Friday, August 19th, 2011

Stanton Pleased with Youghal Ambulance Talks

CORK EAST FINE GAEL TD, DAVID STANTON has said that the meeting which he arranged regarding Youghal ambulance which took place today with senior officials of the National Ambulance Service, public representatives, some GPs from Youghal was very constructive and informative for both sides. The meeting was also attended by Minister of State Sean Sherlock, Sandra McLellan TD, Cllr Barbara Murray and the Mayor of Youghal, Cllr Eoin Coyne.

Deep concern and unease has been expressed in Youghal and surrounding areas at reports that the ambulance service in the area would be downgraded.

“We had the opportunity today to express these concerns at the highest level and we received a full briefing from the HSE on their plans and changes that are being envisaged.

“There is certainly a need to ensure that the best possible and most appropriate emergency service is available. I welcome the fact that the HSE have promised to engage fully with local GPs and public representatives.

“Both sides today learned a lot from the engagement and I would hope that the discussion on the very complex issues involved will result in an improved service in the long run.

“There will be further meetings and engagement on this very important issue.

Over 120 people have attended a Youghal meeting opposing Cork County Council’s decision to grant sludge treatment plant Eras Eco Ltd permission to expand its operations towards processing hazardous waste.  The meeting pledged to contest the company’s licence application through a community-wide campaign. The proposed €10m upgrade at its Foxhole plant would allow treatment of toxic materials but the decision is currently under appeal to Bord Pleanala.

Quoting Eras Eco’s most recent environment report, meeting organiser Michelle Hennessy said 2009 saw over 40 level limit exceedances, including 36 Carbon Oxygen Demand (organic compounds) breaches plus exceedances in Biochemical Oxygen Demand, chemical gases, suspended solids, sulphate, ammonia and one cyanide, of which the  level limit is 0.01mg/l and an exceedances reached 0.033mg/l.

The EPA says just 11 Notifications of Non Compliance, have been issued since the plant commenced operations (in 2006 under AVR Environmental Solutions Ltd), three of which related to exceedances of licence limits,” and two to “odour assessments.”

The plant, which employs 10 workers and occupies a 35-year least from Youghal Town Council, was acquired by Eras Eco Ltd in 2008. Under its original planning permission, effluent discharge must be connected to a council-owned wastewater plant when it is in operation, though this awaits construction.

Last November the EPA forbade discharges into the estuary pending implementation of “a strict remedial action programme.” Eras Eco says it treats wastewater from the drying process through “a dedicated wastewater treatment plant on-site,” while the EPA says wastewater is “transported off-site.”

Local protestor Eileen McGoldrick has accused Cork County Council of “once again, regarding Youghal as just a dump.” Meanwhile Fine Gael TD for Cork East David Stanton said he was “very concerned” and would be “raising the issue at the highest level” in the Dail. “Companies must operate to the highest standards or be shut down,” he stated.

An Eras Eco spokesman says, “It is disappointing that misunderstanding of the implications of the proposed development is causing unnecessary anxiety,” adding that, “the proposed development involves the application of well-established, proven technology with excellent environmental credentials.”

He adds, “All exceedances of EPA emissions were minor” and the company “has never exceeded its total mass emission limits and progressively reduced our discharges since acquiring the site in 2009.”(sic).

Another public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday August 31st 2011.

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YOUGHAL ATHLETE AMANDA CROTTY is poised to become the town’s first ever Paralympic runner. The 26 year-old runner surpassed the 5.20 A-Standard Paralympic qualification time when, running in an otherwise non-disabled field, she recorded 5.17 minutes for the 1,500 metres at the National Championships in Santry on August 7th. In acquiring her A-Standard, Amanda knocked 13 seconds off her personal best.

Amanda, who has been visually impaired from birth, is the only female -and one of only three in total- amongst Ireland’s track and field considerations for the 2012 games. She is now considered certain to represent her country in London. As a visually impaired runner, she competes whilst tethered to a guide, who must always remain behind the athlete.

The youngest of three girls and one boy, Amanda took up athletics aged 10. Her sparkling career has brought honours galore. In her earlier years she “did everything,”  as she recalls and her wide-ranging abilities brought her county and Munster honours in shot put, discus and All-Ireland cross country. In 2001 she took bronze in the Blind Sports European Athletics Championship Penthatlon (100 metres, 800 metres, long jump, shot put and discus).

