mary Prout, Hilda O'Neill (Health Promotion Unit HSE) and Mary Reilly. Missing from Photo were: Christine Corcoran, Maria Corcoran, Ann Luttrell, Mary Hurley, Sheila Blake and Sandra Meehan.

The recent 'Cook It!' programme run at Fethard Youth Centre was a six-week nutrition education programme based around the 'Food Pyramid' which aims to provide practical information on healthy eating and improve skills, by showing participants ways to provide healthy, nutritious, low cost meals and snacks for their families.

A total of fourteen participated in this course which ran over six-weeks during October and November in Fethard Youth Centre. Those taking part learned from each other and got the chance to experiment with dishes that are quick and easy to prepare using the healthy eating message to eat more fibre, eat less fat, sugar and salt.

It was co-ordinated by Ms Margaret O'Neill, Home-School-Community Liaison Co-ordinator, Scoil Ruáin, Killenaule, and Patrician /Presentation Secondary School, Fethard and was capably delivered by cookery tutor Ms Eileen Bowden. The Fethard Youth Centre provided a very suitable venue for the course and we wish to acknowledge the support provided by Edwina Newport and the staff there. It was jointly financed by Tipperary South VEC Community Education and the Home-School-Community Liaison schemes in both Scoil Ruáin, Killenaule and Patrician/Presentation Secondary School in Fethard and supported by the HSE South Tipperary Health Promotion Unit. All the participants benefitted greatly from the course and are looking forward to a follow-on course in the New Year. If anyone new would like to participate in this new course please contact Margaret on (087) 6536374 to reserve your place.

The programme is suitable for use with a wide range of groups in the community and in the past few years 'Cook It!' has been used widely with groups such as Parent Groups, Community Development Projects, Women Clubs and Youth Groups.

Fethard ICA
South Tipperary ICA Federation are holding their Christmas Party on Sunday, November 27, in Cahir House Hotel from 1.30pm to 5pm. Great food and good music will be the order of the day!

Our next guild meeting takes place on Thursday, December 1, in the ICA Hall at 1pm. We begin with Mass which will be offered for all past and present members. 'Go For Life' tutor Margaret O'Keeffe will attend the meeting and show us some keep-fit exercises. Catering on the day by the 'Green Group'.

Annual Christmas Bazaar
The Fethard & District Day Care Centre will hold their Annual Christmas Bazaar on Thursday next 20th November at the Tiny Community Centre from 11am. On sale will be cakes, crafts, Christmas Cards. We are also holding a Monster Raffle. Refreshments will be served.

The Fethard & District Day Care Centre will hold a Senior Day on Friday 25th November from 11am. The Chiropodist will be in attendance. All seniors welcome.

The Fethard & District Day Care Centre wish to thank Stephen, Tara and P4. of Ladbrokes for a wonderful fundraising night on Saturday 22nd October. Ladbrokes have once again chosen us as their charity for 2011. We are very grateful to them. We would also like to thank Roseanne and John Carroll of Lonergans Bar for hosting the fundraiser. A great night was had by all.

Killenaule/Moyglass Parish Journal Launch

Committee members preparing for the launch of Killenaule/Moyglass Parish Journal 2011, which will take place at Scoil Ruain Killenaule on Sunday 4th December at 3pm. This year’s Journal will be launched by Lilly Barrett. All are welcome to attend this function and refreshments will be served.

St. Vincent De Paul Society going since 1895
The annual collection for the society of St. Vincent De Paul will take place in Fethard and Killusty on the weekend of 3rd/4th December 2011. The recession has made life more difficult. The cost of food, clothing, education, transport, fuel etc. has risen in price. With less income, cut backs and higher taxes people are finding it difficult to pay bills and stay out of debt. Unemployment, less income and debt is also putting a strain on family relationships.

Our service is confidential and non-judgemental. When we visit it may be with financial help but it may also be with budgeting/household advice, information on entitlements or a listening ear for the lonely or depressed.

The society was first set up in Fethard on 6th October, 1895. Since then the donations of people have enabled the society to help the needy people of our area. We ask you to think of us again this Christmas and to contribute whatever you can. We thank you for your help and support in the past and hope you have a peaceful and happy Christmas.

