QUALITY AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE IN FERMOY

Blackwater Childcare was born out of the great need for more childcare facilities to serve the growing population of Fermoy. The state of the art facility at Rathcarrig, is of a modern design and an investment into the future for an ever-expanding population. It offers quality and affordable full time and part time childcare and caters mainly, but not exclusively, for the families housed in the Rathcarrig Estate on Pike Road, on the outskirts of Fermoy.

As you walk into Blackwater Childcare friendly and helpful staff greet you and you get a warm feeling inside despite the stormy weather It feels like a home away from home, a safe and cosy place to leave your child in for the day, knowing that he/she is well cared for. You want the best for your child and Blackwater has the best to offer.

It all started more than five years ago when Peggy Kearney and The Young Mothers’ Group set out to research if there was a need for such a facility. It was deemed necessary, so they proceeded in trying to get funding from the Government. It was a painstaking process, but well worth it in the end.

Speaking after the official opening by the Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Tom Sheahan, Peggy Kearney reminded the assembled guests that this was an historic occasion for the Fermoy community and for Fermoy Mothers’ Group. This community group was established at the resource centre in 1992, was funded by the department to provide a variety of training and educational opportunities for the mothers.

In 2003, the group undertook training in management skills to equip them for creche management. Ms Keaney said that the creche which opened for service in October, 2007, operates within the Equal Opportunity ethos which requires that every child attending the creche is guaranteed equality of service and treatment. She concluded with the message: ‘Parents of Fermoy, your child will be safe in competent hands here’.

The facility speaks for itself. The walls are adorned with bright coloured drawings made by the 43 children who are in the care of the centre at the minute. There are three rooms: one for babies and toddlers, one for preschool children and one for after school care. In addition to these there is a completely equipped kitchen, a training room for staff, separate playgrounds for toddlers and older kids and toilet facilities. The rooms are neat, the safety regulations are abided by and the children who meander around the place look happy and comfortable.

Judy Baker is the chairperson of Blackwater Childcare. “This is the first community childcare facility for babies to 12 years olds in Fermoy,” she says.

Just like all the personnel involved in this initiative, she put her heart and soul into it. Being a non-profit organisation, the money it earns goes back into the facility. The manager of this impressive venture, Miriam Collins says a number of fundraising activities will be held in the future to help with the general running of the facility.

The Government grants received have contributed greatly to the birth of this facility. There are quarterly audits from the Government to make sure all the expectations and regulations are being met. More improvements are on the way and as soon as all the criteria is met, Blackwater has a very good chance of becoming a ‘centre of excellence’.

The facility can cater for 52 children, including children with disabilities. It is open 50 weeks per year, Monday through Friday 8am to 6pm, closing for one week at Easter and one week at Christmas. It offers both full-time and part-time care at the moment, the part time option being the most popular one. The centre also offers two pre-school sessions morning and afternoon, 9am to 12pm and 1.30 to 4.30pm as well as an after-school session from 2-6pm.

The children enrolled in the after school session do homework, have playtime and computer time while being monitored by fully qualified staff. The plan includes making summer camps available. Blackwater Childcare aims to be a ‘High Scope’ centre that meets the needs of children and parents.

The High Scope method of teaching encourages children to actively pursue their own learning, it helps children to become independent decision makers and problem solvers, it promotes active learning through play. The centre also has a healthy eating policy - biscuits, crisps, sweets, chocolate and soft drinks are not allowed.

Blackwater Childcare promotes a healthy lifestyle, one more way to get a good head start in life for your children. Applications for all sessions are being accepted at the moment. For further enquiries you can contact Miriam Collins at 025-82761.

THOROUGHBRED SEMINAR ATTRACTS CAPACITY CROWD

Given the level of interest there is in equine matters locally it wasn’t a huge surprise that the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association seminar held in The Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown recently was so well attended. They came from all over Munster to discuss the health of an industry that’s worth millions to the Irish economy every year.

While the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association may have an elitist feel to it, this is most definitely not the case. In the main the association is made up of small stakeholders who have to work extremely hard to earn a living from the industry. The event was professionally presented and very informative.

