GAA Lotto.
The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 1, 4, 7 and 17 and there was no jackpot winner. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Rachael Meaney, Mary Mulhall and David Power. The next draw will take place on July 30th and there will be a fantastic jackpot of €7,700. Tickets cost just €2 or 3 for €5 and will be on sale on Saturday July 29th at Centra.

Marriage Celebrations.
Love is certainly in the air as two local couples celebrate wedding anniversaries. Billy and Noreen Tubbritt recently celebrated 50 years of wedded bliss. Any of you who know this lovely couple will know that they are indeed a match made in heaven and are cerainly a fabulous example to all. The happy couple celebrated with a lovely meal with their beloved family and a great night was had. We wish them both every happiness in the future.
Local couple Alan and Jenny Dempsey , Amberhill celebrated 25 years of marriage in recent days too. They celebrated in style I heard tales of jacuzzis and champagne. We hope they both enjoyed their celebrations and that they will enjoy many more years of good health and happiness.

Charity Day.
On Saturday July 29th, Fairbrook House and Gardens in Kilmeaden will host an open day with all proceeds going to the local Waterford and Lismore Branch of The Irish Guide Dogs. This is an unique opportunity to visit these beautiful gardens with its atmosphere of mystery and wonder. Laid out among the ruins of the former Fairbrook mill it is an ideal place to sit on the terraces and enjoy a cuppa. Unfortunately the gardens are not accessible to wheelchairs, buggies and walking frames and no dogs are allowed except for guide dogs.
The gardens will open from 2pm to 5pm. Admission is €5 or €10 for a family. Children under 12 go free and remember all proceeds go to the local branch of the Irish Guide Dogs.

Tractor Run
The Kilmeaden Vintage Tractor Club held their 10th annual tractor run on Sunday July 16th. They really pulled out all the stops to make their 10th year a memorial run. Almost 100 tractors took part and then it was back to Haughtons for entertainment for all the family. The Birds Of Prey and Old Time Threshing kept young and old enthralled and the enticing smell of the barbeque had everyone queuing up for some of the delicious food. Of course the day was really topped off by the glorious sunshine and Haughtons was the perfect venue to sit out and enjoy the sounds of our very own Mr.Sunshine, the great John O Shea. It really was a most enjoyable day and great credit must go to the organising committee who stage this event each year in aid of The Solas Centre. They have raised a lot of vital funding over the years for this service which is of utmost importance not only to sufferers of cancer but to their families too.

Recent Deaths
We extend our deepest sympathies to Eamonn Reade, Cullinagh on the recent death of his beloved mother Eileen. Eileen resided in the family home in Kingsmeadow all her life but spent the last few years of her life in Maypark Nursing Home where she was very happy. Eileens funeral mass took place in St.Pauls church. May she rest in peace.
Our area was numbed with grief upon hearing of the death of Helen Raher, Carrickphilip especially as it so soon after the death of her beloved son Michael. We can only offer our prayers and comfort to all the Raher family as they try to come to terms with such great loss. We know that just as in life Helen and Michael will take care of each other. May they rest in peace.
Fun Run/Walk
A reminder that Friday August 11th is the date set for the annual 5 mile Liz Hayes memorial fun run/walk. Walkers will set off from Ballyduff Village at 6.45pm while the runners will get going at 7.30pm. Entry is €10 and €5 for students and juniors. West Waterford AC will once again kindly look after the race timing and our own John O Shea will keep everyone motivated and entertained with a great selection of music. Following the run/walk there will be a fine display of refreshments on offer back at the community centre before the prize giving takes place.

Annual Fun Run/Walk
The Liz(Eilis) Hayes Memorial 5 mile run/walk will take place this year on Friday August 11th. Beginning in Ballyduff Village the walkers will head off at 6.45pm and the runners will be off at 7.30pm. Entry will be €10 and €5 for students and juniors. There will be cash prizes on offer for the first three males and females home and also for the first male and female home in the Over 40’s and 50’s section.Prizes will also be presented to the first male and female junior home and lots of spot prizes on offer along the way too. The first male and female home will also have the honour of lifting the Liz Hayes Memorial Trophy.
The good people at West Waterford AC will once again look after the race timings. John O Shea will be on hand to provide musical entertainment and after the race there will be the usual vast array of refreshments on offer back at the community centre before the presentation of prizes.
This annual community event is held in memory of Liz Hayes a lady whose whole life revolved around helping her community so in her honour come out and support this event. Even if you are unable to take part, cheerleaders are always wanted.