Table Quiz for Irish Wheelchair Association
A table quiz in aid of the Irish Wheelchair Association will be held at Gaule's Bar in Burke Street on this Friday night, November 25, at 9pm. Table of four will cost €20. Please organize a team and come along to support this very good cause.

Students support Cystic Fibrosis

Pupils from Patrician Presentation Secondary School who organised fundraising events to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis. The group are photographed above with their teacher, Ms Majella Whelan, presenting a cheque for €516 to local Cystic Fibrosis representative Mandy Quigley.

Hunting News
From Ballinure on Monday, November 14, drawing the 'Scort', hounds hunted well around the covert with a few excursions out towards Kill Hills and returning to covert. Finding again in the Washbrook Glen near Thornton's hunting was something of the same. Moving on then to Lalor's. This famed covert from which some good hunts have been recorded over the years, back to the days of Darby Scully and beyond has now been somewhat of a huntsman's nightmare. Easy to get hounds into but not quite so easy to get hounds or Charlie James out of. Now a vast area of almost impenetrable cover following a good burst of hound music hounds divided. The main lot did hunt down to Silverfort House up to the forest of evergreens on top some hunting on to Kilbraghhenebry Graveyard near Dualla.

Poulmucka on Wednesday proved a nice circle and to ground from Minogue's. From the Decoy Bog, incidentally no longer a bog but lush green fields, a good run was had towards the Lavally Road and right handed to Cian Ryan's where he got to ground. Moving on to Donegal they found at the entrance to Casey's, ran left handed to above Donegal Covert and to ground. A fox at Breen's was quickly caught and the day finished with a short hand circuit at Claire Ryan's.

Full credit to the hardy field who turned out in the atrocious weather conditions in Drangan on Thursday. Weather or not hounds hunted very well on the day. Hounds can only hunt the fox for the distance he travels be it three fields or three miles. On Knockuragh they hunted over the hill to Pat Hackett's. Their fox was just ahead when viewed at Pat Hackett's when they suddenly lost him. Pat reckons he got to ground in a nearby lot of bales. From Whiteland's Cross they hunted across the Lismoynan Road and were running strong towards Magoury when he got to ground. Phelan's proved blank as did the Glen at Lismoynan and some thick hedgerows in Shanakyle. Home was blown early as conditions deteriorated as evening approached. Finding in Ballinard Wood from Cloneen on Saturday hounds gave an exhibition of wood hunting at its best.

"The forest music is to hear the hounds rend the thin air with a lusty cry. Awake the lust echoes and confound their perfect language in a mingled choir".

Well, the Tipperary bitch pack certainly rent the air with a great cry for forty-five minutes on Saturday on a fox that could just not be persuaded to leave, eventually putting him to ground. From Carroll's the direct opposite applied. Hounds were no sooner entered at the Farranshea end when they were away at the Friarsgrange end. Down to Ballinard Wood they swung left-handed just short of the woods. Literally flying here they crossed the Rathkenny Road near Harrington's down to McEniry's they ran up the valley past John O'Flynn's where turning again left they ran over the hill past Knockelly Castle to the big cover by Ginny Hutton's where home was blown at 4pm.

Christening

Photographed at the Christening of Sophia Catherine Ledger by Fr Martin Crean OSA in the Augustinian Abbey on November 12, are parents Deborah and Jonathan Ledger, and Godparents Ashling and Ian Kenrick.

With the White Heathers
Foxes in very short supply coupled with very poor scent was the order of the day from the Ballylusky White Heathers meet at Loughcopple. They did find in Morgan's and had a short run to the Blackthorn's where they lost him. Drawing a big area of Annesfort and its surrounds blank they did eventually find again in the railway line in Shanballyard.
They hunted from here to Monroe and back again towards Fortwilliam where scent just faded. Quinlan's Glen almost always a sure find was also blank as was the small covert near the house. The ivy on the old Church ruins in the graveyard did hold. Now almost 4.30 and getting quite dark scent had almost completely faded and little could be achieved. Credit to Donie and the whippers-in who walked non-stop from 11am. That is hunting.