Like any business operating in a free market economy the bloodstock trade is faced with fierce competition from the US, Australia, the Middle East and more recently Europe.

Of some concern to the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and its members is the noticeable increase in the success rate of European, especially French breeders. This is attributed to the French being much more scientific and selective in their choice of bloodlines.

Ireland’s quantity over quality approach when it comes to breeding is now a major source of concern to those who rely on the industry for their livelihood. Irish race goers will be well aware of the huge numbers of horses currently in training, unfortunately a significant percentage of these horses are not serious contenders and do little to promote the traditionally strong reputation of the Irish thoroughbred.

COUNCILLORS REACT TO CUTS TO SPRING CLEAN CAMPAIGN FUNDING

Local county councillors are largely critical of cutbacks to funding for the annual National Spring Clean campaign, to take place in the month of April. Following negotiations between councillors and county council officials, a compromise sees both Fermoy and Mitchelstown granted two days, during which locals can safely dispose of their household waste. The issue has once again highlighted the lack of a civic amenity site in the Fermoy/Mitchelstown area.

“When we were presented with the council budget last November the environmental section was not itemised,” Fine Gael Councillor Aileen Pyne said this week, “and we were not informed that the budget for the Spring Clean campaign, which was €400,000 for the area last year, had been reduced to €175,000 this year".

"I feel this was not very open. This is an issue that the four county councillors of the area and the Fermoy town councillors are unanimous in agreement over. We have been pushing for a civic amenity site since the pay by weight system was introduced and the Spring Clean campaign represents a great opportunity for people to clean their area. Now, only after pressure for councillors, we have secured just two days for each town, which is a disappointment”.

However, despite the cutbacks Fianna Fail Councillor Kevin O’Keeffe feels the council are in an awkward position when balancing the county budget.

“I can appreciate the difficult situation they are in,” Cllr O’Keeffe told The Avondhu, “but this is an invaluable service to households, especially when there are no bring sites available in the area. I am glad we managed to negotiate these days for the area and am hopeful that such campaign weeks are kept in place and supported until amenity sites are installed”.

Cllr O’Keeffe also took the opportunity to highlight the importance of personal responsibility in the fight against pollution.

“It’s important to remember that people should take responsibility for their waste,” he added.

Fine Gael county Councillor Liam O’Doherty is concerned that the cuts represent a bigger worry for local authority.

“I think these cuts are a sign of things to come”, he warned, “this year the budget for this campaign for North Cork is €175,000; that was the budget for Mitchelstown alone last year. This is a sign of the cutbacks we are facing in the times ahead. Thankfully we managed to negotiate two special days for Mitchelstown, one for chemical disposal and a later day for disposal of white appliances”.

Cllr Frank O Flynn added that the issue highlights the need for civic amenity sites in the region.

“We need and should retain these clean up weeks,” he said, “many households look for it and it gives neighbours a chance to help neighbours, and communities to help communities. I have made sure that the people have been accommodated as best as possible, with the facilities in Fermoy and Mitchelstown staying open late so people have the time they need to avail of the services. I am delighted that Cork County Council have given this commitment and I am sure the service will be retained.”

Speaking to The Avondhu, member of Mitchelstown tidy group AROMA Kay Dawson insisted that the group’s working relationship with Cork County Council has not been affected by the cutbacks and has urged everyone to do their bit for the town.

END OF AN ERA AS MURPHY’S CLOSES

Saturday will be a nostalgic day for Peter and Eileen Murphy when they close their pharmacy at Lower Cork Street, Mitchelstown, which has served generations of locals for 100 years, though the good news is the same efficient and personal service will now be available from the Murphys team at Abbey Pharmacy – renamed Murphy’s Abbey Pharmacy at the Tesco Shopping Centre.

Murphy’s first opened for business on 14th March, 1908 with Peter’s grandfather WJ at the helm. WJ’s untimely death in 1917 at the age of 32 saw his widow, Katherine combining running the business with rearing five children. The help of Mr Cummins was invaluable in progressing the business until Katherine’s son Gerard took charge in the 1930s.

