Direct from Durrow

THIRD LAOIS DURROW SCOUTS NEWS: Our meetings resumed in the New Year and the Scouts motto is ‘Be Prepared’. During our meetings we have many different activities. This week Cub Scouts organised camps where we did lists for the equipment we will need for our troop and we calculated how much food we should get for our budget. It is a challenge for the Cubs and they all did well. We finished our meeting with a hot chocolate over an open fire (That was the best part!) If you are interested in the outdoors and like to show skills to others, why don’t you join us? Contact Delphine Lawlor on (086) 3655178.

Scarecrow Helpers: A Scarecrow helpers meeting will be held on Monday 5th February at 9pm in Library, please spread the word to anybody that you think might be interested in getting involved.

Durrow Tidy Towns: The Tidy towns committee are very active in Durrow with the help of our local CE Scheme, a lot of improvement have been made and we would ask every resident and business to keep the outside of their homes and premises neat and tidy. Please keep an eye out on our Facebook page for updates and work nights over the coming months.

St. Patricks Day: Durrow Development are pleased to confirm that the St. Patrick’

s Day festival will run this year on Saturday 17th March. We will have a parade and would ask all businesses, clubs and organisations to get involved. The event was sadly missed last year and it would be important to get everybody involved. We will also have a Food and Craft Fair on the green along with Bouncy Castles and Mini GAA matches. If anybody would like to get involved and assist, please do contact any DDF member, we would be delighted with new ideas and assistance to help make this day a chance to catch up and meet with family and friends!

CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE:

Cullohill Community Centre and Cullohill Tidy Towns Committees would like to thank everyone who supported last Sunday’s Auction. It was a great success – thanks to all who donated items, all who attended on the day, all who generously gave sponsored items and to those who made cash donations. Thanks also to auctioneer David O’Connell who had a very busy afternoon – with close on 300 items going under the hammer David got full value for everything on offer. Many of the local children and teenagers got involved in the bidding also – they just had to be careful not to nod their head or scratch their ear at the wrong time… or they could have ended up with a bargain they hadn’t bargained for! A brilliant afternoon and thanks again to all in the parish (and beyond) for their generosity and support.

The Progressive 25 Card Games are held in the hall every Sunday night at 8.30pm sharp followed by tea and sandwiches. Please support!

The Blood Transfusion Mobile Unit visited Durrow recently and a total of 131 people attended the clinic, including 15 new donors and 8 lapsed donors. A big thank you to all who attended this clinic. Silver awards for ten donations went to Heather Lalor of Rathdowney, Sevtlana SevastJanova of Abbeyleix, Michael Walsh of Ballyroan, Pat Lawlor of Abbeyleix and Brendan Keogh of Spink. A Gold Award for twenty donations was given to Elizabeth Lane from the Derry Road in Durrow. Well done all!

The Durrow and District Pipe Band which is back open and running, having been formed during 2017 are seeking a few new members, as this is the time of year to start lessons. Maria O Connor is our Pipe Major with Brigid Maher in charge of the drum corps. It is very important that those interested, who have not played before, get in touch as soon as possible so that all will be on a level starting footing. Age is of no importance, anywhere between 9 and 90, male or female will be warmly welcomed. For more details please contact John Sheeran, Bandmaster on (087) 2493749.

Church Cleaning Rota – February 2018: Teresa Dunphy, Mary Lawlor, Margaret Donohue, Brigid Conroy and Julie Lalor.

Mass Readers: Saturdays – January 27th and February 3rd: Martin Lawlor; February 10th and 17th: Catherine Freeman. Sundays – January 14th and January 21st: Stephanie Phelan; January 28th and February 4th: Irene Phelan; February 11th: Michael Conroy; February 18th: Liam Phelan.

SYMPATHY is extended to Jacinta Fitzpatrick, Upper Tubberboe, Durrow and the Kenny family, Seskin South, Lisdowney, on their recent bereavement.

Sympathy is extended to the Sheppard family, St. Fintan’s Tce, Durrow on their recent bereavement.

CULLOHILL ICA: The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 6th 2018 at 8pm.

PILATES: The new Pilates classes start in Cullohill Community Centre on January 30th and continue on Tuesdays from 1.30pm to 2.30pm until March 13th – please note change of time from previous years.