If you can help, please enter your details below and I will forward them on! Thank you.

Work began last summer on clearing the grounds surrounding this prominent landmark on our main street but there is much work still to be done!

If you would be willing and able to give up a few hours per week to help out with this worthwhile project, please give Eamonn Clancy a call on 044 966 4658.

Sean Reilly and Roisin Reynolds from the Sheelin Turf Cutters and Contractors Association in Finea addressed the meeting, outlining their experiences in setting up their group and the widespread support they have received.

Sean Reilly explained that the aim of the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association is to have the recent EU dictat, supported and agreed by the Irish Government in relation to the banning of all future turf cutting; rescinded. This dictat was agreed by the Irish Government, with its EU bosses without any consultation, or interaction with the bog owners, or people with turbary rights.

He pointed out that the current value of one acre of raised bog has been independently estimated at between 250-300,00 euros. The Irish government are at the moment vigorously lobbying bog owners and other persons with turbary rights to sign up to a ‘compensation’ proposal which proposes 1,000 euros (or ten tonnes of turf) per year for 15 years. The sum of 750 million euros was allotted to the Irish Government by the EU to compensate bog owners for the surrender of their turf cutting rights. However this money has gone missing, or has been spent, so the likelihood of receiving compensation is very remote. Anyone who signs up to this ‘compensation’ proposal, in fact signs away ownership and all turbary rights in perpetuity.

National March

Details were given of a National March in Dublin on the evening of March 7th. On that day National Turf Cutters & Contractors Association, spearheaded by Deputy Luke “Ming” Flanagan, T.D; supported by a number of Dail deputies will bring a private members bill before Dail Eireann the week before commencement of turf cutting, where the business of the Dail will be 100% dedicated to the turf cutting issue. This will result in a Dail vote on the matter where each deputy will get an opportunity to reveal their support or otherwise for the turf cutters of Ireland. Delegations are being organised from all over Ireland to travel to Dublin on the day. ‘This is our last and only chance to defend our long standing rights as bog owners and users. There is strength in numbers. “We need boots on the ground” concluded Mr Reilly.

Nominations were then opened for a number of positions in a Delvin Turf Cutters and Contractors group and the following were selected: Mick Nevin (Chairperson), Mags Glennon (Secretary), E Fechin (Assistant Secretary), Ronan Leonard (Treasurer). Another meeting was announced for the Delvin Handball Alley at 8pm on Wednesday February 8th. The meeting is open to all who are interested in helping to get a turf cutters and contractors group organised in the Delvin and general East Westmeath area. Application forms are also available for those interested in joining the National Turf Cutters and Contractors Association (TCCA).

Submitted by Mags Glennon
087 671 1130

Dinner Menu

Celebrate Valentines Day and treat your loved one to an evening meal at the Camán Inn, Delvin.

Enjoy a 3 course meal with complimentary tea or coffee for just €16.95 per person.

Booking is advised, so please call 044 966 4141 to reserve your table today.

Live Music

All are welcome to come and enjoy live music courtesy of Ronan Leonard from 9pm.

Camán Inn Valentines Menu

Starter

Home-made Vegetable Soup
Served with brown bread

Chicken Wings
Chicken wings cooked to crispy perfection

Prawn Cocktail
Dublin Bay prawns served on a bed of crisp lettuce
with a Marie Rose dressing

Main Course

Steak On The Stone
A beautiful, natural way to eat the finest of dry aged steak,
cooked to perfection exactly as you like it and served with
3 sauces – Pepper, Garlic Butter & Mushroom
(a €3 supplement is added for this choice)

Grilled Fillet of Salmon
Served with creamy mashed potato and a prawn and
lemon butter sauce

Breast of Chicken
In a creamy white wine and mushroom sauce

Vegetable Stir Fry
A medley of oriental vegetables stir fried together in a
garlic soya sauce and served with noodles

Dessert

Fresh Fruit Pavlova
Chocolate Fudge Cake
Malteser Cheesecake

Tea OR Coffee

€16.95

Created and managed by DelvinVillage.Com, the new website will pull together information about the event in one place, making it easier for sponsors, visitors and parade participants to get what they need more quickly.

