BMB Active members enjoy trip to Mansion House in Dublin

Ballinafid Multyfarnham Bunbrosna Active notes

Congratulations to the committee, members and friends of BMB Active in receiving the Westmeath County Council Award for Excellence in Age Friendly activity and events. Marian Mooney expressed it well when, in a short video, she described the ethos and achievements; ‘and we want to continue doing what we are doing and then some.’. Well done on receiving this accolade which is equally well deserved.

Multyfarnham Tidy Towns also won a Cathaoirleach Award for the district. How wonderful that the efforts of so many volunteers is appreciated and recognised in this public format. Congratulations to Nuala Daly Moran, Mary Sharry, and Sheena O’Neill who represented MTT at the Belvedere House presentation evening.

Multyfarnham Community Centre was represented by Jim Bourke, who was a finalist noted for his contribution to the development and running of that busy centre at the heart of the village, which provides a venue of choice for so many community activities, from GAA for all, to pickleball, basketball, handball and so many more activities and events. Thanks to all the volunteers, and directors of MCC.

Multyfarnham Tidy Towns request that every household in the parish do their utmost to help to keep the paths, driveways and gardens in front of where they live trimmed and maintained. Window boxes, hanging baskets, and litter picking in your surroundings goes a long way to ensuring that there is a concerted effort to make the village as pleasant as it can be for every citizen.

A subgroup of BMB Active are researching local history and look forward to presenting findings during Heritage Week in August. The beautiful Way of the Cross statues were conceptualised and created between 1938/9 and 1942, a period of hardship for many households, when TB was rampant and World War II loomed; yet, families donated their time, muscle power, and resources to the legacy of these remarkable statues depicting the Way of the Cross.

To further understanding of that period in history, the BMB Heritage Group are endeavouring to collect old photographs from the era. Photographs of the development of the site and statues are requested, and also any old photographs from the locality would be helpful. We hope to have photos enhanced for exhibition purposes. Once they are received with associated written information on the owner’s name, address and contact details, they will be returned as received with the benefit of also receiving an enhanced version. Kindly submit your photographs to Eilís Orme or any member of the BMB Active committee. Phone number 0871723256.

BMB Active strive to offer members and friends ongoing support and advice in promoting healthy lifestyles. The periodic members meeting typically feature discussions and input on topics that potentially enhance quality of life.

The members meeting on Thursday June 17 is a good example of health promotion.

Guest speaker is Alwyn Thornton, who will address the meeting on maintaining lower body fitness and strength as we age. Alwyn is an experienced, practicing physiotherapist and has agreed to share some of her experiences and expertise with BMB on Thursday at 2.30 in Multyfarnham Community Centre, N91 AX5A on June 17.

Rose Greene healthy food preparation workshop series; learn how to make fermented drinks, foods and sourdough bread, in a series of 4 sessions of 3.5 hours on Thursdays, June 25, JULY 2, 9, and July 16, in Multyfarnham Community Centre 9.45-12.15. Session 1 Rose will demonstrate how to make fermented sodas, such as kombucha, a probiotic rich drink and a great substitute for alcohol and or sugar loaded beverages.

Session 2 focuses on vegetables fermentation making food such as sauerkraut/kimchi. Everyone will be able to make and take-home starter samples. Session 3 will cover sourdough baking. Participants will bake and taste several types of bread and take-home starter agents with recipes to continue making breads at home. Session 4 Rose will cook together nutritional bone broth which will be served and eaten together, with foraged herbs complementing the dish.

Thanks, Rose Greene, for offering something interesting and different.

On Tuesday September 1 and 8 10-4, Anna Winiarska will lead and mentor an art workshop. Participants can come with their own choice of materials, and with their own size canvases. Come with your own sketch, drawing, idea, or photo of what you envision painting on the day. Book in for September 1 and or September 8 or both days. Text ‘Paint’ with the date that suits you best, and the medium you plan to use to 0871723256 to secure your place. Thanks.

From Banagher, Offaly on Tuesday June 16 and Thursday June 18 fully booked. Similar day trips will soon be available.

The Multyfarnham Men’s Shed car boot sale on Sunday June 7 11.30-2.30 at their premises, behind the Franciscan Friary, out the Coole Road, Eircode. N91HP9D. Car spots are €15. All proceeds will go towards Peru Children’s Charity.

A bus load of happy campers had a personal tour of the Mansion House, Dublin, and were greeted by Lord Mayor Ray McAdams; but it was former Lord Mayor Dermot Lacey who enlightened the interested attendees with eloquence and passion about the role, artifacts, and humorous anecdotes. It was a pleasure to sit at the oak dining hall table and the be treated to tea, and sandwiches.

Active Retirement Ireland AGM, Saturday June 24, Sheraton Hotel, Athlone. Having the event in Westmeath presents an opportunity for many midland ARI members to attend.

After 38 years as proprietor of Conor Murtagh’s Pub, Suzanne has decided to take a well-deserved break. BMB Active thank Suzanne for hosting many events down through the years, from pub quizzes to raffles and fundraisers and parties. Suzanne, it is now time for you to join the ranks of the active retired and live a life at your own pace. BMB wish you good health and happiness to enjoy your best life in the future. Please know how much we appreciate all you have done to make Multyfarnham a better place for us all to live.