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homes & businesses WICKLOW WE DELIVER!- for 31 years NORTH EDITION to 44,500 Delivered LOCAL HOUSE PRICES TIDY TOWNS THINK LOCAL page 4 page 6 page 10 TimesNORTH EDITION DELIVERED TO HOMES & BUSINESSES IN: SHANKILL, ENNISKERRY, BRAY, GREYSTONES, DELGANY, KILCOOLE, NEWCASTLE, KILQUADE, ASHFORD, KILPEDDER, NEWTOWNMOUNTKENNEDY, KILMACANOGUE, LARAGH, MONEYSTOWN, ROUNDWOOD. Tuesday 14th July 2020 First Floor, The Boulevard, Quinsborough Road, Bray. A98 R6D7. Tel: 01 - 2869111 E-mail: [email protected] www.wicklowtimes.net DON'T BLAME THE DEER! A new report evaluating the role that deer play in the spread of Bovine TB (bTB), has labelled Wicklow as a Bovine TB 'hot-spot' and suggests that Wicklow's large deer population might be to blame. However, this is hotly disputed. The report in the peer- on the role of deer in Agriculture's Wildlife reviewed scientific Ireland is lacking, the Unit said regarding a journal, Microbial report says. 2018 Department study Genomics, titled In the last decade, "this information does 'Mycobacterium bovis Wicklow has had the not inform us about the genomics reveals highest herd-level direction of spread of transmission of infection prevalence of bTB in the disease, and cannot be between cattle and country. The report states used to draw any deer in Ireland', was that in Co. Wicklow, conclusion about which published on June 18th "high densities of deer species may be infecting by Crispell et al. have been implicated in which other species." It's understood that the local spread and A recommendation to deer can act as a spill persistence of M. bovis the Minister of over host for the infection in cattle. Our Agriculture in 2015 by infection where high deer analyses suggest that M. the Irish Deer densities are present, bovis is transmitted Management Forum, however there is no clear between cattle and deer confirmed "that there is evidence to show deer populations, and that no evidence to link are a source of infection deer may be acting as an Bovine TB incidence in for cattle. Whilst badgers important source of deer in Ireland to Bovine are recognized as being a infection in Wicklow." TB outbreaks or source of infection for James O'Keeffe, SVI, persistence in cattle cattle, similar evidence Head, Department of herds." New Minister for Higher Education, Simon Harris visited Bife college of Higher and Further Education in Bray last Friday. Pictured l/r are Deirdre Keyes CEO of KWETB; Cllr Tom Fortune, Board member, Minister Simon Harris, Gabriel Allen Deputy Principal of Bife and Ray Tedders, Principal of Bife. See page 3 In 2018, Dr Eoin The report also notes Ryan, Chief Veterinary that the similar M. bovis Inspector at the strains in cattle and deer Department said there is could result from a "no evidence of link common source, such as between wild deer and badgers. the spread of TB." "Defining the role of No study to date has deer in the bTB system in shown the directionality Wicklow will require of bTB transmission from further research," the wild deer to cattle (or report states. A badger) or vice-a-versa. spokesperson for the Irish The Crispell et al Deer Commission said report states that "Our "while deer like many analyses reveal that cattle other wildlife species are and deer share highly susceptible to TB at low similar M. bovis strains, levels, the report high- suggesting that transmis- lights that good deer sion between these management can help species is occurring in reduce the spread of the area. In addition, the potentially infected wild high level of diversity deer by carrying out observed in the sampled informed data led culls deer population suggests annually to reduce wild deer may be acting as a deer numbers and main- source of infection for tain them at sustainable local cattle populations. levels. Also, good deer These findings have management ensures we important implications do not drive deer into for the control and new areas by over-culling ultimate eradication of or sustained increased bTB in Ireland." hunting pressure." WICKLOW 2 NEWS TimesLOCAL Tuesday 14th July 2020 Short story competition open to children in Greystones Municipal District Social Democrats Cllr for Greystones District Jodie Neary has launched a short story competition in association with her successful Bee Route Project. The Bee Route Project was devised by Cllr Neary who worked with Greystones, Delgany and Kilcoole Tidy Towns giving out free Bee Route Starter Packs and lavender to locals in a bid to get people to grow pollinator-friendly plots in their gardens. Over 150 participants tatives and people associ- ment during COVID19 is open to all children have signed up to the pro- ated with the gardening lockdown. Children have regardless of whether ject so far. The success of world. Please send your such fantastic imagina- they participated in the the project has inspired short story to tions and are best placed Bee Route Project or € A local fundraising challenge has succeeded in raising over 3,5000 for Pieta House. Organisers the launch of the Bee jodie.neary@socialdemocr to really appreciated our not," concluded Cllr of ‘100km for May’ created a Facebook page and set people the challenge to run, walk, or jog Route Short Story ats.ie surrounding natural envi- Neary. 