Organisers of the parade are now looking for businesses, clubs and groups of friends and neighbours to help make the parade the biggest, brightest and most colourful yet. If you an idea for a float, a humorous sketch or you have a special talent that you’d like to showcase – now is your chance!

Check out the new website at http://parade.delvinvillage.com and register your interest now!

Daybreak are currently offering 500g tubs of Ben & Jerry’s Icecream for just €3 each!

Choose from the following flavours:

• Caramel Chew Chew
• Chocolate Fudge Brownie
• Phish Food
• Baked Alaska
• Cookie Dough

Offer valid from 30th January to 25th February while stocks last.

Daybreak‘s February offers are now in store.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE OFFER LEAFLET

Offers are valid from 30th January to 25th February and are available while stocks last.

For more information about De Valley Honda 50 Club, please click here.

The 2012 Valley Honda Run will take place on Sunday 4th March and will be in aid of the Rotunda Neo-natal Unit and Delvin Scouts.

Latest News

26/01/2012 - De Valley Honda 50 Run 2012
13/02/2011 - Gearing Up For 2011 Valley Honda 50 Run
07/03/2010 - 2010 Honda 50 Run

Next Event

The Schools are run by Mr Rodney Connolly 2nd Degree and his assistants Mr Bryan Mahon 1st Degree and Carrielee Mahon 1st Kup.

The First grading of the day was held in Delvin Parish Hall with students of Delvin Taekwon-Do and Edgeworthstown Taekwon-Do nervously awaiting Senior Master Brendan o’Toole 8th Degree arrival. The day started with fundamental movements as Master o’Toole put the Students through their paces. After a successful Grading Master o’Toole posed for photographs with the students.

The Grading then moved to Clonmellon Community Centre as another group of students awaited Master o’Toole arrival after another successful grading more photos waited for Master o’Toole as students looked to get pictures with one of the pioneers of Taekwon-Do in Ireland.

February

22nd – Ash Wednesday
24th – Confirmation

March

17th – St Patrick’s Day (Holy Day)

April

8th – Easter Sunday

May

12th – First Holy Communion
27th – Pentecost Sunday

August

5th – Cemetery Day in Killulagh
6th – Cemetery Day in Crowenstown
11th – Cemetery Day in Delvin
15th – Assumption (Holy Day)

November

1st – All Saints (Holy Day)

December

2nd – First Sunday of Advent
8th – Immaculate Conception (Holy Day)
25th – Christmas Day

Local Churches

Church of the Assumption, Delvin
Church of St Livinius, Killulagh

Garda Report

Garda representatives gave an account of recent incidents in the locality.

• It was reported that between the 1st and 18th January, a local store had reported two incidents of theft. Progress has been made in identifying the perpetrators and charges have been filed in respect of one the incidents while investigations continue on the other.
• Garda attended a domestic disturbance in the early hours of January 1st following several calls from residents. Some criminal damage was caused to a property and a youth was cautioned.
• Garda responded to a call from a worried resident who saw intruders outside the back door. This matter was also investigated.

Garda are appealing to all residents to remain vigilant and to always report any behaviour that arouses suspicion or causes concern. Please try to give as much information as possible about individuals or vehicles involved, as such details can make an enormous difference to how roaming garda officers deploy their resources.

In a questions and answers section, a resident enquired about the new law on “Reasonable Force” in protecting your home against intruders. Garda responded that the new law had not yet been tested and that they could not therefore give a definite response. Instead, they advised that householders should always exercise caution and ensure their own safety. Call the garda immediately and support will arrive as quickly as possible.

Bottle In The Fridge

At the meeting in October, Noel McCarthhy of Muintir Na Tire gave an overview of an initiative called “Bottle In The Fridge”. The idea is that an elderly person will keep a bottle in their fridge with details of medical conditions and medication required and that emergency services would be alerted to this on arrival if the person required assistance.