They will be back inaction again on Sunday next, their sheer love of the sport keeping them going on good and not so good days. The Ballylusky White Heather Harriers will meet on Sunday next, November 27, at Ballylusky; December 4, Clonacody and there will be a Lawn Meet at Fethard Rectory on Sunday December 11. All meets 11am.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on November 16, were: 13, 15, 27 and 28. We had no Jackpot winner and no 'Match Three' winner so the following drawn tickets received €50 each: Esther Breen, Barrack Street, Fethard; Dick O'Brien, c/o Tom Purcell; and Rebecca Bradshaw, St Patrick's Place, Fethard.

The three following 'Lucky Dip' winners also won €50 each: Tracey and Kelley Coady, The Valley, Fethard; Thomas Ryan, c/o Nellie Ryan; and Lorena Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, Fethard.

Remember you can purchase your lotto ticket online at www.fethard.com. Buy seven weekly tickets and get one free! Check on the website for lots of special offers. Next week's Jackpot commences at €6,500 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €650. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

November Rosaries in our parish cemeteries
We encourage all the older and the younger people of the parish to come to our local cemeteries each Sunday throughout November and pray for our dear departed.

Rosary for the Holy Souls in Purgatory will take place on Sunday, November 27, at Killusty after Mass, Kiltinan 3pm, and Kilmaclugh 3.30pm.

Fethard Ballroom
Dancing next Sunday night at Fethard Ballroom is to the music of Tommy Carroll. The Ballroom will hold their AGM on next Monday, November 28, at 7pm in the Ballroom. All are welcome.

Students visit 'Our Lady of Fethard'

Pictured above are a group of pupils from Patrician Presentation Secondary School Fethard on a recent visit to The National Museum, Kildare St. Dublin. Students some weeks prior to the visit sent a letter to the assistant keeper Dr. Andy Halpin requesting to see the Madonna and Child. The pupils were shown the figure in a small room attached to the Gallery, by the Duty Officer Ms. Maeve Sikora (pictured above). The Figure is made of oak and shows a standing figure supporting the Child on the left arm. The wood is fragile, and quite dark. The right hand of the Child is raised in a traditional gesture of blessing. the thumb is broken off.

Fethard TY students, along with their teachers Ms Pat Looby and Ms Edel Vaughan, enjoyed a very special Art History Trip to Dublin on October 27 last. The visit included the Dublin Contemporary 2011 Exhibition which was a showcase for contemporary Irish and International Artists. They took part in a sculpture workshop and produced beautiful pieces of sculpture.





Later, they visited the National Museum where they viewed the medieval Fethard Statues. A group of TY pupils are currently working on a life-size paper maché version of one of these statues. Previous TY pupils had worked on the other two Fethard Statues. A highlight of this visit was a viewing of the Statuette of the Virgin and Child (probably Flemish early sixteenth century) from the Augustinian Abbey in Fethard. This statue is normally not on view in the Museum but the group were treated to a private viewing following communication between the Museum authorities and TY Student, John Paul Fitzgerald.

Apparently, this statuette was discovered by Fr. E. O'Leary OSA among other objects in the tunnel that leads from the Abbey to the town. He had a photograph taken in 1929 and consulted an eminent antiquary of the time, Henry M. O'Hanlon, Portarlington. The piece is of oak and measures 67 centimetres in height. It is carved in the round, and consists of a standing figure of the Blessed Virgin Mary supporting the Child on the left arm.


Students enjoying a picnic in the Iveagh Garens

Fethard Rugby Club
The Fethard U-7s travelled to Waterpark on Sunday morning for a great game of tip Rugby. The team acquitted themselves very well with Andrew Wall, Louis Ryan, Luke Dolan, Luke Fitzgerald, Mark Neville, Michael James Phelan and Luke Ryan working together with good passing in attack and great tagging in defence. Great improvement again form this team well done to you all.

The U-8s gave a great display of their skills with fine tackling and recycling. The team of Charlie Cummins Connor Neville, James McCormack, Michael Long, Ben Ruttle, David McCormack and Padraig O'Dwyer each scored multiple tries. This team again upped their game and their parents should be very proud.

The U-10s lining up for their first match, looked determined and so it proved; bursting out of the starting blocks they rolled over their opposition with strong drives and fast recycling. Waterpark recovered but Fethard had their tails up and were unstoppable.

