Community Alert.
Our local community alert group held their latest meeting on Wednesday April 1st at 8pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. There was a very interesting presentation from Martin Halley from ALONE. He spoke of the wonderful services they provide for the older people of our communities and those who feel lonely and isolated. They can provide practical help such as applications for grants, ensuring they are receiving their full entitlements or simply a phone call or visit from one of their volunteers for a cuppa and a chat or a walk. They are appealing for volunteers who could an hour or two to visit someone in their home.
Following several burglaries in surrounding areas, local Gardaí gave an update on happenings and some advice on how to keep our homes and businesses safe. This will be the last meeting before the long evenings, and it is important to heed the advice and tips as to how to keep our properties safe. The Gardai encouraged people to report any suspicious vehicles or activity in their areas and to keep an eye on their vulnerable neighbours.
Although the Community Alert group will now take a break from meetings, they will remain active throughout the Summer months and will continue to send out text alert messages. We thank the committee of Jay Dowdall, MJ Healy and Chris Pragnell for the time and effort they give to the group.
Smart Phone and Device Classes.
Kilmeaden Community Network Group will join with WWETB to offer some free Smart Phone and other devices classes. These classes will look at online activity, email, WhatsApp, messaging, using apps and much more. The classes will take place in Ballyduff Community Centre and dates will be decided once interest is gauged. To express your interest please contact Tricia Shannon on 087 2979332, email kilmeadencommunitynetwork@outlook.ie or contact any of the community network committee.
Ballyduff AFC
The club have released dates and details about their Easter and Summer Camps so check out details on their Facebook page.
Check out the club’s Facebook page for details of how to join the club’s monthly development draw. Kathleen Harris was the lucky winner in February. All money raised goes towards the fantastic development plans.
Church News
Some important dates coming up in our church are Saturday May 2nd when the young boys and girl of our parish will make their First Holy Communion and on Tuesday June 2nd our young men and women will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Choir practice takes place every Wednesday evening at 8pm in the church and new members are always welcome.
A big thank you to all who took part in the Holy Week and Easter ceremonies. Thank you to Christy O Keeffe for providing the palm for Palm Sunday. Thank you to all the readers and volunteers who made the ceremonies so special. Thank you to our parish choir who enhanced the ceremonies with their beautiful hymns and music. A big thank you to our wonderful sacristan Ann who always has our church looking so beautiful.
The Easter collection for the support of the priests of the parish is now been taken up.
The St. Nicholas Church Renovation committee have launched phase 2 of their renovation plans .The committee are to be congratulated on all the wonderful work they have already completed with a special mention to Maurice Doyle who has given many hours of labour and materials voluntarily. It is now time to begin the task of painting inside and outside. All areas will need to be thoroughly washed down, repairs to plaster work, hire of height equipment and of course paint and labour.
The need to raise more funds is great and the committee are eager to get the word out there that they are very grateful to all who have already donated and sincerely ask those we may wish to donate to please do so. All donations are very welcome and can be paid through Bank Transfer, given to a committee or simply placed in the weekly offertory basket in an envelope marked Church Renovation Fund. We all understand that there are huge demands on everyone these days but would be delighted if you had something spare to see our beautiful church restored to its full glory. Our church has stood proudly watching over us all for over 200 years and has paid a huge role in our lives, the lives of our ancestors and will continue for the future generations. It is a place of worship, reflection, celebrations, quiet thought, a place of comfort and most importantly a place where community comes together in prayer and support of each other.
A huge thank you to local artist Lupita De Bháil who has donated a beautiful painting for auction, with all funds going directly to the Church Renovation Fund. If you would like to place a bid for this beautiful painting, please text your bid to 0872154519.
GAA News
The latest GAA lotto draw was held on Sunday March 29th and there was no lucky jackpot winner. The numbers drawn were 2, 13, 22 and 28. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Mar Ryan, Margaret Kennedy and M. Walker. The next draw will take place on April 12th and will have a fantastic jackpot of €12,500.
Tickets cost just €2 each or 3 for €5 and can be purchased from all committee members, online or will be available to buy on Saturday April 11th at Centra in Kilmeaden from the volunteer ticket sellers. This is a major part of the club’s fundraising so please support if possible and you could be that lucky jackpot winner.
Ballyduff Lower Cul Camp will take place from July 20th to 24th and booking for places will open on April 16th at 7pm
The club would like to congratulate Sam Masterson who has been named as part of the Waterford Minor Football Panel for 2026. Best wishes to Sam for the season.
Congratulations to club players Kate O Donnell, Hannah Healy, Kayla Murphy and Anna O Connell who represented Waterford on the U16’S B team who drew with Clare in the Sharon O Keeffe tournament
Ballyduff Lower GAA, LGFA and Camogie is a club for all players and non-players, young and old. Club membership details and rates are now available with plans to suit all needs. Register now on www.foireann.ie Registration deadline is March 31st.
If anyone has any spare hurleys or helmets at home and would like to donate them to the club, please contact Jack Kennedy 087 9206373. These items will be put to great use by the club.
Camogie training has now returned on Monday nights and the times for each age group are available on the club Facebook page. The club are looking for coaches to help with the U6/8’s group. If you are interested, please contact the secretary on 0868944780.
Bridge Notes
The latest Bridge game was played on Monday March 30th and the results were as follows:
1st: William Tobin and Nano Fitzgerald.
2nd: Elizabeth Mooney and Mary Prendergast.
3rd: Evan Walshe and Ann Tobin.
New members are always welcome. Please contact Anne Marie Brown on 087-6722482.
Quote for the Week.
Wake up every morning with the thought that something wonderful is about to happen.
Your Notes
If you would like to include any news in these notes please get in contact by Thursday at lunchtime. The email to contact is spillanelinda2017@gmail.com