Gerard and his wife Maisie were to provide a top class service to a growing customer base. Peter became the third generation of the family to run the business, taking up the position of manager in the 1980s continuing the tradition of service to the community with the help of Eileen and a dedicated staff.

In 2004 Abbey Pharmacy was opened by the Murphys at the Tesco Shopping Centre. The decision to close the pharmacy at Lower Cork Street was taken reluctantly but changing circumstances gave the Murphys no other option but to consolidate all activities at the Tesco Shopping Centre outlet.

Now Saturday is the last day of trading in the heart of the town and customers are invited to a celebration of the 100th anniversary and the future on this Friday, March 14th at either of the pharmacies. A special draw will be held for customers visiting on Friday.

Peter and Eileen Murphy would like to thank all their customers of all ages for your support over the years and they assure you of the same first class, personal and efficient service at Murphy’s Abbey Pharmacy, Tesco Shopping Centre. There Mary Healy, Majella Noonan (moving from Lower Cork Street) with Maeve Lynch, Enda Fitzgibbon, Linda Condon, Bernie Martin, Caroline Landers, Claire Conroy and Julianna Dennehy with Eileen and Peter Murphy will be at your service as heretofore.

The after-hours prescription and delivery service will continue also. Daughters Karen and Yvonne who are studying pharmacy are keeping the Murphy family tradition going and hopefully the business will thrive in the coming years and perhaps hit the 200 year milestone in 2108!

SUCCESS ON THE DOUBLE FOR BLACKWATER COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Blackwater Community School, Lismore enjoyed a very productive week on the playing field with their camogie players eclipsing their first All-Ireland title and the school’s senior hurlers capturing the Munster colleges senior hurling ‘B’ title. The lads got the winning streak going last Friday when they saw off a very serious challenge from Patrician Academy, Mallow.

The team made up of players from Mallow, Kilshannig, Clyda Rovers and Freemount clubs pushed the Waterford men all the way before a Maurice Shanahan inspired Lismore side got the all important scores to secure victory on a scoreline of 1-11 to 0-08. Uniquely the team had joint captains in Maurice Shanahan and Kieran Geary.

Principal of Blackwater Community School, Denis Ring was thrilled with the composure and discipline of his side who are already looking forward to the All-Ireland series of matches. On the evidence of what we saw in Fermoy last Friday Lismore have little to fear from provincial representatives. It’s right that we give a mention to the very colourful and enthusiastic Lismore supporters who travelled in great numbers to support their team.

24 hours later, the focus moved to The Ragg in Thurles where the BCS camogie team faced off against Sacred Heart, Tullamore in the All-Ireland final. The girls did it the hard way and having registered no score after a half an hour things didn’t look good.

However, this team have proved their worth with a string of notable victories over highly rated opposition and far from panicking they powered into the game in the second half. Goals win matches etc. etc. and Lismore have, Kate Heneghan, Jessica Gavin-Johnson and Marie Russell to thank for netting the vital 3 pointers.

The victory triggered joyous scenes as the West Waterford ladies savoured a famous All-Ireland win.

O’KEEFFE RAISES KILWORTH PRISON WITH MINISTER

Cork East Fianna Fail TD Ned O’Keeffe has raised the proposed prison development with Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan and has received the following reply: “I am pleased to hear that the project has received a generally favourable response from the communities in the area. I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that a site suitability report has been carried out in relation to the proposed development. While the survey results are still under consideration they indicate that there are no significant constraints to the development of this site.”

The minister went on to state that the Prisons Authority Interim Board had recently approved the preliminary business case for the project and the Irish Prison Service has now commenced preparation of the detailed business case in accordance with the Department of Finance guidelines.

“The business case is likely to take a couple of months to prepare and, allowing for its consideration by various parties, I expect that it will be towards the end of the year before the Irish Prison Service is in a position to commence the process of shortlisting companies who may be interested in tendering for the project.”

Mr O’Keeffe, while welcoming the update from the minister, said he was not altogether happy with its contents.

“Despite what the minister has said, the community has raised many issues with me and I would first like to see these issues resolved,” he said.