Dungarvan did not field an U-10 team and so Waterpark stepped in again with a fresh team up against the Fethard veterans. Playing twelve-a-side on a sizable pitch gave both teams room to move the ball and show their pace. Waterpark had the better of the rucks and a lightening fast winger, but Fethard had a team that came into its own with wonderful support and close play. One stand-out moment was Eoin Walsh's try that passed through the hands of seven Fethard players on its way to the try-line. Time and again Fethard tackled, mauled, drove, passed and went home worthy winners. Twice.

If parents could forgive me for not picking out individual performances, today was all about the 'team' and the following boys and girls should all feel rightly proud of themselves: Mathew Burke, Darragh Fitzgerald, Eoife Fitzgerald, David Gunn, Ian Harrington, Jack Hassett, Courtney Jade, Angus Macdonald, Dara O'Connell, Richard Robinson, Andrew Slattery and Eoin Walsh.

Our Under 13s travelled to Waterford city on Sunday for a third encounter of the season, and started slow conceding an early try, but got one back from a great individual run from Liam Quigley, and converted by Joseph O'Connor. Poor rucking and some missed tackles allowed Waterford to get another try, putting us 7-12 down. Every scrum-half's nightmare followed with Waterford intercepting a pass from the back to go 17-7 up. Fethard rallied before the break and great hands from Jack Dolan and Dale Murphy put Liam Quigley in for his second try leaving it 17-12 at the break.

Our second half was much stronger and with the introduction of Ross and Jesse McCormack, we dominated possession and territory to score a third try. Jack Dolan with the touch down and Joseph again with the conversion to win the game 19-17. Good second half rucking and tackling from the forwards Frank Meagher, Ned Grogan, Andrew O'Connell, Richard Holohan, Jack Grace, Harry Butler and Jack Ward. Good attacking game from the backs James O'Connell, Jack Keeley, Jack Hayes and Mark Heffernan. Next Sunday we face Dungarvan for a second place playoff in league so big training session planned for Friday night.

Our Under 15s continued their superb form away in a one sided encounter against Waterford City on sunday morning. With a very large squad competition for places was fierce and that saw plenty of amazing individual efforts. This fast flowing game with the ball in hand was going out wide on most attacking occassions was hugely enjoyable to watch for supporters and parents.

Patrician Presentation Jottings

Pictured at the BASTI Award ceremony on October 12 in Waterford Institute of Technology are students from Patrician/Presentation Secondary School: Karen Hayes and Michelle Walsh with their teacher Mrs Anne O'Donnell.

WIT/BSTAI Awards
Tipperary's young students were honoured at a prestigious ceremony at WIT recently. Waterford Institute of Technology in association with the Business Studies Teachers' Association of Ireland hosted a special Awards night for secondary school students in the South East Region who received an A Grade in Junior Certificate Higher Level Business Studies this year.

Some 320 students from the region (Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow and South Kilkenny) attended the awards ceremony with their parents, Business Studies Teachers and Principals.

Ms Mary O'Sullivan of the Business Studies Teachers'Association presented students with a certificate of achievement and each Business Studies Teacher received a recognition plaque. Dr. Tom O'Toole, Head of the School of Business at WIT said that the ceremony was an opportunity for parents, teachers and Principals to celebrate the success of their students.

Presentation Day
Best wishes to all the Presentation Sisters on their Feast Day on November 21. The school's ethos is derived from the traditions and values of its founders, the Presentation Sisters and Patrician Brothers. We acknowledge and value our continuing contact with the Sisters and thank them for allowing us to use the Convent Chapel for ceremonies during the school year.

Parents' Association Table Quiz
Thank you to all who supported this quiz in any way on November 14 last. A special thanks to Mr Denis Burke who came out of retirement to be quizmaster for the night. The quiz results were as follows. Senior Category 1st Prize: Dick Prendergast, M.A. Fogarty and Margaret O'Neill. 2nd Prize: Mary Healy, Michael Healy, Pat O'Donnell and Charles McCarthy. Junior Category 1st Prize: Aoife Daly, Tony O'Reilly, Nathan Costin and Emma Keating. 2nd Prize: Niall Doocey, Adam Fitzgerald, Kieran Whyte and Eoin Hurley.

