Bridge News.
The Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club meet each Monday night in Ballyduff N.S hall. The results are as follows:
1st: Joan Hartley and Mary O Brien.
2nd: Geraldine McMahon and Celia Nugent.
3rd: Anne Kennedy and Aileen Stephenson.
4th: Nano Fitzgerald and Kate Hayes.
Parent and Toddler Group.
Our local Parent and Toddler group meet every Friday morning in Ballyduff Community Centre from 9.30am to 11.30am. All babies toddlers and preschoolers are welcome along with their parents, grandparent, childminder or guardian. I cannot stress how beneficial this group is and has been to both adults and children. It is a wonderful way for parents and guardians to get to know each other and chat with people in a similiar situation. And of course the children have an absolutely ball playing and chatting and meeting their future schoolmates. Drop in enjoy a relaxing cuppa and a chat while the children play happily while developing important social skills
World Day of the Sick.
Monday February 11th is the Feast of our Lady of Lourdes and also World Day of the Sick and there will be a special mass in Ballyduff on Monday morning at 10am with a special blessing for the sick. Now remember that we are all sick from time to time so we are all eligible to receive this blessing. Please come along and may I please suggest that if you are in a position to offer a neighbour or friend a lift then please do so.
GAA News
The club would like to say a big thank you to all who showed up for the first night of their Ireland lights up walking campaign in conjunction with Operation Transformation. This was a great evening for the club and the community and it was lovely to spot all the local faces on the telly. The cameras are gone now but the club will still open up their facilities every Thursday night at 7pm until February 21st. So come along and enjoy a healthy walk, a chat and a laugh in a safe environment.
The Juvenile section of the club will host a meeting for all coaches from the U17 group down in the dressing rooms on Tuesday January 29th at 7.30pm. This meeting is to discuss plans for the year ahead and also to meet with John Quinn of Waterford Coaching and Go Games. If you are not already involved but are interested in helping out come along and talk to the club. New members and coaches are always welcome.
Lourdes Application
Each year our parish offers to send two people to Lourdes as part of the Waterford and Lismore Diocesan Pilgrimage and this year is no exception. If you would like to nominate someone to go please contact John O Leary, Eugene Power, Donal Daly or Noel O Sullivan before February 17th.
Off To The Canaries.
Have you booked your ticket for this years production from Dawn Players Drama Group yet. Well your time is almost up! The group will take to the stage in Ballyduff NS school hall from Wednesday January 30th to Saturday February 2nd at 8pm nightly. This years production “The Canaries” is an hilarious comedy and will most definetely cheer up those January blues. To book a ticket please contact myself Linda on 087 6051309 and enjoy a great nights entertainment.
Text Alert Payment.
Our local community alert group operate a fantastic text alert scheme which sends a text to all its members if there is suspicious activity or sightings within their surrounding areas. It is also a very efficient way of informing people of roadworks or road closures or dangerous weather conditions within the area. The simple fee of just €5 covers your entry for the year and this is now due. If you would like to renew your membership you can bring your €5 along to the next meeting on Tuesday February 26th at 8pm in Ballyduff Community Centre or if you are interested in adding your number to the list please contact myself as Secretary of the group. My number is 087 9838392.
The group would like to say a huge thank you to all who attended the January meeting. It was great to see such large numbers turn up to hear Mr. John Lonergan, former Governor of Mount Joy speak. All agreed that he gave a very interesting speech and we were delighted to be able to host him here in our local area. The community alert group is for all in the community and we hope to see you all at our next meeting also on February 26th. Watch this space for details.
Munster Champion.
We send our heartiest congratulations to Gortaclode lad Scott Searson as he took a Munster Championship medal as part of the U15 Waterford Development squad recently. Waterford oversaw Cork 3-2 to take the title. Scott is a very talented goalie and player and it was very easy to see that he was born to play soccer from a very young age. The passion and dedication he puts into the game is evident to all and it is wonderful to see his efforts being rewarded. Of course he has a great supporters club with his parents Shay and Edel and sister Amber supporting him all the way. I’m pretty sure though that it would be hard to beat the pride of his Grandad the great Jimmy Searson in Ferrybank as he sees his grandson enjoy and excel in a sport he has lived and breathed all his life.
Ballyduff Youth Drama
Ballyduff Youth Drama is made up of students from 5th and 6th classes and they extend a warm invitation to you to come along into a world of pure imagination as they present their production of Alice in La La Land. The play revolves around a young girl called Alice who loves to sing and dance especially when she is supposed to be doing her homework. She escapes to La La Land and makes friends with the Mad Hatter and they head off on a wild adventure meeting many strange creatures and people along the way. I even hear on the grapevine that the King Elvis will be dropping in. The show will take place on Friday February 15th and Saturday February 16th at 8pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. Tickets cost just €10 and are available at rehearsals on Monday nights or by contacting Eleanor on 087 4046904. Please come along and support this wonderful group of young people and the fantastic volunteers who run this each year.
Birthday Lady
We extend our warmest birthday wishes to Nancy Aulsberry, Matthews Cross who celebrated her 90th birthday recently. Nancy celebrated the occasion surrounded by her sons and daughters and extended family. We hope Nancy had a wonderful day and we wish her many more happy and healthy birthdays to come.