Local Notes: Christmas lights are installed at Jackie Clarke

Odd jobs in the homes of the vulnerable

The recently launched Lend A Hand programme involves Craoibhín Ballina carrying out minor house repairs and odd jobs in the homes of people who need extra support in the Ballina and surrounding areas.

Run under the auspices of Moy Valley Resources, Craoibhín is open to any adult who experiences social isolation, loneliness or who would like to make a friend in the community.

The Lend A Hand Programme was launched last month, and has a dedicated van for carrying tools and personnel to implement the service in people’s homes.

This new programme extends Craoibhín’s involvement in the Ballina community and complements many of the group’s existing projects and regular activities.

A suitable job for this social inclusion group to carry out should take less than one hour to complete, and includes tasks such as changing light bulbs, checking smoke alarms, installing locks, door chains and bolts, setting heating timers or installing curtain rails.

There is a small fee for the service and for more information you can call the centre on 087-2785365.

Died in England

The death has taken place of Lily Butters (née Murray), Dorset, England and formerly of Bunree Road, Ballina.

Lily was the much-loved and cherished wife of Bill and loving mother to her sons Ronnie, Paul and Michael. She is also deeply regretted by her daughters-in-law, Theresa and Sara, and extended families.

She was a loving grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother and will be sadly missed by her sisters Jean and Ann, and by her relatives and friends, both in England and in Ireland.

Lily was predeceased by her parents Delia and Paddy Murray, daughters Nancy and Marion, brothers Frank, John, Harry, PJ, David, and her sister Patsy.

Lily’s funeral took in Sherborne, Dorset, England.

Pieta House Outreach Service

Pieta House provides counselling, therapy and support to individuals, couples, families and children who have been bereaved by suicide or who are feeling suicidal.

Pieta House first opened its doors in Lucan, Co Dublin in 2006. Since then, the fully registered charity has seen and helped over 70,000 people in suicidal distress or engaging in self-harm.

Pieta House operate an Outreach Service from the Ballina Family Resource Centre, Abbey Street, Ardnaree on Tuesdays and Thursdays, by appointment only. Please contact the Pieta West Centre in Tuam on 093-25586 to make an appointment.

Ballina Soroptimist Quiz Night

The annual Quiz Night organised by Soroptimist International Ballina will take place in The Loft Bar, Pearse Street this Thursday night, November 23. The fun event starts at 8pm with proceeds going to local charities.

Alarm monitoring scheme for over-65s

Ballina Family Resource Centre is advising those aged over 65 who are living alone, or living with another eligible person, that they may qualify for the Seniors Alert Scheme.

The Seniors Alert Scheme (SAS) was established to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in our communities. It provides funding for a personal monitored alarm, connected to a contact centre, to enable older persons of 65 or older and of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind.

The scheme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development, via Pobal, with equipment made available through community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations registered with Pobal under the SAS.

All equipment and installation under the scheme is free.

The alarm monitoring service is also free for the first 12 months but, after the first year, users will be asked to pay the annual monitoring fee.

If you think you may be entitled to apply for the scheme, please contact Ballina Family Resource Centre, Abbey Street, Ballina on 096-75573.

Christmas Draw for local shoppers

Continuing a long-standing tradition, Ballina retailers are delighted to announce the return of the annual Christmas Cracker Bonanza Draw for 2023.

Each year, Ballina businesses offer up to €10,000 worth of vouchers for the Christmas Draw, with draws taking place during the month of December.

When you spend locally in a participating Ballina business, your name is entered into the Christmas Draw. You could then be in with a chance of winning €100 worth of vouchers.

A total of four draws will take place during December, co-ordinated by Ballina Chamber of Commerce.

Eveningget-togethers

Flourish Social Prescribing Service and ALONE are hosting a casual get-together at the Ballina Manor Hotel from 6.30pm on Tuesday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 28.

All are welcome to join in for the company and the chat. For more information, please feel free to contact 087-1857280.

The late Noel Barrett

The death has taken place of Noel Barrett, Terenure, Dublin and formerly of Ballina.

Noel was the beloved husband of Elie Haddad, and son of the late Donal Barrett.

Noel will be sadly missed by his mother Joy Barrett, his sister Marian Maher and her husband Paul, his nephew Simon and nieces Jennifer Maher, Laura Hora and Suzie O’Neill, as well as his grandnephews and nieces, extended family and a large circle of friends.

Noel reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina last Tuesday. Requiem Mass took place in St Muredach’s Cathedral on Wednesday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.

Craoibhín Christmas Dinner

Craoibhín Ballina’s Christmas Dinner is in the Great National Hotel Ballina, Old Foxford Road on Thursday afternoon, December 14. Music will be supplied by Louise Langan. The cost is €25 per person, which is non-refundable and must be paid no later than December 8. For more information, call the centre on Cathedral Road, Ballina at 087-2785365. All are welcome along to the outing, which takes place from 1 to 4pm.

Comic look at climate change

The serious topic of climate change will be given a humorous twist when Diane O’Connor brings her show ‘The Accidental Activist’ to Ballina as part of Ballina Climate Action Weekend.

