PAGE 2
Happy Birthday to the following who celebrated ‘big’ birthdays recently: Gus Kavanagh of Wellfield who was joined by family and friends for a birthday party with daughter Aoife home from Australia and also celebrating her birthday the same day. (Gus has prohibited The Bugle from reporting on the night – he is holding out for an offer from “Hello” magazine…)

Happy Birthday to our friendly victualler, Brendan Langan who was treated to a party at Clane GAA Clubhouse to celebrate his ‘big’ birthday.

Congratulations to Gerry Fennell on celebrating his 21st birthday but had to share with Uncle John, who was forty - I missed that party and, by all accounts, what a party….. (see Bits n Bobs).

To Jason King who celebrates his 18th Birthday.

Congratulations to Loreen Anderson and Mark Bolger who were married in Naas last week and afterwards held their reception in the lovely Faithlegg Mews in Waterford.
Congratulations to Alona and Peter Lawlor (senior) of Bishophill also married recently – health and happiness to all the newlyweds.

The Harvest Festival of thanksgiving will take place on the 27th and 28th of October in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. After each Mass the Fund Raising drive to defray the cost of Church Roof repairs will continue with Coffee and Raffles. Mary Campbell, Ballymore's nominee for the Kildare person of the Year, will be scouring the highways and byways for foliage to decorate the church. Mary is also the main mover in the Fund Raising dept, so go along; else the Coughlanstown Mafia will be after you.



Art Class – enrolment took place on Thursday 18th October in The Resource Centre for art classes starting from 1st November under the capable palette of Jackie O’Neill; if you missed the enrolment but are keen to participate, contact Jackie at 087 270 6330

Please take note, the existing Ballymore Eustace Arts Group will host their 2nd Art Exhibition in The Ballymore Inn on Thursday 6th December in the back bar of the Ballymore Inn. More details of that next month!
______________________________________________________________________
Mother & Toddler Group
Similar to previous ads: We meet from 10.30 to 12.00 every Tuesday at The Resource Centre excluding the first Tuesday of the month when we go to The Playbarn in Blessington.
New Members always welcome! Contact Fiona at 087 995 6085
__________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________
With Christmas in Mind…
Speaking of flowers – The Dunlavin Flower & Garden Club are hosting a floral demonstration with Richard Delmer in the Jonathan Swift School in Dunlavin on Wednesday 14th November, 2007 at 8pm, all welcome.


Bits ‘n Bobs with Rose

MARY ON HER WAY
Well, if you don’t know by now, then you should – our own Mary Campbell of Coughlanstown is nominated for Co Kildare Person of the Year Award, Gala Night to be held on Friday 9th November. We wish Mary all the best; doesn’t matter on the night who wins the overall award because all finalists are presented with an individual award and their work community acknowledged on the night. Now Mary Campbell could win the “I’m too modest for my own good” award anytime; she is probably too shy to invite well-wishers and members of the clubs she has been involved in to come along and support her on the night. Don’t mind her, if any of you want to come to the Awards Night, just contact me at 086 895 6097 or contact Mary at 045 864 068 – she can hardly refuse, can she?

Mary, the best of luck, enjoy your night – you deserve the pampering and attention, even if you’d prefer not to be in the spotlight! I am looking forward to see Mary in a dress – the only time I saw those legs of hers were when she was playing badminton…
_________________________________________________________

GREEN and GOLD for the Lads and the Ladies!
As I write this, it’s the eve of the Intermediate Championship; the players are probably starting to get tense and tetchy, the streets are dotted with green and gold flags erected by Tim & Co of the local GAA; photographs by El Christiforo are on view at Langan’s Butchers, Costcutters, Hanlon’s Betting Office and The Medical Centre. The neighbours on the Naas Road, Brownes and Balfes have bunting and flags out so I’ve succumbed and bought some too….. It feels a bit like festival week really!

