CLON YOUTH CAFÉ AGM

YOUTH CAFÉ AGM

The AGM of Clonakilty Youth Café project took place recently at the Parish Centre with a good crowd in attendance. The Chairperson, Anthony McDermott welcomed everyone, with Secretary Valerie Hurley detailing a very busy year in her report. She traced the formal establishment of the group to the public meeting early in 2009 which saw nearly 100 people attending. Prior to this a small group of people were working away with not a lot of success on trying to put a youth café in place. Throughout the year, Denis O’ Brien regional manager of Foróige had been a great support. The group were determined from day one to find suitable premises that could be rented in the town to host the café, and a number of sub committees were put in place with certain responsibilities. During the year, the group had received offers of premises from a number of people, these had all been examined as to their suitability. After much investigation, one was agreed upon and the process of converting into a youth café commenced. However, there was great disappointment when it was learned that there had been a third party planning objection, and after an emergency meeting, the group decided to investigate alternative locations. The involvement of Foróige was very important as it has experience in setting up Youth Cafés already, and would also organise insurance would and investigate grants, etc. Throughout the year, there was great goodwill towards the café with many individuals and groups donating finance from events they had organised or participated in. But as the year ended, the group still has no premises in which to set up the café, and this is the biggest challenge facing the group. Following on from the secretaries report the financial report was gone through, and while the end of year balance is positive, it was stressed that ongoing fundraising would be necessary if the ultimate aim of getting a fully functional youth café up and running in a suitable location in the town is to be realised. The election of officers resulted as follows: Chairperson: Anthony McDermott; Secretary: Valerie Hurley; Treasurer: Kevin O’ Regan; P.R.O.: Aisling Harte; Vice Chairperson: Anne Cullinane; Asst. Secretary: Paul Hayes; Asst. Treasurer: James White; Asst. P.R.O.: Louise Hackett; Committee Members: Josh Henry, Mary O’ Driscoll, Marian Lynch, Chloe Burke. After the election of the new committee it was stated that with 24 trained members ready to go, the priority must be to find a suitable premises as soon as possible that would act as a temporary arrangement until something more long-term could be found.

SINGING CLUB AGM ON 17th

SINGING CLUB AGM

The AGM of Clonakilty Singing Club will be held on Wednesday 17^th February at 8pm in O’ Donovan’s Hotel. Founded 35 years ago, the club has staged over 25 musical productions in Clonakilty over the years, and has provided a platform for people interested in singing and acting to become involved in a social setting. While the club was dormant in recent years, “Rock Nativity” was staged in December last at the St. Joseph’s Primary School Hall and proved a great success, and has revived the club with new members as well as seeing some of the “veterans” returning to thread the boards. All past, present and new interested members are encouraged to attend the AGM to plan the future of the club going forward.

Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin,

PRO,

Clonakilty Singing Club

CLON FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT COMING UP

GETTING READY FOR FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT

This Friday, 12^th is the deadline for 5^th and 6^th class children in the local primary schools to submit their essay entitled “A Fairtrade Cup of Tea” which is part of the programme organised by Clonakilty Fairtrade Committee as part of Fairtrade Fortnight.

Over the last couple of weeks, the schools were visited by Clonakilty Fairtrade representatives to explain the essay competition and encourage participation by the teachers and students. The competition involves children writing a 300 word essay entitled “A Cup of Fairtrade Tea”, and will be adjudicated by an independent person, with the winning entry published on a local newspaper during Fairtrade Fortnight which takes place from 22nd February - 8th March. Entries can be either e-mailed to clonakiltyfairtrade@gmail.com or dropped into O’Donovan’s Hotel in Clonakilty in an envelope marked “Fairtrade Essay Competition”.

All entrants should include their name, class and school on their entry. Students can complete the essay either during school time or at home, whichever the schools decide. The content of the essay can span as far as their imaginations will carry them, once they stick with the above title!

During FT Fortnight the Clonakilty Fairtrade Committee will be organising various events to promote the use of Fairtrade products within our homes and in the broader community. On Saturday 27^th, a Mad Hatter Tea Party is planned for the Parish Centre possibly preceded by a Mad Hatter streets parade through the town to create an atmosphere and raise awareness with the public that by making the choice to purchase Fairtrade produce in shops and cafés, you can make a real difference to the producers in the third World countries where most of these products are grown and processed.

On 4th March, all are invited to the Clon Fairtrade AGM. Anyone interested in Clonakilty Fairtrade should e-mail clonakiltyfairtrade@gmail.com or phone Trevor on 086-3384863.

Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin,

PRO,

Clonakilty Fairtrade Steering Group

CLON SINN FÉIN AGM

CLON SINN FÉIN AGM

The AGM of the Vol. Martin Doherty Sinn Féin Cumann Clonakilty took place recently with a good crowd present. Membership was renewed, with a motion being passed that unwaged, students and OAP’s be given a concession of half price (€5.00) for the year. Outgoing Cathaoirleach Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin extended a Céad míle fáilte to all, in particular the new members, saying that 2009 had been a mixed year for the party both locally and nationally. The Clonakilty Cumann had been busy right throughout the year, but in particular in the lead up to the local and European elections in June.

Rúnaí Paul Hayes gave a detailed account of the cumann activities which included: hosting a visit by Martin Ferris, T.D. in January; members attended the Árd Fheis in Dublin and spoke on various party policy issues; the Cumann initiated public showings of republican films including “Hunger” and “The Wind That Shakes The Barley”; there were numerous meetings to plan and action the election campaigns; the annual Easter Commemoration and promotion of the Easter Lily; visit by Toireasa Ferris the SF South candidate in the Euro election; the loss of one of the Town Council seats and the failure (again) to take a County Council seat was lamented; after over 30 years, promoting “An Phoblacht” ceased but supporters were urged to sign-up to postal delivery alternative; a number of fundraisers were organised pre and post elections to cover costs; members mounted a good “No to Lisbon 2” campaign, which saw both Arthur Morgan TD and party president Gerry Adams, M.P., M.L.A. canvassing in town; the annual Vol. Diarmuid O’ Neill Commemoration was organised in Timoleague and the town councillor continued to be active on a range of issues inside and outside the council chamber. A lively discussion ensued on a number of points on the Runaí’s report. The Cisteóir gave his report which showed the finances to be healthy, and had all receipts and invoices present for the last year. However, it had been a difficult and challenging year from a financial point of view. The cumann spent in excess of €7,000, the vast majority of this being on the town and county council election campaigns. The national draw was well supported and the fundraisers proved critical in having a positive balance at the AGM. After a general discussion, the election of officers for the coming year resulted as follows: Cathaoirleach – Séamus deBúrca; Leas Cathaoirleach – Paul Hayes; Rúnaí – Andrea Wycherley; Leas Rúnaí – Paul Hayes; Cisteóir 1 – Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin; Cisteóir 2 – Mike Hayes; PRO – Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin. The Cathaoirleach and Rúnaí were nominated as delegates to other party structures. After a bualadh bos the new Cathaoirleach Séamus deBúrca took the chair. He thanked the outgoing officers and pledged to work hard to up the profile and activities of Sinn Féin in Clonakilty in the coming year. Following interesting discussion/debate took place on a range of issues, with all members giving their opinions on the topics. Anyone wishing to find out more about Clonakilty Sinn Féin or would like to apply to join should ring Séamus on 086-4009649 or e-mail eolas@clonsf.com. All cumann members are encouraged to attend the AGM of the Munster Comhairle Cúige which is being held in Mallow this Sunday and will be addressed by Mary Lou McDonald, Vice President.