A representative of Community Alert will seek to address the next meeting of the Friendship Club about the benefits of this scheme and should anyone else be interested in this initiative on behalf of an elderly relative or neighbour, they are invited to get in contact with a member of the Committee.

Should sufficient interest be expressed, Noel will return with more information and the scheme will be rolled out.

Alarms For Senior Citizens

It was reported that there are offers available for senior citizens where they can avail of a low cost monitored panic alarm, installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, motion flood flights and emergency torches. Should you be interested in finding out more, please contact a member of the committee.

Matters Arising

• Community Alert should be represented in this year’s St Patrick’s Parade – a point that proposed and agreed by a number of attendees. Ideas for how the group can make a real impact in the parade are invited.
• Monthly Meetings should be held to build and maintain momentum – this was another point that was raised and carried.
• A collection will be carried out on the 16th and 17th July to help raise funds for the group.
• Delvin needs a publically accessible defibrillator. At present, defibrillators can be found at the GAA park and the golf club, but both of these were privately funded and serve a given location. The equipment would cost in the region of €1,000 and a group of residents would need to learn how to use the device, but everyone present agreed that this would be a good investment. An expert will be invited to the February meeting to provide more information.
• It was suggested that a Fun Day be organised in June to raise funds for Community Alert and other local groups and causes. The committee will look at dates available and advise.
• The empty property beside the diner on Main Street was discussed. The property was vandalised last autumn and was subsequently boarded up, only for the vandals to regain access to the property within hours of the boards being put up. The owner of the property will be approached and asked to review security, and residents are reminded to report trespassers seen around derelict properties such as this.
• Volunteers are again being sought to help with the clear up at St Mary’s Church. A great start was made last year but the ruins will need more attention to keep them in good condition.

A Vote Of Thanks

The committee extended a sincere “thank you” to councillor Dan McCarthy who has recently retired from service. Dan was a keen supporter of the group and other local projects and his assistance and input will be missed.

Community Alert wishes Dan and his wife a long, healthy and happy retirement.

Next Meeting

Wednesday 22nd February 2012

Featuring live music, street entertainment, floats, displays and plenty of colour – the Parade is always a popular event and a memorable outing for all the family.

News and information will be posted on the dedicated page at http://delvinvillage.com/parade and details of planning meetings will be added for anyone that wants to get involved behind the scenes.

Sponsorship and other enquiries are also now welcome and can be submitted using the special contact form here.

With experience drawn from time spent in some of Ireland and Canada’s top hair salons, accomplished stylist Aggie McGrath opened “Stylemasters” in 2010 and has developed a successful business at her premises near Mullingar.

Set in a convenient location just off the N4 (Killucan exit), Stylemasters is a unisex hair studio with plenty of parking right outside the door.

Aside from everything you would expect from a traditional salon, Aggie is also a trained colourist and can offer her clients advice on the latest hair fashions, as well as general hair care tips.

GENTS! A barber is available on Fridays and Saturdays so you are more than welcome too!

Mobile Bridal Service

Are you getting married this year? If so, Stylemasters offer a mobile service for the bridal party and are happy to call to you in Delvin and the surrounding areas.

Please contact Aggie for full details and pricing.

Happy Christmas one and all!

All monies raised go to people in the area. We will continue to be there in 2012 and to do our best with the resources available to us – for anyone who needs us. Remember, we can be contacted at 086 107 1112.

Submitted by Society Vincent de Paul

Local school children sang Christmas songs and carols while locals also admired a specially constructed crib.

Congratulations to the organising committee and everyone else who helped put this event together.

Photos

With first place in INTA colour belt National championships in sparring in 2006, 2010 and again in 2011, Bryan has now secured the position of assistant instructor to Mr. Connolly for the Clonmellon and Delvin branch of Midlands Taekwon-Do.

For details of local class times, please click here.

Submitted by Midlands Taekwon-Do

Students can expect the highest standards, including:

• Tuition from a patient Instructor (ADI Reg. 34871)
• Courses to suit beginners & nervous pupils
• Dual Control Car
• Discount on block bookings
• Gift vouchers available
• Car available for test

For further information, please contact John Moran on 087 412 1841.