In 2007 she was named Ireland’s Blind Sports Athlete of the Year, winning gold in the 800m and 1,500m at the May Games International in Dublin, before taking 1,500m gold in the 4th International Athletics Meeting for the Disabled in Tunisia.

Articulate and cheerful as she is determined, the athlete became an Irish international in August 2010 and helped Ireland to bronze in the Dutch Open Championships last April. On August 19th she will represent her country in the Czech Open Championships in Prague.

Amanda, who hopes eventually to become a physical therapist, uses special software to read books on computer and to surf the internet. She has described her school life as having been, “tough at times as my sight depreciated. I still did sports, including hurling and football, but athletics was my favourite.”

The Youghal star trains almost daily, dividing her regime between Cork Institute of Technology’s track, UCC’s sports field or at the Youghal Athletic Club facility. She derives inspiration from Catherina McKiernan, whose tenacity she greatly admires. “Catherina finished fourth many times but never gave up trying to improve and got there. She sets a great example,” believes Amanda.

New coach

Amanda associates her current success with acquiring a new coach last February. Peter Maher, Irish born but a former Canadian Olympic marathon runner, changed her training practice to enhance her strength by longer runs, but also altered her mind-set.  “He kept insisting I had the ability but that had to believe,” says Amanda. “Then suddenly it all came together for me.”

Still on a high a week later, Santry brought a joyful day that will forever be etched in her memory. “My mum was there and there were so many hugs and congratulations, it was wonderful” she recalls. Being essentially a mainstream athletic event she was “absolutely delighted” when congratulations poured in from luminaries like Togher and internationally successful walker Rob Heffernan and his similarly esteemed wife Marian, a 400m runner.

Meanwhile in a middle distance Paralympic discipline “dominated by Russians,” Amanda “needs to be doing around 4.57 for medals,” while one Russian has clocked 4.40. “Peter says I can do 4.50 so who’s to doubt him?!”she smiles. Who doubts Amanda either?

Youghal’s first Montessori school will open in the coming weeks. Bee Happy, on the converted premises of the former Yew Tree bar, Tallow Street, was officially opened on Sunday by TV3 news and sports commentator Trevor Welch, whose sister Sharon is the teacher and talent behind the venture.

Sharon hails from Cork city but has been living in Youghal since 2000. Opening her new business brings the culmination of a dream and reflects on a wonderful empathy with children and an insightful appreciation of the charming world of childhood. Now 42, her journey to this juncture has been circuitous but perhaps inevitable.

A lover of travel, Sharon was 20 when she moved to Athens, taking a variety of jobs from bartender to tour guide, shop assistant and child minder across seven years. Three subsequent years in Jersey, Channel Islands, provided similar incursions.

Returning to Ireland in 2000, she obtained a degree in social science and a qualification in youth and community work. Her three year studies brought her work placements in Youghal Youthreach, Faranree Community  Development Project and a Ballyphehane Youth Development Project (over 7’s). She later worked on personal development programmes for young people, including the Garda Diversion programme, through Ogra Corcai.

Preschool

Part of a large family and often surrounded by young relatives, Sharon held a lifelong regard for children’s formative preschool years. This sparked a career change in 2008, with a Montessori course in Cork under the auspices of St. Nicholas College, Dublin. She emerged, delighted, with a diploma to work with 2½ to 6 year-olds, followed by a teaching post at Bramble Cottage Midleton, which she “found extremely enjoyable and rewarding.” She had found her vocation. Bramble Cottage closed (since re-opened) in 2010 but “with the help of the Cork Child Care Committee, I decided to open my own school,” she smiles. Tallow Street beckoned.

Sharon’s innate sensitivity affords her an invaluable ability to view the world from a child’s perspective. Deeply caring, conscientious and possessed of a highly playful sense of humour, she and Montessori were destined to merge. The double act can only bring benefit to her adopted town.

Crucial years

The Montessori methodology specialises in working with children on a one-to-one basis. “It allowing each child to learn at his/her own pace,” explains Sharon. “There is a strong emphasis on social skills and its holistic curriculum helps a child to develop socially, intellectually, emotionally and physically.”