By the time you read this, Ballymore will be Intermediate Champions or not – then again, it could be a draw. Either way, don’t take down the bunting too soon because the Ladies will be competing in the League Final this weekend so you will get more mileage out of your green and gold décor. And put it away for next year; the current Ballymore men’s A team have an impressive line-up of players who have matured (football wise) over the past few years – there’s more silverware to be won by these lads and the Ladies, despite having a tough time in the Championship, have shown they’re here to stay. If they win the League, well, they will celebrate for months and only cease in time for next year’s competitions!

__________________________________________

JOHN AND GERRY CELEBRATE ON THE DOUBLE with 2 photos as enclosed to go beside this piece??
Ace sportsmen Gerry Fennell and his uncle, John recently celebrated their respective birthdays together – they even dressed in matching outfits. (I was going to slag them about that but decided against, seeing as they have boxing experience). The ballroom in Ardenode was full, thanks to the innovative invitations of young Iain; Bernie Fishers’ cakes went down a treat and Darren, “The Stand In DJ” played a blinder. Afterwards, the younger party animals partied some more at Fennell’s Birthday Marquee although the GAA lads, mindful of their championship quest, drank only minerals.

So its official, ‘young’ John Browne is forty and Gerry is twenty one. ‘Old’ John is seen here dancing like a young buck and not a wobbly knee in sight…. Maria, John’s wife whisked the hubby off to Las Vegas for a surprise treat; seeing as her fortieth is drawing close, I just hope John isn’t planning a take-away and DVD that night!

Gala Fashion Show at the Clanard Court Hotel, Athy on Wed 24th October at 8pm. All proceeds in aid of St. Vincent de Paul. Guest appearances : The Sullivan Bros, Mandy Mc Loughlin - Big Chance belly dancers. Compere: Charlie Hughes. There will also be an Antiques Fair, bric-a-brac etc. Tickets €12.50 available from Vincent's shops in Ballymore Eustace and Athy.

Friends of St Brigid's Hospice would like to thank all who supported the recent annual coffee morning held at The Thatch in aid of St Brigid's Hospice, The Curragh. Special thanks to Mick Swan, proprietor of The Thatch who facilitated the event and staff members, Nigel and Jacqueline for their help on the day. The organisers raised €1,250 and would like to acknowledge those who donated spot prizes or supported in any way - your contribution is most appreciated.


WELL DONE BALLYMORE!

The results of the 2007 Tidy Towns competition were recently announced, as reported by Rose in September’s Bugle. Ballymore Eustace achieved a massive eighteen point increase over last year’s score putting us second in our category in Kildare.

A big thank you to everybody who contributed to this success. The Tidy Towns group (including Maeve Cummins, Gary Deegan, Mary Deegan, Tommy Deegan, Mary & Eric Firth, and Jimmy Pearse), the FÁS Team (Martin Deegan, Frankie Burke, and Tommy Barker), and the many people who worked quietly, modestly and consistently behind the scenes keeping their patch and others tidy, and clear of litter and weeds.

Undoubtedly, the painting and clearing of the derelict buildings has improved the look of the village and counted well in our favour with the Tidy Towns competition judges. The newly painted Band Hall is a lovely welcome to the village and the repainted Church wall is a great enhancement. The tree planting is beginning to “bear fruit”, and the wildflower gardens add to the colour and beauty of the village.

There are many areas, detailed in the Adjudicators’ Report below, which can be improved. Some enhancements are within our scope, effort and control, and they are readily identified in the Adjudicators’ Report. Other improvements can only be achieved through constant reminders, requests, and information to our local authorities – although this feels like a war of attrition at times!

