New Year Q&A - Christine Charlton (Westmeath LEO)

1. What are your stand-out memories from 2021?

Obviously the rollout of the vaccine was a major step forward for all reducing our vulnerability to Covid and finally being able to reconnect with family and friends having endured long periods of lockdown. Hopefully we will still be able to enjoy such freedoms if we exercise caution and adhere to public safety advice.

As is coming to a close, on a personal level, it is tinged with sadness. I lost a good friend, Frances Guckian. I met Frances through my work with Westmeath County Enterprise Board many years ago when she became a director and subsequently chairperson of the board. Frances worked tirelessly and in a voluntary capacity. Frances was passionate about helping small businesses and was proud of Mullingar. She will be fondly remembered.

2. Are there any changes in our ‘new normal’ that you feel are worth keeping?

Yes while the ‘new normal’ has brought considerable challenges to many, it has brought considerable benefits too. Many of us have become immersed in new technologies which have enabled us to become more efficient, reducing time spent traveling to a meeting, allowing us to dial into a webinar for a briefing or to attend an event virtually or listen to a speaker. While recognising the importance of face to face meetings and building relationships with people, adapting to new technology has made life easier in ways for some.

I also think that employees have adapted well to remote working and some element of this should be maintained going forward. Offering blended working arrangements to those living in rural locations contributes to balanced regional development and it is fantastic to see the array of co-working spaces springing up around the county.

3. Best film or TV series you saw in 2021 – and why?

While not a huge follower of TV, I love a good film or drama on TV and nothing beats reading a crime thriller. I have to say I was gripped on the recent crime series of Hidden Assets on RTÉ, filmed between Ireland and Belgium, based on the criminal underworld and featuring Irish actresses, Angeline Ball and Simone Kirby. An excellent production. I particularly enjoy good crime thrillers and have recently read crime thrillers by our local author, Patricia Gibney, following the career of Detective Lottie Parker through the series including ‘The Missing Ones’ and ‘Broken Souls’. Other crime thrillers recently read include ‘The Couple Next Door’ by Shari Lapena and currently on my reading list are a couple of John Grisham novels, ‘Camino Winds’ and ‘Sooley’.

4. Where did you holiday in 2021 – and why did you choose there?

This year due to Covid, I stayed in my native Kiltimagh, County Mayo, where my family reside. It was an opportune time to catch up with family and friends from my childhood. What Covid has taught me is to appreciate more the importance of family and friends, to enjoy their company and not take life for granted. We can all become bogged down in making plans and where we are going next and not appreciate what we have.

5. What hopes do you have for 2022?

I hope that 2022 brings health and happiness for everyone. Naturally I hope most of all that a solution will be found to end the virus strains and that people will be able to go about their business and meet up safely. I hope that our business community will have a good year and enable them to develop and make up for lost ground experienced by some.

Christine is head of Enterprise, Westmeath Local Enterprise Office.