100km throughout the month of May. Over 150 people took part from Wicklow town, Newtown, Competition, open to all Speaking on the Short ronment and they have Age categories will Greystones, Ashford and as far as Away as Australia. By the end of the Challenge €3,512 had children aged 5-12 from Story Competition, Cllr taken advantage of the apply to the following age been raised for donation to Pieta house. Pictured are Anne Marie Nolan, Leah Kelly & Takis across Greystones, Neary says "The theme for lockdown to explore their brackets: 5-6 years, 7-8 Apostolopoulos at the presentation of the cheque. Delgany, Kilcoole and this competition will be: surroundings in great years, 9-10, 11-12 years. Newcastle. The theme will The Sunflower and the detail. I know that people Winners will be be: The Sunflower and the Bee. When writing, chil- would love to read what announced during Bee. Children are asked to dren can take inspiration children have discovered National Heritage Week mechanic. In order to nominate your club, all that Oh My It’s 3005! write a short story (by from watching bees over the last few months, from 15th August - 23rd. is required is to pick up a promotional box of themselves!) of up to 300 buzzing around their new and that's just in their own The competition is being Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies or Bran Summer Stars is the national reading programme for words on this subject pollinator-friendly sun- back gardens! sponsored by the Flakes. Using the unique on-pack code, log on to children taking place in all 330 public libraries in The Competition has flowers if they participat- "I often feel that chil- Arboretum and the top kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie/competition and nominate Ireland. It is a completely free programme and open to been developed by Cllr ed in the Bee Route dren are left out of five winners will receive the club of choice. For more information on the all children. As well as online stories, competitions and Neary alongside Wicklow Project or imagine a bee national discussions on vouchers - €100 for the Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps visit gaa.ie/kellog- book reviews, Wicklow County Library Service are Good News broadcaster passing through well- the topic of biodiversity overall winner and €50 gsculcamps proud to announce a unique creative writing event for Jillian Godsil and produc- known spots across when really it's children for another 4 runner ups! children entitled “Oh My It’s 3005!” with renowned er Marlena Murphy, to Greystones, Delgany, we should be targeting. They will also get to have writer Maeve Devoy. Support for Kilcoole encourage children to dis- Kilcoole and Newcastle. We need to nurture their their picture taken by the Children ages 8-12 can take part in the webinars skate park campaign cover more about biodi- It can be anything they curiosity which will be very kind Eva Blake at a from 27th July to 31st July, online. Maeve will take versity and to keep their want associated with bees, essential in the future location to be confirmed, them on a futuristic journey to the year 3005, exploring Minister Simon Harris TD is supporting the curiosity growing pollinators and nature". preservation of our natu- together with the other worlds and letting their imaginations grow. campaign for a skate park facility in Kilcoole. throughout the summer Cllr Neary says, "I ral heritage. This is one winners (social distancing Registration is essential and free. To register, please Minister Harris said: “I was very impressed by the months. want to encourage chil- way we can facilitate peo- style!), and individually. contact [email protected]. Participants must be campaign 14 year old Jake Mitchell from Kilcoole The competition will dren to take part in the ple to participate in pre- Furthermore, kids will able to access Zoom on the days in question. For any is undertaking to develop a skate park. Jake has run for approximately five competition not only to serving our natural her- also get to have their sto- further details, please check out your local library. decided to be proactive and campaign for the coun- weeks ending on August raise awareness about bio- itage. I look forward to ries posted on the cil to develop a safe skate park for this very popu- 7th. A panel of judges will diversity, but also to docu- the contributions and to Wicklow Heritage Site La Touche Festival of lar outdoor activity.

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