She believes the relevance of this rounded approach extends far beyond childhood. “Any child psychologist –perhaps even common sense- will tell you that the first five or six years are the building blocks for a person’s life,” she explains. “These are highly impressionable, formative years that remain in the subconscious. Other factors will come into play through life but these years set the template.”

Montessori magic

Bee Happy has been renovated to match the needs. Pausing during the final touches to preparations, she demystifies some of the many paraphernalia on the premises. A ‘practical life’ section features variously designed plastic jars that “open and close to promote independence, confidence concentration and co-ordination, through transferring different contents.”

A small mirror, when polished, strengthens writing muscles, social skills will be encouraged across little tea sets, tactile senses promoted by matching various cloth materials with eyes closed, sand-surfaced letters will help developing minds to interpret and form letters. There is a culture area, where coded maps will inform her charges of the differences in people and places of the world around them, along with its seasons, creatures, etc. Books, sound boxes, toys, writing books, coloured pencils and endless hours…oh to be three again!

Seated at ‘circle time,’ children will “learn to ask questions and express themselves and also to listen while others do so,” advises the teacher. A speech therapist will also be available to facilitate development of language, literacy skills, attention and listening skills.  There is also an outdoor play area.  Each parent will receive an end of term progress report and each child provided with an end-of-year file.

Catering for a maximum of 20 children in time, the school will adhere to the HSE regulated ratio of one teacher per maximum of 10. The curriculum –practical life, sensorial, language, maths, history, geography, science, drama, arts & crafts- will address each child’s specific needs as they progress at their own pace.  The purpose and end result is to “learn and be happy,” concluded Sharon, in what might itself be considered a template for the adult world too.

Bee Happy will open on September 1st. Enrolments are still being taken. First sessions run from 9.15 am -12.15 am, Monday to Friday. Second sessions run 1 pm to 4 pm, all across 38 weeks and operating in conjunction with the primary school calendar. Enrolments accepted under the Government sponsored free pre-school year Early Child Care Education (ECCE) scheme.  Free summer camp at year end. Further details, costs etc., from Sharon on 087-6732574. Visits welcome.

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The Youghal Baptist church will hold its third annual Soccer Camp at Youghal United’s Ardrath Park base from Monday August 22nd to Wednesday 25th.  The camp will be run in partnership with Coaching4Christ, (C4C) a Christian ministry formed in 2004 and whose mission, as described on its website is “to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the many thousands who love or have an interest in the game of football.”

Nine qualified soccer coaches attached to the ministry will help soccer enthusiastic children of both genders to improve their skills, with 15 minutes of Gospel sessions included in each coaching session. Youghal Baptist Church minister Mervyn Scott stresses that the coaches bring fully qualified coaching credentials to their work. “The children can expect a fun social occasion as well as improving their football abilities,” he explains, adding that, “Over the past two years they have earned a reputation for their friendliness and professionalism. Their return is eagerly anticipated by all who have attended previously.”

There will be two daily training sessions, from 10.30 am-12.30 pm (7-11 year-olds) and 2.30 pm-4.30 pm (12-14 year-olds). Cost totals €10 per child, with no charge for third and subsequent children (in genuine cases!). “We are very grateful to Youghal United AFC for the kind use of their excellent facilities,” concludes the minister. Maradona, the Argentinian who famously (or infamously for England fans) punched the ball past Peter Shilton in the 1986 World Cup quarter final, would surely approve!

Information/application forms: www.youghalbaptist.ie for more information or call Seth Lewis on 083-3491176.

An independent non-profit survey by YoughalOnline.com, not affiliated with any other bodies. Feedback was anonymous. No fields were mandatory. This survey ran from July 21st to the 5th August 2011. The following results were published on YoughalOnline.com 19th August 2011.

YoughalOnline.com would like to thank all who contributed to this survey. We hope the survey results will help all Youghal businesses and organisations with future planning of festivals and events etc.
Queen of The Sea Festival 2011 – Online Survey Results

 

Youghal Community bus has extended its Thursday/Friday service to Monday to Saturday. The new schedule begins as a pilot service and will be re-assessed after two months. “Thursdays & Fridays are very popular but we think the need is there for a much broader service,” says Community Bus PRO John Cunningham, announcing the scheme.

