All the news from Durrow, Spink, Ballinakill & Cullohill

DURROW MEALS ON WHEELS APPEAL:

We are appealing for volunteer drivers for the Country Run Delivery. This area covers Knockanoran, Cullohill and Ballacolla road; Meals On Wheels has a van which volunteers can use for deliveries for this particular run – all help would be much appreciated.  Please contact Ethel Dunphy or call into the FAS Office.   

CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE:

Cullohill Community Centre and Handball Club are working towards a viewing opportunity / walk through on Sunday July 11th 11.00 – 1.00. A lot of development work has been done over the last 15 months but unfortunately due to Covid, there has been no usage over this time. On the 11th we plan to let small groups at a time view the work done accompanied by a committee member. This will be staggered over the course of the morning and as people finish, there will be refreshments available (outdoor). We have got great support from the community and this, along with Laois Partnership Grant Funding, ensures we have a facility to be proud of. Hopefully as many as possible can make it on Sunday the 11th and then hopefully in the not-too-distant future once Covid restrictions ease further, activities in The Centre start to return to normal. All Very Welcome!

HEDGEHOG SURVEY IN DURROW:

A survey for hedgehogs as part of the Irish Hedgehog Survey led by researchers at NUI Galway and carried out by volunteers is taking place in Durrow over the next few days- 6 days in total.  The aim is to gather information on the distribution and abundance of hedgehogs across Ireland and the habitats they are found in. This survey uses footprint-tunnels to determine if hedgehogs are present in the area. The tracking tunnels are made of plastic and approx 80cm long and 30cm wide, they contain dry cat food as bait and an ink pad and paper at each entrance. When a hedgehog enters the tunnel to feed, they leave their footprints on the paper so we know they have visited. The tunnels are placed along ‘edge habitats’ e.g. along hedges, walls or grass verges. Ten tunnels will be place in Durrow town: O.L.Meadow P.S. Hurling Field, Soccer Field, Housing estates at Sean Doire, Erkindale Drive, Derrywood, The Pound, Near Old Bridge, Derry Road and the laneway into the Derry Wood. The tunnels are black and will be checked twice every day. If you see a tunnel in your area and have any questions about the survey you may contact Kathleen on 0868263368 or Elaine the survey coordinator in NUI Galway by email to elaine.oriordan@nuigalway.ie – Any sightings or stories you may have about hedgehogs may also be sent to Elaine using the above email.

DURROW TIDY TOWNS:

We are in full mode and judging will take place over the summer months, we don’t have a date and have been advised that results won’t be in until late Autumn as the competition was later this year.  We are asking every premises both residential and business to partake in our weekly five minute sweep outside their own premises.  This will be of great benefit to everyone and will keep Durrow tidy.  The town is looking so well but also needs more work and we are so delighted to see how much work all the housing estates are doing too.  It’s so positive and so encouraging to have so many people interested in where they live.  Thank you everyone!

Fundraising: With Covid-19 our yearly Church gate collections have been cancelled for the past two years which has been a big loss to Tidy Towns, but we have been so lucky to receive some €50 gift vouchers from Dunnes Nurseries and a Tablet from Offtech in Kilkenny along with generous donations of wine, treats and chocolates from all our volunteers and from Decs bar and with some of these, we have organised a draw for four fantastic and generous hampers.  Lines are currently on sale for €5 per line and each line gives you a chance to win one of four prizes, basically, four chances to win.  Keep a look out for our volunteers who will be selling from this week both in Durrow and at the Food and Craft fair on Saturday 3rd July and Sunday 25th July on the Green in Durrow.and your support, as always, would be greatly appreciated.  

BIKES FOR HIRE:

“Pedal Vintage” Durrow Community Bike Hire Scheme. Make the most of Summer! Cycle on the quiet country roads around Durrow and enjoy a cuppa at one of our lovely coffee shops or restaurants. Comfortable leisure style bikes for hire seven days a week at only five euro per hour, to include vintage style helmet and hi-vis jacket. Call 0868694691 or email  durrow.doings@gmail.com for more information.

CHURCH NEWS:

With Level five restrictions lifted we can again go to Mass which will be celebrated on Saturday night at 7.pm and Sunday morning at 11.30 am. We are short of volunteer’s as it is the holiday time and people are away in Ireland. If you wish to volunteer for one mass a month please contacts Martin Lawlor 087-2185839. Without Volunteers there will be no Masses in Durrow and it is up to everyone who goes to mass at the weekend to give one hour in a month to help keep Masses in Durrow. Face masks/covering must be worn in the church at all times except when receiving the Eucharist. Mass in Cullohill is at 8 pm on Saturday night and it can be got on Facebook or on radio at 106FM.
ANGLERS: Durrow/Cullohill Parish Anglers are delighted to announce from first Week in July 2021 the club can hold fishing competitions and all Covid-19 restrictions will have to be adhered too for the safety of all. More details of competitions will be published on Durrow Notes and each member will receive “text” in the week of the competition.
Contact David Walsh for all details. 

THIRD LAOIS DURROW SCOUTS NEWS:

Recently the Third Laois Durrow Scout group have been busy with their meetings. The Scout section have been camping in hammocks in the woods , making shelters, hiking as well as practicing their cooking skills in the open air with some amazing results. They have also been canoeing on the river and this is certainly an activity that they’ll be doing again in the near future. The Cub section also took to the river, and despite it being the first time that a lot of them were in a boat, they were well able to paddle and navigate the river while earning badges along the way. The cubs were also busy making parachutes for toy soldiers, cooking bread on an open fire, building shelters and practicing their hiking and first aid skills. Meanwhile the younger beavers were all very busy making their fantastic artwork and practicing cooking snacks and having plastic duck races!! We’ve also been fortunate to have been given access to a small garden space in Durrow across the road from the den which we plan to ask the youth members  to plant & decorate and it’ll be maintained as their space. The group also held the investiture of new youth members who joined us this year. If your child is interested in joining scouting at any age, please email Leanne our group leader at gldurrow@gmail.com. We’re also looking for adults to join as leaders –  the time commitment you give can be flexible and since we’re a voluntary organisation we rely on our fantastic leaders, without whom the group simply couldn’t exist. And who knows, you might even enjoy yourselves!!! And if being a leader isn’t your thing but you’d like to help in other ways then you could always join our parents and friends committee who help with fundraisers and general logistics throughout the year or become an associate member and offer help that way. Looking forward to September when we will be starting the adventure again. 

DURROW TIDY TOWNS – TIDY TOWNS COMPETITION 2021:

The 2021 Tidy Towns Competition is confirmed as going ahead and we need all help possible to make Durrow’s entry one of the best. A five minute sweep once or twice a week outside your business premises or home. As the summer season is coming households and businesses are asked to give colour to the town by putting up Hanging Baskets, window boxes and tubs.