Newcastle Mass
The annual graveyard mass in Newcastle cemetery will take place on Monday August 21st at 7.30pm. Many of our ancestors are buried in this cemetery and it is a beautiful spot to visit. There will be the usual faith walk to the mass which will leave from Ballyduff church at 6.30pm and walk to Newcastle graveyard in memory of our ancestors who walked to mass each week.

Golf Classic

A reminder that Ballyduff AFC will host a golf classic in Waterford Golf Club on July 21st and 22nd. A team of four costs €120 which includes a meal. Teams who entered last year will be allocated the same tee times. If you would like some more information please contact Paddy on 087-2764883 or Noel on 086-3766541.

Recent Bereavements
We extend our deepest sympathies to the Nolan Family, Ballyduff Village on the recent death of their beloved sister Mary. Mary Roberts was brought home from Wales to be laid to rest in her native place, in fact in the field where she used to play as a young girl. Her family made sure everything was in place for a beautiful mass and burial. We hope that the family can draw peace from the knowledge that she is now at peace,home where she wanted to be. May the gentle soil of Ballyduff lay on her and may she now enjoy the beauty and splendour of Gods kingdom.
We also offer our sincere sympathy also to Aedin Foran, Ballyduff Village on the recent death of her mother. Maire Eachthigheirn lived in Newrath and her funeral mass and burial took place in Ferybank. We hope that her family will find comfort in the coming months in the wonderful memories they have. Ar Dheis De Go Raibh Si.

Help Needed
Ballyduff AFC have made great strides in recent years in girls football. They would really like to build on this and would like to enter an Under 14 team next season. To do this however they need help, at least two people are needed to run the team and they will be given every assistance possible from the club. If this is something that you think you can help with please contact Paddy on 087-2764883. Watching the younger teams on the way up there is plenty of talent around and so it would be a shame to see that talent wasted, so if you can help please contact Paddy.

Your Notes
If you want to let people know about what is going on within your club or organisation or indeed have a happy occasion to share please contact me and we can do this through these weekly notes. Remember that for a lot of people the weekly notes may be their only contact with community life and these notes are uploaded each week to our parish website which is viewed by many parishioners now living elsewhere. If you would like me to include an item for you please contact me Linda Spillane on 087-9838392, spillanelinda2017@gmail.com or indeed drop into me or give me a shout if you see me out and about.

Graveyard Mass.

Our annual graveyard mass took place last Wednesday evening and thank God the weather was kind to us. It was great to see such crowds come together to remember all those buried in our graveyard. A big thank you to all who helped arrange the mass and all those who took part in it. A great crowd visited our community centre after the mass and enjoyed a cuppa and some lovely refreshments. It was a fantastic opportunity for people to enjoy a chat with people they hadn’t seen in a while. May I personally thank all the people who baked and donated cakes, buns and biscuits and a huge thank you to the wonderful group of ladies who helped me set up the hall, serve the teas and food and clean up after. This was another great community effort.

GAA Lotto
The four lucky numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 2, 12, 13 and 18 but there was no winner of he jackpot. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Carmel Lynch, Nano Fitzgerald and Seamus Connolly. The next lotto draw will take place on July 16th and will have a staggering jackpot of €7,550. Tickets cost just €2 or 3 for €5 and will be on sale at Centra on Saturday July 15th. Choose those four numbers very carefully and you could be booking that holiday or off on that spending spree.

Bridge News.

The Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club had their Summer party last Monday night by having a lovely meal at the Sweep Bar and Restaurant. Folowing the meal they played their weekly game of bridge and the results are as follows:
1st: Anna Harney and Peggy Murphy
2nd: Mary O Brien and Ann Tobin.
3rd: Ann Marie Brown and Barbara Cunningham
4th: Kate Hayes and Mary Kennedy.
5th: Breda Cowman and Celia Nugent.
6th: Margaret White and Elizabeth Mooney.

Newcastle Mass.

The annual cemetery mass in Newcastle graveyard will be celebrated on Monday August 21st at 7.30pm. I will have more details for you in the coming weeks but mark the date in your diary and spread the word.