The bus, with wheelchair facility, operates a door-to-door service for those over 60 or anyone who is physically or non-physically incapacitated. Passengers summon the bus simply by ringing either the driver’s service number or Cumann na Daoine.

Operating within the three-mile town boundary, it is essentially a free service though a €2 donation per journey is recommended and generally accepted. “But anyone declining or unable to contribute is still welcome,” says Community Bus Treasurer Leslie Godfrey.

Cumann na Daoine launched the service in 2009 as a hired bus under the auspices of hackney and bus operator John Long.  A year later, St Mary’s Senior Citizens Group in Knockaheeny donated a bus to the group, enabling it to strive and thrive more independently. However “it costs over €7,000 to maintain the bus, exclusive of any extra costs such as emergency driver cover,” says John.  “We rely almost totally on fundraising and donations and Youghal people have been brilliant to us, ” he adds.

FAS currently funds the Thursday & Friday drivers but volunteer drivers with appropriate qualifications, are always needed, particularly given the new, extended hours. Equally volunteers are sought for the crucial role of ‘driver companions’ to assist passengers and the smooth running of the service.

Today the community bus has over 150 registered clients, many of whom would reside in the upper reaches of Youghal’s hills and inclines. “The vast majority use it for shopping but there are also visits to the family, doctor appointments, library service, swimming pool, beach, park, etc.,” Leslie reflects.

‘Not a hackney alternative’

‘One hackney operator recently criticised the bus’s negative impact on the hackney trade, particularly in austere times. Leslie accepts that “some impact was inevitable” but stresses that the service was “never intended as a rival to anyone and we don’t want to engage in any dispute over it.” She believes that most users would be in the low income bracket and use the bus because it is economical.

Leslie’s point is supported by Community Bus Vice-chair Bree Browne, a sprightly, widowed pensioner with two knee replacements.  “I live at the top of Windmill Hill,” she says, “My late husband used to drive us, but now I couldn’t afford to come down town without the bus. It’s a huge asset to pensioners. I’d still rather be 40 and use hackneys and any other suggestion is ridiculous,” she adds.

Leslie is reluctant to create ripples with any other service provider but she does feel that most bus passengers would previously have been reliant on family members for transport, shopping, etc. and so the loss to the hackney industry would be relatively small. She further accredits “the social aspect” as a string inducement to bus passengers who simply might otherwise not leave their homes much at all.

Addressing the issue of verification, which has also been questioned, Leslie says “a certain degree of trust is involved” when people complete the application form detailing their credentials. “We issue membership cards to our members, most of whom we would know anyway. We ask that the card be produced on boarding the bus and if here is doubt about someone and they don’t have the card, they are not allowed on. We have refused people to board.”

The new Community Bus timetable is as follows: Mon-Tuesday-Wednesday: 9.30am-2pm; Thursday:  9.30am-5pm; Friday: 10am-5pm; Saturday: 10am-2pm. Bookings/Calls on (024) 91900 (weekday working hours) or 087-1759555. “When possible, we’d ask people to book a day or night in advance,” advises John Cunningham. The bus does not run on bank holidays.

The Youghal Concerned Citizens (YCC) group advanced several schemes during its August meeting in the Red Store. Amongst the issues discussed were:

Mackerel Food Festival: With chief protagonist and marketing consultant Tim Magee temporarily absent, Norman McDonald said the event remained on schedule for Barry’s Lane on Saturday August 27th.  “People are working on it and the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is very kindly assisting with advertising,” he added.

The mini-festival will include food stalls and associated attractions, including music (probably courtesy of Foróige). Permits will be provided for authentic stall operators to discourage unofficial hawkers and the like, who will be moved on by gardaí. Local restaurants are committed to participating in an event where mackerel dishes of various ingenuity and preparation will be celebrated and, doubtlessly, consumed. Three cases of the tabby-grey creatures have already been pledged, while hopefully their living cousins will honour the occasion with their presence in the nearby waters.

A plan remains to entice former Loreto students –of whom the class of ’91 is holding a reunion on the same date- to swim amongst in the dock. It’s unclear as to the link between former Loreto girls and gutted mackerel other than possibly some shoals of young males would have had their dreams ‘gutted’ by the said ladies in times past. No matter, when it comes to marketing Youghal any depths –literally- are fathomable!

