Castlepollard notes

At last Wednesday"s meeting of Coole Drop-In Centre in Coole Hall, a Coffee Morning was held in aid of the outdoor project. Maurice Stenson of Westmeath County Council and Tricia McKenna of Westmeath Community Development talked on the benefit of the activity area for both children and adults.The Activity Group would like to thank them and Ian O"Flynn for their support and all those who subscribed to the raffle and sent donations, and also Sean Gaffney (Hill Top) for the music, and all who attended.The development of the site for the outdoor activity area for children and adults is well underway. Anyone wishing to support the project by donation may do so by contacting Mel Dunleavy or any Committee member.Next week, Wednesday, 8th October, the project is Christmas Cards under the guidance of Nancy Wallace so participants are reminded to bring their old cards if they still have them, and a pair of scissors, and Nancy will provide the inspiration. All are welcome, and the group are looking forward to seeing new faces.The following week it is hoped that local GP, Dr. Patrick Cullen, will attend to give direction and advice on keeping healthy and how to improve out health. With the onset of winter, this will be very timely and beneficial.Coole BingoCoole Monster Bingo continues every Thursday night in Coole Hall at 8.30pm. Jackpot of €20,000 in 45 calls, and also the scoop of €20,000 in 45 calls. All are welcome.The late Mrs. Nancy BradyThe death took place suddenly at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar, on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008, of Mrs. Nancy Brady, Milltown, Castlepollard. The remains were removed from The Mortuary, Mullingar, on Thursday evening, September 25th, to the Church of St. John the Baptist, Whitehall. The funeral took place following Requiem Mass on Friday, September 26th, to the adjoining cemetery.The attendance at the removal, Mass and funeral was very large and widely representative of the esteem in which the deceased was held.Nancy will be sadly missed not alone by her immediate family, but by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.She is survived by her daughter Marie, sister Marcella, brother-in-law Paddy, sister-in-law Lil, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends to whom deepest sympathy is extended.ExhibitionLocal artist, Teresa Doyle, will be launching an exhibition entitled 'Fabric of our Environment', in Castlepollard Library on Thursday next, October 9th at 2.00pm. The exhibition will feature works produced by members of the Collinstown Day Services Centre and their neighbours and friends.The exhibition will feature collages made from various materials, such as leaves etc. readily found in the local environment.EntitlementsA representative from Mullingar"s Citizen"s Information Service will attend the Library/One stop Shop on Mullingar Road, Castlepollard, every Friday between 10.00am and 1.00pm to give advice on entitlements.BaptismPreparation CourseThe next Baptism Preparation Course for parents takes place on Wednesday, October 15th, at 8pm in the Parish Community Centre, Church Street, Castlepollard. The course is being run by the Coole Group. Parents who do not have a babysitter may bring baby with them to the meeting.AlcoholicsAnonymousA meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous takes place in Room One, Parish Community Centre, Church Street, Castlepollard, every Tuesday evening at 8.30pm. For further information contact Jim on 044-9661887.M4WOMEN"S GroupIt has been great to welcome back all existing members and to welcome new members, also. Members are looking forward to our mornings together as they continue with their exciting Autumn/Winter programme of speakers:Wednesday 22nd October: Gina McGarry, traditional herbalist, will talk about herbs with a Halloween twist;Wednesday 5th November: Octavia Carroll, Heritage Seeds and Bulbs, Tullynally Castle will give advice on starting a vegetable patch;Wednesday 19th November: Bill Hume returns to share his skill at making Christmas wreaths and talk about composting;Wednesday 3rd of December: Gina returns to give more advice on herb usage for Christmas.Wednesday 17th December: Christmas is celebrated with a general meeting and some mulled wine and mince pies.M4 Women offers you an opportunity to meet up with old friends and to make new ones in a relaxed and friendly environment, to enjoy a wide variety of local speakers, to provide and receive support and information on issues of interest to women, to develop your creativity, and to take time out to be you! If you are interested in being a member of M4Women, come along and join in! The group meets on alternate Wednesday mornings at 10am in the Hotel Castlepollard. New members are welcome at any time. Membership costs €20 and the fee is €5per meeting. Come along and bring a friend!Castlepollard CelticThe Club held its annual sponsored walk in Mullaghmeen Forest on Sunday last in brilliant sunshine. The walk is one of the main fundraisers for the club during the year and once again the players and their parents showed up in great numbers to support the event. Following the walk many of the participants assembled in McCormack"s for sandwiches and refreshments kindly supplied by Seamus McCormack. Players are requested to bring any outstanding sponsorship money to the next training session. Training continues every Wednesday and Friday at Castlepollard Community College.The FAI will be running a 5-a-side Futsal Competition for Westmeath Schools, starting in November. There will be a local Qualifying Round for any school in the North Westmeath area. The competition will be for 3rd and 4th Class boys and girls.Local schools interested in participating should contact Jim Keating on 086-8954323 or Dave Connell at Westmeath Sports Partnership. Membership fees for this year are €20 per player and €10 for second and third family members. Managers are currently signing players on the official Longford League forms. All players must be signed on these forms before playing any games.