The Tidy Towns Group would welcome more volunteers and helpers – to provide both practical help and new ideas. We have some great plans for the future. We are looking at ways of improving our methods of quick communication to any volunteers – something we need to look at seriously – so that we can, for example, set up or cancel a clean up at short notice (circumstances and/or weather frequently dictate a last minute change of plan). Any ideas, please? Any member of the Tidy Towns Group would be glad to hear from you



Tidy Towns Competition 2007
Adjudication Report
Centre; Ballymore Eustace Ref:357
County: Kildare Mark:243
Category: C Date(s): 25/06/2007

Max. Mark Marks Awarded 2007
Overall Development Approach 50 40
The Built Environment 50 33
Landscaping 50 36
Wildlife and Natural Amenities 50 26
Litter Control 50 30
Waste Minimization 20 2
Tidiness 30 16
Residential Areas 40 27
Roads, Streets and Back Areas 50 27
General Impression 10 7
TOTAL MARK 400 243

Overall Development Approach
Ballymore Eustace is welcome to the 2007 National Tidy Towns Competition. Thank you for your submission which included your planned work programme. Ballymore Eustace enjoys an excellent location on the banks of the River Liffey and has an interesting layout and street pattern with a rise and fall of some of its roads which adds visual interest. Stone building and walls give the town a fine character. Well done on your partnership approach with your local authority and other state agencies together with businesses and schools and on all you have achieved this year.
The Built Environment.
Well done on the work you have accomplished for the church boundary walls and railings together with activities on derelict buildings. The Fogarty premises has too many signs and its Dutch awnings should be either removed altogether or replaced with a more traditional type. Most commercial properties are well maintained and Headons is an attractive and well presented buildings. While the church itself is a little weather stained, the adjacent hall had been beautifully painted by the day of the adjudication; the church is certainly well appointed and creates a positive visual impact on the villagescape. The school and grounds are neatly presented. It was surprising to note the number of dated plastic beer signs in the village.

Landscaping.
The planting of native species on the Naas and Poulaphouca roads together with the River walk is most appropriate as this is supportive of wildlife, we note also your plan to continue with native species in your landscaping programme. The Millennium garden in the village centre is a most attractive feature and continues to be well presented. The landscape entrance and drive to the KTK quarry was admired.

Wildlife and Natural Amenities.
The sports grounds were presented to a high standard particularly in relation to its roadside edge, both the Liffey walk and the general amenity here offer fine recreation opportunities to the community. Well done also on the creation of a wildflower garden to attract butterflies, insects and other wildlife. We wish you every success in your Biodiversity Survey and the extension and increase in the number of wildflower gardens.

Litter Control.
Our appreciation is offered to the students of Scoil Mhuire on their participation in the National Spring Clean. A similar big thank you is extended to the Girl Guides for their work in cleaning the streets of Ballymore Eustace. Hopefully your liaison with Kildare County council regarding litter control and enforcement staff will be successful.
Waste Minimization.
We note your proposed pilot composting scheme at Liffey Heights estate and your intention to provide additional recycling facilities; do keep us informed of both. A waste audit might also be undertaken to establish the volume of waste produced by the community with a view to devising strategies to reduce this.
Tidiness.
Well done on your initiative in compiling a report and submitting it to Kildare County Council local councillors and T.D’s on your goals for the upgrading of roads, footpaths and walkways within Bellmore Eustace. We wish you every success in the proposed remedial work for derelict buildings; it is good to note your awareness of these and your photographs of same. Do try and keep weed along curbs and at the base of walls to an absolute minimum.

Residential Areas.
The well maintained single story dwellings within the village are charming and the small estate located behind the church is neatly presented. It is good to note that a large number of properties still retain their traditional sash windows. We wish you every good luck with the Barrack Street development of town houses and other new residential development in respect of assimilating new residents into the social fabric of the community and of course involving them in the Tidy town’s initiative. Your plan for bilingual street names is noted.

Roads, Streets and Back Areas.
You are more aware than most communities of the work that needs to be accomplished under this heading for your lovely town, thank you both for the survey results and the photographs; we wish you success in having these problems addressed as they are part and parcel of your daily life in Ballymore Eustace. New footpaths were noted in some areas together with bollards. Hopefully the overhead service cables, particularly on the road from the Liffey Bridge to the church wall will be ducted in the not too distant future as it ahs a negative visual impact. The old nameplate at the school juction should be refurbished.
General Impression.
The overall appearance of Ballymore Eustace is favourable although your problems regarding roads and derelict buildings and vandalism are acknowledged and appreciated, no doubt the committee and other community groups will persevere with having these addressed.