The following people won prizes in the raffle: Barry Walsh, Hannah Tobin, Desmond Martin, Tony O'Reilly, Alannah Coady, Orla Barrett, John Morrissey, Kenneth Browne, Marian Roche, Pat O'Donnell, Barry Connolly, Paddy Broderick, Luke Hackett, Mary and Tim Hurley and M.A. Fogarty.

The school appreciates the involvement of the Parents' Association in many school activities. Well done and thank you to the Parents' Association's Chairperson, Mrs Catherine O'Donnell and her committee for all the hard work involved in organising this annual quiz for school funds.

Open Night 2011
Our annual Open Night will be held on Monday, December 5, from 7pm to 8pm. All 5th and 6th Class pupils with their parents are invited to attend this event.

Traditional Storytelling
On Thursday, November 24, storyteller, Mr Neil de Burca, will entertain the school's current First Year Group and 6th Class pupils from Holy Trinity School. The event is organised by the school's SCP Co-ordinator, Ms Sinead Burke.

CAO Information Evening
A CAO information evening for 6th Year Parents was held in the school on Monday, November 21. The evening was hosted by Mr Justin McGree, Career Guidance Teacher. Pupils and their parents need to be fully informed on the implications of their CAO choices and the relevant application procedures.

Friends of New Tipperary Rangers
The friends of New Tipperary Rangers, Ballinure, are having a fundraiser in the Horse and Hound in Dualla on Friday, December 9, starting at 8 30pm. Musical entertainment and guests will perform and finger food refreshments will be served.

Tipp FM's Eamon O'Dwyer will record his 'Down Your Way' radio programme on the night. This is a chance for friends and neighbours in the vicinity of this side of the parish to meet and chat about old times and the 'Rangers'.

Tickets available from Michael Bulfin, Ned McCormack, Johnny Hanly (Ballinure, Michael Fanning (Lisronagh), John O'Dwyer (Burnchurch), Patrick Cleary (Silverfort), Roger Shanahan (Ballinure), Steven McCormack and Miceál McCormack (Fethard).

Fethard Macra News
This Saturday many members of South Tipp Macra head to the Munster vs Edinburgh match in Thomond Park, Limerick for what is now the annual South Tipp Macra pre-Christmas rugby trip. Ticket for match and hotel only €55 and is great value. Anyone interested should contact Mickey on 087 9019443.

Our public speaking team take to the stage in the national semi final in Kilmallock, county Limerick on Saturday, November 26. The team consists of Michael Moclair, Liam Cleary and Pat Murphy. We wish the lads all the best on the night.

Several members from Fethard took part in the recent welding skills competition held in Kildalton College a fortnight ago. Noel Clancy, Liam Cleary, Stephen Tierney, David Ryan, Pat Murphy and Mickey Moclair all had a go but the winner on the night was John Kirby representing Slievenamon Macra.

We have a senior debating team taking part in Rathkeevan on December 9. Anyone interested in supporting should go along on the night.

A charity table quiz and auction will take place in Barne Lodge, Rathkeevan, Clonmel on December 16, in aid of Oxfam. There is also a comedy night being run in Lar Corbett's bar, Thurles town centre on December 9, in aid of the same charity. Both events are being organised by our own club member, Laurann O'Reilly. She can be contacted on lauranndeniseoreilly@gmail.com

Congrats to members of Rathkeevan, Fethard and Slievenamon clubs who recently took part in a car wash fundraiser in the Showgrounds Shopping Centre, Clonmel, in aid of a defibrillator for the site and the rest was divided between the clubs. In all €1,352 was raised. Well done all!

Here in Fethard we are currently on a 'recruitment' drive and are actively canvassing new members for the club, so if you are in the area and think you might be interested why not come along to our next meeting or take part in one of the many group activities in the Macra year. The next meeting is Sunday, December 11, at 8pm in Butlers Bar, Fethard.

Fethard GAA News
Mass for deceased members of Fethard GAA will take place on Monday, November 28, at 7.30pm in Killusty. We ask that, as a mark of respect for those who are no longer with us, that all GAA Members, both senior and juvenile, attend.