Not forgetting Halloween…

Secretary Adrian Hyde reminded that “all out festivals are intended to promote Youghal.” While the mackerel version would promote its seafood and maritime culture, the proposed Halloween festival would focus on the town’s history and heritage in a family-friendly way, during the relatively stagnant business period before Christmas. Traders would hopefully help create an ambience and a letter being circulated would detail some “fairly simple” and inexpensive requirements, such as dressing oneself windows appropriately, etc.

So far, the proposed Halloween schedule included a headless horseman appearing randomly in the town, a Halloween themed parade, replicas of torture machines, pumpkin, spot-the-ghost competitions and storytelling for children at historic venues, Youghal Haloween tours, fortune telling, adults fancy dress competition, volunteers in Halloween type dress greeting visitors, Halloween themed restaurant food, etc. A festival committee was currently deliberating on the ideas. A themed Christmas was being considered on similar lines. Chairman Jim Flanagan said there seemed generally to be public belief in both.

Clean Up Your Area:

Jim lanagan said it was time to establish a date for a previously devised ‘clean up your area’ initiative. The first week in September was the deemed most suitable time, ideally in tandem with the Tidy Town’s committee. Further details will be forthcoming.

The 49 Steps:

The secretary said the onus was now on the YCC to furnish insurance and a health and Safety clearance statement, which volunteer workman Kieran Dennehy was organising. Meanwhile the town engineer would shortly forward the work specifications and thereafter the remedial  work required to re-open the steps  would commence.

Application for inclusion in Feargal Quinn’s town regeneration project for RTE television:

Youghal’s bid had failed but hopes remain that it may still be included amongst “ancillary pieces” attached to the series.

Dog Litter:

Jim Flanagan said the feedback was very positive on the efforts to counteract dog litter. Increased signage was needed on the North Main Street however, as “the dogs don’t seem to be reading them!” Lil Dann observed. Anti -dog litter signs are available from the town hall on request for residents associations, etc. From the floor, consultation was sought with the relevant local authority regarding a dog warden to deal with stray dogs, especially on estates.

Tour Buses:

Jim Flanagan noted that coaches previously stopping for half an hour were are now dallying for up to three hours following the persistent efforts of Norman McDonald and Cliff Windsor (in costume) to greet tour parties and to negotiate with drivers and tour operators.

Norman McDonald said he had secures a visiting convoy of nine buses, bearing 500 passengers, from a cruise liner docking at Cobh on both Thursday August 18th and Tuesday September 6th. He requested (and has since received) volunteers to assist with greeting the visitors and advised that a good impression would almost certainly usher Youghal onto future liner excursions. Plans would be fashioned to make the new visitors’ visit informative and memorable.

Fishing Brochure, Sludge Treatment, Old Railway Station, Traffic Warden, Green Park:

Norman McDonald complained that Youghal was absent from the annual Bord Fáilte Munster fishing guide. “The Blackwater seemingly doesn’t exist in Youghal!”, he fumed. A delegation is to be dispatched to Fáilte Ireland. There was no update as yet from the Chamber regarding its appeal to An Bord Pleanála against Cork County Council’s planning permission for an extension to facilitate the treatment of toxic waste. Irish Rail/CIE has erected new fencing and tidied the area somewhat but more needed to be done. It was requested that the town clerk be asked to clarify the status of traffic warden duties as private vehicles were now regularly occupying loading bays. An update was sought also on the plans for the imminent resurfacing of the main road. The meeting ended with a request that the town clerk also provide an update on “the situation regarding the fountain in Green Park” as there third parties “interested in restoring it.” Norman McDonald was curious as to the whereabouts of the swans that once silently awaited water in the neglected structure.

The Beach:

A YCC Seaside committee were currently compiling proposal for toilets, showers and casual trading licences. Funding of €197,000 for the Youghal Town Council section (Front strand to Claycastle car park) had been acquired from Failte Ireland and work was expected to commence next spring. Cork County Council had still not acquired funding from the same source, to extend the facility as far as Redbarn. The plan is on display on the left of town hall entrance.

