EAST-WEST
With Chris Fingleton
MEMBERS of Baltinglass Lions Club spread Christmas cheer throughout the town last week when they presented a cheque for €3,000 to the local hospital. The winner of a new bicycle, Mary Farrell, was also presented with her prize after her name came out of the hat following the successful fundraising event, the Tour of the Falling Leaves, which was held earlier this year.
Mary received the bicycle from Lions Club member Arthur Gillespie, a director of SuperValu in Baltinglass, who sponsored the prize.
Baltinglass Lions president Canon Mervyn McCullagh presented the proceeds of the fundraiser to Carol Gannon, acting director of nursing at Baltinglass Hospital. Baltinglass Lions Club recently held its annual Christmas appeal, proceeds of which will be distributed to local charities.
Making Baltinglass a better place
BALTINGLASS and District Forum, which strives for the broadest possible inclusion of all members of the community, held its annual general meeting recently. Highlighted were the various steps achieved during the year. These included maintaining the Baltinglass website and facilitating the initial steps towards setting up the first responders, a team of volunteers that will provide emergency medical care for those suffering a heart attack, cardiac arrest or breathing difficulties.
The group also successfully encouraged the support of businesses by placing the new ‘Shop Local’ signs at the entrances to Baltinglass to remind people of the need to protect local jobs. Another project undertaken was the development of a new riverside walking trail in partnership with Baltinglass Town Park. Work is currently being carried out by the Baltinglass Community Employment Scheme, and the project should be completed by the spring.
The forum has been meeting on the first Thursday of the month. To make it easier for more people to attend, it has been decided to change the meetings to the second Monday of the month, effective from January.
And organisations in the community are invited to nominate representatives to serve on the forum. Local people who are technologically-minded with experience of web design or maintenance are asked to e-mail info@baltinglass.ie. Anyone in the Baltinglass, Grangecon, Stratford or Bigstone areas is also welcome to come along and observe the meetings.