Balldehob Community Council Newsletter

ISSUE: September 2011

Many Congratulations to all involved in Ballydehob tidy Towns Committee on this years excellent results and increased points in the 2011 Tidy towns Competition. A number of recommendations were put forward by the judges some of which can quite easily be dealt with. It would also be helpful if businesses in the village would keep the footpaths clean in front of their premises at all times (especially Monday Mornings) as valuable points are being lost here. Again well done to all and hopefully the number 1 spot can be achieved in 2012.
On the 26th August edition of Cork news a very worrying article was published with a heading “ Water Supplies Exceed Permitted Chemical Kevels”. High levels of Trihalomethanes (THMS) were detected in the water in the Schull / Skibbereen area which can cause cancer. According to the article Cork County Council are in discussions with the H.S.E. and go on to say that the Schull water supply will need to be upgraded to treat the water and lower levels of THMS. Ballydehob Community Council has written to Cork County Council for further information regarding the safety of our water and will publish Cork County Councils reply in next months edition.
On a happier note I would like to congratulate Mary McDonell of Coolagh, Ballydehob on winning the Ballydehob Community Council lotto jackpot of €6,800.00. A welcome boost with Christmas only around the corner. I would like to thank everyone for supporting our lotto bearing in mind that all proceeds from the Community Council’s funds are put back into the community in various different ways.
Ballydehob Community Council was disappointed to receive notification of refusal from Cork County Council in response to an application for funding for the removal of silt between the pier and the 3 arch bridge. Hopefully we can address this ongoing problem sooner rather than later.
Finally I would like to thank everyone for their donations and support for the Community Council Shop. I would also like to thank the volunteers who give their valuable time to run the shop and anyone with 2 ½ hours to spare during the week we would be very grateful for their help.
Martin Swanton, Chairperson, Ballydehob Community Council

Thought for the month
”You’re happiest while you’re making the greatest contribution.” Robert F. Kennedy

Skibbereen Ambulance Service – Public Meeting:
As you may be aware, Skibbereen Ambulance Service is going to be replaced by a Rapid response car with one Paramedic between the hours of 8pm and 8am 365 days a year in the near future and the Injuries assessment unit in Bantry is being closed during the same hours as of January 2012. The replacement of the Ambulance by a rapid response car is bad enough on its own but combined with the closure of the Bantry Unit will necessitate the transport of every accident casualty of sick person to a medical facility in Cork. The rapid response unit has no patient carrying capability and an ambulance will have to be called on every occasion. Skibbereen Town Council are extremely concerned with the situation and we have arranged a public meeting on Friday September 30th at 8.00pm in the West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen. It is vital for us all to support this meeting, please attend.

Mizen’s Got Talent
a new collaboration of Ballydehob, Schull & Goleen’s Community Councils, Mizen’s Got Talent is open to all amateurs of all talent & ages, but you must reside, work or be a student in either Ballydehob, Schull or Goleen. There is €1,000 prize money, 1st – €500, 2nd – €300 & 3rd – €200, each community council will hold their own heats and put forward 5 from their own areas. The Grand Final will be held in Schull on 17th December 2011. Full rules & information will be in next month’s newsletter or updated regularly on www.ballydehob.ie.

Ballydehob Community Hall
It’s that time of year again, the community hall is where it’s all happening from the return of Gymnastics Inc to new kick boxing classes. Full timetable can be accessed by logging on to www.ballydehob.ie and follow link to community hall. Date for your diary, Friday 11th November is the Annual Buffet with Music from Patrick O’ Sullivan. Tickets will be on sale shortly from usual outlets and committee members, book early to avoid disappointment. Hope to see you all there.

Ballydehob Old Time Threshing
date for you diary, Saturday 29th is our Vintage run & Sunday 30th October is our Old Time Threshing day in Community Field, all details in next month’s newsletter.

Champion Swimmer
“Stephen Redmond is one of the world’s hardiest marathon swimmers. He has completed the English Channel and is one of the few swimmers who has successfully crossed the North Channel between Scotland and Ireland. He has also become the first person to swim around Fastnet Rock, a small island in the Atlantic Ocean and the most southerly point of Ireland. Redmond is currently one of the few adventurers in the world on track to achieve the Ocean’s Seven.” Insert taken from www.openwaterpedia.com, what a champion our Stephen is, conquered his latest challenge & the first swimmer ever to swim around the Fastnet Rock on 17th August. Well done Stephen & Co. We’re very proud of you & we wish you the very best for your next challenge.

Ballydehob Community Shop:
opened Thurs-Sat 11am-4pm weekly in the Ballydehob Community Hall. All clothes etc. in good condition are welcome and can be dropped off at the shop. Thank you for your continued support.

Ballydehob Parent & Toddler
needs a new committee to run the morning sessions, anyone wishing to take over contact Noeleen Murphy 086/3254214.

Ballydehob Summer Festival 2011
What a festival we had this summer, Ballydehob Summer Festival Committee would like to say a big Thank You to each & every person that helped out in any way by donating your time or money for the running of the festival which we must say was a very successful festival for 2011. We were also very lucky with the weather which plays a huge part in the enjoyment of the festival. Prize & race winners can be accessed on our Facebook page. Looking forward to next year’s festival, will keep you posted in the newsletter & also www.ballydehob.ie.
Community Council Office
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 9am-2pm approx, contact Noreen Dalton on 028/37640 or 085/1824276.

To place an ad or news for newsletter contact Noeleen Murphy on 028/37463 or 086/3254214 email noeleen.murphy7@gmail.com. Ads are at a reasonable rate.
Ballydehob Community Council does not take responsibility for articles and opinions published.