Clock Gate:

The chairman said he understood that feasibility and conservation studies having been completed, the town council were seeking funding to undertake the restoration and transformation of the structure. Norman McDonald proposed the group ask that it be opened for the mackerel food fest, as was facilitated during the Queen of the Seas event.

Thanks Janice, Thanks Frank:

Adrian Hyde thanked Janice O’Leary for her on-going project in researching and providing more representative and better quality photographs of Youghal for posting on travel sites. Frank Murphy was thanked for his contribution in signage building and other works associated with YCC projects.

Community Bus:

In the light of comments recently aired in the Youghal News, Tony Phelan stressed that the bus service is a “voluntary, non-profit making” enterprise that does not intend to compete with anyone. “Everything is run above board and anyone without a membership card is not allowed on board,” he proceeded. He thanked the YCC for assisting in the recruitment of two voluntary female driver companions, adding that two Suas (Educational development) workers were also being recruited. He said the service was about to be expanded (see elsewhere in this issue) and will operate in conjunction with the town health centre. He spoke briefly of an elderly woman whose life quality had been immensely enhanced by the bus service. “That’s basically what it’s all about,” he concluded.

The next Youghal, Concerned Citizens meeting is on September 1st in the Red Store, at 7.30 pm.

date  18th August 2011 – Statement from the Department of Education and Skills

No decisions whatsoever have been taken in relation to changing the school going age of children or abolishing the transition year. Today’s article in the Irish Independent is based on historic documents that were obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.  They relate to options put forward by the Department of Education as part of the Estimates process under the previous Fianna Fail/Green government.

The article is not based on current proposals by the Department of Education and Skills as part of the Comprehensive Expenditure Review.

Work on the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) is currently ongoing across all government departments, including the Department of Education and Skills. Under the CRE all areas of public expenditure are subject to scrutiny.

The CRE will be a critical building block in formulating Government’s budgetary policy for 2012 and beyond and the results of the Comprehensive Review process will be brought before Government for consideration and decision in the Budget and Estimates process later this year.

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR THIS SPELLBINDING TANGO PERFORMANCE!
The Mall Arts Centre, Youghal – Thursday 18th August at 7.30pm
Tickets Available on the door or contact us on: 083-3606507 or themallartscentre@gmail.com
Tickets: 18 euro / 15 euro for OAPs and students

This summer, the Argentinean/Dutch tango ensemble, Tango Extremo, will tour Ireland from 18 to 21 August 2011 for the very first time. During their visit, the group will present their latest theatre programme entitled ‘Viva la Vida!’. This Argentine tango show will entice you to a sultry and sleepless Buenos Aires.

Where and when?

August 18 The Mall Arts Centre  Youghal  www.themallartscentre.com

August 19 The White Horse  Ballincollig  www.whitehorse.ie

August 20 International Tango Festival  Dublin  www.tangofever.net

August 21 National Concert Hall   Dublin  www.nch.ie

Tango Extremo

Since its founding in 2003, Tango Extremo has undergone remarkable development. Besides being a familiar scene on most concert stages in The Netherlands, the group has travelled far and wide, bringing the seductive rhythms and alluring melodies to crowds all over the world.

Among the countries they have performed recently are Belgium, Botswana, China, Croatia, France, Greenland, Iceland, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, UK, and Uruguay.

In August 2009, Tango Extremo was invited to perform as a special guest at the prestigious Buenos Aires Tango Festival in Argentina.

With four albums under their belt, Quinteto Extremo are one of the most original and fascinating ensembles of the Netherlands. The quintet’s members (prestigious teachers of the conservatories of Rotterdam and The Hague and renowned musicians of the European jazz scene) have adopted tango as a language from a personal perspective, and in order to do so, numerous composers of that country write and arrange specially for them. The deep technical command of their instruments, the creative freedom and the natural balance between improvisation and written music are some of the hallmarks of their music. Born years ago as an experiment of lively virtuoso artists with a vast career in the local scene, Quinteto Extremo grew to become a very successful ensemble to be appearing for the first time in the River Plate area. Line up: Tanya Schaap (violin and artistic director), Ben van den Dungeon (soprano saxophone), Rob van Kreeveld (piano), Hans van der Maas (accordion) and Stefan Lievestro (double bass).For more information about the ensemble, please refer to the following websites:

www.tangoextremo.com
www.myspace.com/quintetotangoextremo