Fethard GAA will hold their AGM on Friday, December 2, at 8pm in the Tirry Centre. All are welcome.

Merchandise will be available this Thursday, November 24, from 8pm to 8.30pm in the GAA Grounds (changing room). There will be shorts, socks, bags, replica jerseys, beanie bags and a small supply of other items. Those who have placed orders will be contacted by Ann with an update beforehand.

Now is the time that all the hard work behind the scenes start within the GAA. Meetings, forming new committees, recruiting coaches and assistants, appealing for fair grades, getting 2012 panels together etc. We wish all who are nominated for posts within the Divisional and County Board the very best of luck and we ask that if anyone feels they can contribute to the Fethard GAA Club, both and Senior and Juvenile level, in any way, please come along to the AGM on December 2, or let a member of the committee know.

We also ask that players rally in all their buddies who have not been present within the GAA in the past couple of years, to ensure that we have full panels for next year. This is your GAA club and without volunteer's and players we are at nothing!

County Minor Ladies Football Champions 2011

County Champions — Fethard Ladies Minor Team

History was made in Bansha last Sunday when our minor ladies won their first ever County minor title defeating Ardfinnan on the final scoreline of, Fethard 3-04, Ardfinnan 1-05.

Having lost to Ardfinnan in a thriller in 2010, the girls were determined that they would not be beaten a second time. Fethard started brightly and after 6 minutes full forward Jessie McCarthy had the ball in the Ardfinnan net. This was followed by an Amy Pollard point. However, Ardfinnan settled and scored a goal and added two further points to lead by 1-02 to 1-01. Amy Pollard again pointed to leave the sides level at half time.

Fethard started the second half as they finished the first with a further point from Amy Pollard but Ardfinnan responded and scored 3 points without reply to lead 1-05 to 1-03 with 14 minutes remaining. Fethard stepped up a gear and a goal and a point from Amy Pollard set up a grandstand finish with eight minutes remaining.

Fethard with some great defending from Katie Butler, Rachel Prout and Hannah Daly kept Ardfinnan at bay. Fethard attacked again with a minute remaining and following a goal mouth scramble Karen Hayes finished the ball to the net to put Fethard on their way to victory and when the final whistle sounded their was terrific scenes of jubilation.
Captain Mary Jane Kearney received the trophy on behalf of the team on which proved to be a historic day for Fethard Ladies Football Club. Well done to the management team of Tom Anglim, Tom McCarthy and Maureen McCarthy. Also thanks to our sponsor Fethard Car Boot Sale and to all the parents and supporters. There were great scenes in Fethard upon the teams arrival back with the traditional victory parade through the town. The team was Ciara Tillyer (1), Katie Butler (2), Hannah Daly (3), Jean Anglim (4), Aobh O'Shea (5), Rachel Prout (6), Faye Manton (7), Mary Jane Kearney (8), Aine Phelan (9), Emma Walsh (10), Amy Pollard (11), Lucy Butler (12), Karen Hayes (13), Jessie McCarthy (14), Leanne Sheehan (15). Subs were: Lorna Walsh (16), Ruby Kennedy (17), Evie O'Sullivan (18) and Annie Prout (19 injured)

Our county U16 final against Aherlow takes place this Sunday, November 27, at a time and venue to be confirmed. With a lot of the girls winning a minor title last weekend they will be hoping to complete a historic double. The U16 girls commenced training in February and due to circumstances beyond our control the final which was due to be played in May is only reaching its conclusion now. However, despite the delay the girls have worked hard in training all through have remained fully focussed on achieving our first U16 title.

We would like to wish the team and management team of Tom Ryan, Kieran Butler, Tom McCarthy, Alice Butler and Maureen McCarthy the very best of luck on Sunday as they bid to achieve a historic double.

Acts of Kindness
We are the 27 Tipperary Fethard Cub Scouts. As part of our Investiture, would like to do an Act of Kindness for our senior citizens. Over the next few Saturdays we will be in your neighbourhood to help: sweep your path, pick up some rubbish around your garden, walk your dog, we can go to the shop for you, bring in some coal or wood for your fire or other jobs that need doing. You will be easily able to recognise us, as we will be wearing our very smart uniforms.