Tractor Run.
The annual tractor run hosted by Kilmeaden Vintage Tractor club is always a much looked forward to event. This year is the 10th year of this and a great day is planned to celebrate this milestone. On Sunday July 16th at 1.30pm sharp the tractor run will depart from Haughtons and will head off on a shorter than normal route within the parish of Ballyduff. On their return to Haughtons the celebrations will begin. Well known D.J supreme John O Shea will entertain the crowds with music for all ages. The Mayfield Birds of Prey will also be on display and displays of old time threshing will keep you enthralled. You are bound to work up an appetite with all this going on but don’t worry the barbeque will me fired up and I have no doubt that Gerry and Margaret will help you find something to wash it down with to! This promises to be a great day and there will be lots to keep young and old happy. If you would like to take part or need more information, the man with all the knowledge is Pat Fitzgerald and you can reach him on 087-2216589.
Of course not only is this day about having fun it also raises money for a very important charity, The Solas Centre. You don’t need me to tell you about the vital and important services The Solas Centre provides and like all good charities they rely mostly on the generosity of others to keep these services running. The tractor run has raised €43,000 over the past 9 years for the centre so please be as generous as possible to the collectors on the day. Hope to see you all there.

Golf Classic
Ballyduff AFC will host a golf classic in Waterford Golf Club on July 21st and 22nd . A team of 4 will cost €120 including a meal. Teams who entered last year will be allocated the same tee times. If you are interested in entering a team or finding out more information please contact Paddy on 087-2764883 or Noel on 086-3766541.

Bridge News
The Ballyduff/Portlaw Bridge Club held their latest game on June 26th and the results were:

1st: Patsy Roche and Kathleen Collins.
2nd: William and Ann Tobin.
3rd: Anne Cox and Mary O Brien.
4th: Sean Hennessy and Kate Hayes.

Graveyard Mass.
Our annual graveyard mass will take place this Wednesday July 5th at 7.30pm. Please spread the word to people outside of the parish who may have relatives or friends buried in the graveyard. Please remember if you are tidying up your family grave, could you bring home any rubbish or old flowers. With everyone working together that is how we keep our graveyard looking so well.
Following the mass there will be a cuppa and some refreshmentsfor everyone in the community centre and all are welcome to come along and meet old friends and new. If you would like to donate some buns or a cake for this occasion please contact me Linda Spillane on 087-9838392.

Schools Out For Summer
The pupils and staff of Ballyduff N.S began their school holidays on Wednesday last and we wish each and every one of them a very happy and safe Summer. I attended their final assembly of the year and it was lovely to see 20+ children receive their full attendance certs, there was also presentation of medals for the basketball team and the hurlers. All the members of 4th class also received individual cert for taking part in the write a book project. Of course we say a big good luck to our 6th class pupils who now head off to their chosen secondary school and we know that they will do themselves and their school proud. They each received a red hoodie with the names of their class mates printed on it which they took pride in wearing. It is hard to believe that another school year has passed and we look forward to a nice relaxing and hopefully hot Summer.

Tidy Towns
Our Tidy Towns committee are doing a fabulous job around Ballyduff and Kilmeaden. Grass areas are kept clean and cut, flowers are planted and rubbish is picked. If you think you would like to get involved and give a little time to your community please come along to the next tidy towns meeting which will be held on Thursday July 6th at 7.30pm in the community centre.

Fundraiser For Hospice.

Tricia Shannon would like to say a huge thank you on behalf of The Hospice to all who supported her recent bucket collection at Centra on Friday June 23rd. €1068.03 was collected locally at Centra and then along with two other members of Walking Waterford and Beyond walking club they raised a whopping €2581.51 by walking the Waterford Viking Marathon. Tricia completed the marathon in 6 hours 15 mins. A big thank you again to all who supported this cause.

Youth Drama
Ballyduff Youth Drama are pleased to announce that they will stage another production for 2018. Rehearsals will begin in September and end in early February. The group caters for children from 5th and 6th class and they dont need to be from Ballyduff N.S ,all are welcome from the area and surrounding areas. Places are limited so if your child is interested or you need further information please contact Helen on 087-6493657.

Tractor Run.
It’s hard to believe that it is July already and so it is almost time for the much looked forward to Tractor Run hosted annually by The Kilmeaden Vintage Club. Can you believe that this is the 10th year of the run and the club are planning to celebrate in style. The run will take place this year on Sunday July 16th and will leave from Haughtons taking in a shorter route this year within the parish of Ballyduff. The run is not just for vintage tractors but new tractors are also welcome. At the finish line back at Haughtons there will be fun for all the family with old time threshing and The Mayfield Birds of Prey and of course the usual delicious barbeque. WLR’s John O Shea will be there to keep everyone entertained.
As usual all proceeds will go to The Solas Centre who are always sograteful for the support they receive. In the past 9 years the tractor run has raised over €43,000 for The Solas Centre so if you would like to know more please contact Pat Fitzgerald on 087-221658.