Delvin"s young soccer stars brave the elements

Sunday last, November 9 wasn"t the most hospitable of days, but young soccer enthusiast turned out in their droves at Pat Fox"s Astroturf pitch off Main Street, Delvin, for Delvin Celtic AFC"s fundraising soccer blitz.Donning their brand new Finches-sponsored club jerseys, the orange brigade demonstrated their silky skills, divided into teams and competing against each other in good sport. An adult match was also held on Sunday afternoon.The objective of the soccer blitz was to raise much-needed funds for the club, in order to purchase necessary equipment and clothing for the teams, who compete in the Meath and District League at several age grades.The young soccer stars received a great response when going door-to-door with their sponsorship cards, and the club has extended its appreciation to all those who supported the blitz, be it financially or by helping out on Sunday.Tickets on sale for local drawsMake a note in your diary: Saturday, November 22 is the date for Delvin and District Gun Club"s annual prize draw, with seven prizes from €1,000 to €100 up for grabs. Tickets cost €5 each, and are available locally.Meanwhile, on Saturday, December 6 is the date for Delvin GAA Club"s Annual Draw, which always generates much excitement and interest in the community every year.Someone"s Christmas dreams will come true when they win the first prize of €3,250. Three other prizes: €1,000, €250 and five prizes of €100, are also available, bringing the total prize pool to €5,000. The draw is one of Delvin GAA"s major annual fundraisers, and your support would be appreciated. Tickets are on sale in local business, or from any member of the committee.Council set to install new playgroundNews has emerged that Delvin will shortly follow in the footsteps of Castlepollard, Multyfarnham and Kinnegad, when a state-of-the-art new public playground facility will be installed in the village.Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner this week, Fianna Fáil"s Cllr. Paddy Hill said that Westmeath County Council has set aside a strip of green area on the Collinstown Road - beside the former location of the village bottle banks - for a new play area, which could cost in the region of €240,000.Cllr. Hill said that the playground had been approved for Delvin, and that efforts are underway to secure a similar facility for Clonmellon in the near future.Set dancingTwinkle-toed dancing enthusiasts in Delvin, Clonmellon and surrounding districts might be interested in attending set dancing classes in Killallon Hall, which commence on Wednesday of this week, November 12 at 8pm.New historical societyWith Delvin regarded as one of Westmeath"s, and indeed Leinster"s most historic places, plans are afoot to form a dedicated Historical Society for the village.With a view to forming a group of like-minded history buffs from the Valley, a meeting will take place in Carmel Gaffney"s pub, Main Street, Delvin on Thursday week next, November 20 at 8pm. All who are interested in local history are invited to attend.Sore feet?Never fear; the chiropodist will be in attendance at Delvin Health Centre on Friday, December 5 between 1pm and 3pm.