We require no payment, as we are happy to work for no reward. We will be in your area on Saturday, November 26, between 12 noon and 2pm and also Saturday, December 3, between 12 noon and 2pm.

Should you have any queries, please contact our Scouters; John Walsh 087-6421587, Denis Larkin 087-2838684 or Michelle Hennebry 087-7953325

South Tipperary Retail Development Programme

Stakeholder Consultation Briefing Document

John Spain Associates and Spirit Marketing have been appointed by South Tipperary County Council to research and prepare a report on the retail sector in South Tipperary.  The purpose of this report is to set out a proactive plan of business actions to address identified deficits in the retail sector.

A key part of this report will be detailed consultation with key stakeholders in the County from the towns of Clonmel, Carrick on Suir, Tipperary, Cashel and Cahir and the district service centres of Fethard, Clogheen, Dundrum, Ballyclerihan and Lisvernane.

The stakeholder consultation forms a key part of the study and will inform the actions and recommendations of the final document.  The final report will focus on the provision of realistic, practical and achievable key actions which can be implemented by the stakeholders and that will result in the growth of appropriate retail output, retail mix and retail vibrancy in each of the towns.

The stakeholders are the ones with in depth knowledge of their town and the real issues facing retailers on a day to day basis.  Your views and opinions on tangible and practical actions to improve and enhance the retail sector in the County are essential.

In this regard we would like to invite you to a stakeholder workshop for Wednesday, November 23rd in the Tirry Community Centre from 7 to 8pm.  Your input to this process would be greatly appreciated.

In order to provide a basis to the discussions we provide overleaf a suggested agenda of issues to discuss.  We are of course happy to discuss any other matters of relevance at the stakeholder meeting.  If you have any further suggestions of comments that you wish to convey to us in advance of the meeting, please do not hesitate to contact us.

It would be appreciated if you could confirm your attendance at the meeting by contacting Robert Keran at rkeran@johnspainassociates.com or 01 6625803.

John Spain Associates

Agenda

1. Introduction and study overview
2. What are the strengths of your town as a retail centre?
3. What are the weaknesses of your town as a retail centre?
4. What are the opportunities for your town in relation to retail core and function?
5. What do you think the function and role of your town is e.g. is it a market town, a tourism town etc.
6. Do you think there are any gaps in the existing retail/service provision that may be affecting the retail performance of the town?
7. What do you think could be done to improve your town that would enhance its retail role and function?
8. Do you have any suggestions as to how either individually or collectively the retail operators in the town can increase their retail output and thus attract a greater share of the market?
9. How do you think the relationship between the town centre and edge of centre operators could be improved?
10. Have you participated in recently /or are currently participating in any marketing programmes designed to increase retail footfall and sales and if so what were the outcomes of this activity’
11. Do you have any other suggestions or feel that there are any other opportunities for targeted marketing, collaborative marketing or other such initiatives?
12. Do you think there is any scope to identify your town as having a distinct identity or brand?
13. Has consideration been given to the implementation of other measures such as Business Improvement District Schemes? (BIDS are schemes to enable the ratepayers to draw up a scheme of projects, services and works which aim to develop and implement a series of initiatives designed to both further promote and improve the trading environment for an area).
14. Is there scope to promote or develop other complementary town centre activities such as cultural events, farmers markets etc?
    15.      Are there any other issues you would like to raise or discuss?
15. Next step of consultation phase.
16. Conclusions.

'Calamity Jane' for Cloneen

Cast of 'Calamity Jane' photographed at rehearsal

Slievenamon Musical Society's production of 'Calamity Jane' takes place in Cloneen Sports & Social Club from Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th November. Curtain up at 8:15pm. Tickets: Adult €15, Children €10 available at 086 3161882 (11am to 2pm) and at 087 3283074 (6 to 9pm).

Annual Emigrant's Newsletter Donations
Work on the production of this year's Annual Emigrant's Newsletter has now commenced. We invite anyone interested in submitting articles or photographs for this year's issue to contact Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, Tel: 052 6131663 or by email: newsletter@fethard.com

Club secretaries are asked to submit their annual reports and photographs now.

If you would like to make a donation towards this years issue, you can do so securely online here MAKE A DONATION All donations over €10 will be acknowledged in this year's Newsletter.