The Dublin stand-up comedian’s show is about a woman trying to find her place in the midst of climate change.

It will be presented in The Stables at Belleek Castle, Ballina on Saturday, November 25, at 8pm. The show will be followed by music with a DJ. Entry costs €10 and tickets are available through Eventbrite.

The show is part of a series of events in the town over this weekend which also includes the planting of trees in Tom Ruane Park, Sligo Road at 10am and a Circular Economy Swap Shop at The Stables in Belleek Castle from 12 noon to 4pm, both events also taking place on Saturday, along with events on Friday.

The Swap Swap sees Ballina Climate Action Weekend tackling Black Friday! You can bring or buy pre-loved football boots, vinyl records, bric-a-brac, disco dresses, jeans and more. Pure Clothing will be present on Saturday afternoon, alongside some repair and upcycling workshops.

There is also €1,000 in Ballina Green Town Vouchers available for some of Ballina’s finest circular economy shops. Drop in to Ballina Chamber of Commerce and collect your vouchers to use with repairs, upcycling and low waste local shopping.

The tree planting ceremony in Tom Ruane Park is part of Ballina 2023, and is dedicated to all the children born in Ballina during this year, in association with AIB Ballina. You can enter your baby’s name at www.maryrobinsoncentre.ie.

Further details about the weekend events are available from the Mary Robinson Centre website.

Learn the power of singing in local choir

If you have ever considered joining a choir then Rejoice Gospel Choir, Ballina may be of interest to you.

For those who like to sing, this popular and busy choral group has issued an open invitation to come along to the Ballina Manor Hotel in the town centre this Wednesday, November 22, at 8pm. There you will have a chance to meet the group’s Musical Director and singers to discuss the power of singing in a choir, and learn about the benefits and enjoyment you can glean from becoming a member.

Annual Cake Sale in Presbyterian Church Hall

The annual sale of homemade cakes, mince pies, jams, hampers and bric-a-brac will be held in Ballina Presbyterian Church Hall, Walsh Street, Ballina (beside the Jackie Clarke Collection) on Saturday, November 25, at 2pm. Your support would be appreciated.

The lateElizabeth Langdon

The death has taken place of Elizabeth (Liz) Langdon, 56 Lord Edward Street, Ballina.

Elizabeth is deeply mourned by her loving brothers Michael and Martin, sisters Patricia and Nora, sister-in-law Philly, brothers-in-law Michael, Eugene and Sylvie, nieces and nephews, close friend Carmel, work colleagues in United Drug and a wide circle of friends.

She was predeceased by her parents Pete and Margie, brothers Billy, Paddy and Peter, sisters Celia, Margaret and Kathleen, nephew Darren and niece Pamela.

Elizabeth reposed at her residence on Thursday and Friday of last week. Requiem Mass was held in St Patrick’s Church, Ballina on Saturday followed by cremation at Shannon Crematorium.

Ballina Flood Relief Scheme update

Minister of State Dara Calleary TD has confirmed that a draft Options Report, in which a preferred scheme design option for the Ballina Flood Relief Scheme has been identified, is currently being reviewed. The Minister raised the matter in Dáil Éireann earlier this month.

“Having again raised the matter in the Dáil, I have received an update on the proposed Ballina Flood Relief Scheme, a crucial project that I have been pursuing for a number of years. I can confirm that the project has a preliminary budget of €30m and is currently at Stage 1 – Scheme Development and Preliminary Design. To progress the Ballina Flood Relief Scheme, Mayo County Council has engaged the services of RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd,” said Minister Calleary.

“With support from the OPW, various works have been completed by Mayo County Council and its consultants, including hydrological and hydraulic reports, topographical surveys, ground investigations, and environmental surveys, with public consultation events also having been held. It is envisaged that an Environmental Impact Assessment Report will be completed in Q1 2024 at which point Stage I will be completed and the scheme is expected to proceed to planning process from Q2 2024. I will be keeping in regular contact with the all stakeholders, including the Department, to ensure the project continues to move towards construction in a timely manner,” added the Minister.

Mayo COPD Support Group meeting

Mayo COPD Support Group will meet in Castlebar later this week. The meeting is at 2.30pm on Thursday, November 23, in the Castlebar Lawn Tennis Club, Lannagh Road.

Fitness instructor Sarah Keane and HSE Self-Management Support Co-Ordinator Ailish Houlihan are scheduled to address the afternoon meeting.

New members are always welcome.

Moy Singers Christmas Carol show

The Moy Singers annual Carols by Candlelight Christmas Concert will be presented by the Ballina choral group this coming Saturday, November 25, at 8pm. It takes place in the Great National Hotel, Ballina and tickets can be purchased from all choir members, from the Tourist Office on Pearse Street, or from the venue. Special guests are Sligo Music Sinfonietta, with up to 65 musicians and soloists singing all your favourite carols and songs.

Make a Christmas wreath

Marie Brogan will be providing a demonstration on how to make a Christmas wreath at home during the next Craoibhín Ballina Gardening Club Meeting. The meeting is on Wednesday, November 29, at 7pm.

The cost is €5 and everyone is welcome to come along to this social occasion, which takes place in the Craoibhín Ballina Centre on Cathedral Road.