Westmeath PPN What is the aim of Westmeath PPN? Public Our aim is to support community Participation groups & co-ordinate how the community Network in Westmeath is represented. VOLUME1, ISSUE 4 SEPTEMBER 2018 We also aim to: Make our members stronger: and keep our members The Voice of the Community informed about local developments What does PPN - What’s in it for my Group? Westmeath PPN do? Networking Representation website and in our newsletter. We have more than 46 repre- We empower our When you are a member of Consultation sentatives on 16 various member groups to Westmeath PPN, you can: Members can take part in and influence policy committees & struc- be consulted on issues, strate- * Meet similar groups across tures, with this number rising makers. the country gies and programmes that are all the time. This gives mem- relevant to you, such as the: * Collaborate on projects bers eyes, ears and a voice in

* Exchange skills & local decision making. * PPN work plan knowledge Westmeath PPN Representa- * County Development Plan *Learn more about one tives are democratically * Town & Village Plans another and * Share ex- elected by PPN members at * Climate change strategy I N S I D E periences county plenary. * County Heritage Plan

T H I S * Joint Policing Committee

Funding ISSUE: * Westmeath Heritage Plan Information We keep members up to date * Heritage Forum We keep informed about with the latest funding Heritage Week Survey 2 * Active Retirement Ireland Pride of Place 3 community supports and we supports available to your * * Age Friendly Strategy act as an information hub for organisation. * Town & village Renewal All Ireland U18 Title 5 our members. We: Scheme Local Link 5 Publicity * Mobile coverage Survey *Publish a monthly newsletter Members can advertise their Volunteerism- 6 events for free on our web- * Water Framework Directive Share Stories * Maintain a website; which site and include news in our * Youth Work Ireland Biodiversity Autumn 6 is a treasure of information * National Broadband Plan Programme on everything from events to monthly newsletter. We also highlight the work of our * River Basin Local History Cert 6 funding to learning opportu- * Future of Policing in Ireland nities. members through our Mem- Greening the Urban 7 ber Spotlight’ initiative. * Library Strategy Environment Each month, we hope to pub- * Arts, Creative Ireland & Interactive map 7 It is also a free marketing tool Libraries Historic Graveyards for Westmeath PPN groups lish a short biography of one * Suicide Prevention Action Samaritans seek 7 of our member groups on our Volunteers

Rural Development 8 Programme LEADER 2014-2020 Information is POWER; is your Proposed bye-laws on Old Rail Trail Greenway 9 Group Getting Information? Seeking Culture Night 10 Events Free Computer Classes 11 One of Westmeath PPN newsletters and make direct that information to group €300,000 Creative Youth 12 main purposes is to keep contact with PPN members. members. Partnership groups informed of what is We send out information happening, locally and about, events, grants, consul- If you wish to be on our nationally. tation, plans etc; which is mailing list or if Group only useful if it is going to Contact details need In order to do this we the correct group contacts updating; please send to update our website, create who are then distributing [email protected] P A G E 2 Heritage Week Survey-win €90

€90) h t t p s : / / www.heritageweek.ie/get- for you all!! involved/audience-survey The Heritage Council are conducting a feedback The Heritage Council are survey. looking for Ireland's Heritage Hero They would like to know: 2 0 1 8 . h t t p s : / / What did you enjoy about www.heritageweek.ie/ Heritage Week 2018? heritage-week-awards

What would you change? Do you know someone Let us know in this short who always goes the extra survey and be included in a mile for heritage? Nomi- draw for (one of five) nate an individual or OPW Ireland Family Heri- organisation who makes an tage Cards (worth outstanding contribution to 1950’s Irish Childhood the protection and promo- time when motor cars and tion of heritage in Ireland. public telephones had wind This delightful collection The closing date for entries -up handles, when boys of memories will appeal to is Friday 14 September wore short trousers and all who grew up in 1950s 2018 girls wore ribbons, when Ireland and will jog nuns wore white bonnets memories about all aspects 1950s Ireland was the age and priests wore black hats of life as it was. th of De Valera and John in church. To the young Wed 5 Sept. Charles McQuaid. people of today, the 1950s Book Launch seem like another age. But ‘1950s Irish It was the age before tele- for those who played, vision, Vatican II, and learned and worked at this Childhood’ home central heating. A time, this era feels like just by yesterday. An Evening of Poetry

Ruth Illingworth 7:30pm in the Arts Centre, . All welcome Fri 7th Sept. 7:30pm Church,

An evening of poetry organised

WESTMEATH PPN SEPTEM B E R 2 0 1 8 VOLUME1, ISSUE 4 P A G E 3 Pride of Place - Westmeath Entrants county manager from Northern Each of the three Westmeath invites Community & Volun- Ireland and they will view each entrant swill be judged in tary groups to apply for differ- group separately. separate categories. ent awards and grants each year under the Cathaoirleach Tidy Towns, The Judging took place on ‘‘We wish every Awards and Grant Scheme. 22nd & 23rd of August; results Rathwire Tidy will be announced at National Success to One of the schemes that they Towns and Westmeath Final in November 2018 advertise is the Westmeath Age Friendly Council Westmeath’s three Pride of Place Competition applied for and were successful which is linked to a national in winning in their own county Westmeath PPN Wish county competition. The all Island categories in Pride of Place representative in Pride of Place competition was competition and have now Ballinalack Tidy Towns created to support the Local been nominated by Westmeath All Island National Authorities in Ireland both County Council to represent Killucan Rathwire North and South to recognise the county in the All Island Tidy Towns Pride of Place communities who are proud to National Pride of Place Com- live in their locality, it gives petition 2018. Competition’’ Westmeath communities and interest Age Friendly Council groups an opportunity to show- The Pride of Place Initiative case the work they carry out gives communities and interest together, to explain whey their groups an opportunity to show- area is the best and most won- case the work they carry out Every success; derful place to live in. together, to explain why their work is important and how it Judges come in a team of two affects their target group and we are rooting people comprising of an ex communities. county manager from the Re- public of Ireland and an ex Pride of Place - What is it!

Co-operation Ireland, its local work being done every day by presentation, exhibitions of authority partners and its communities all over the is- community activities and cul- headline sponsor IPB Insur- land of Ireland. Since the ture and a tour of the area ance are proud that the pres- competition commenced highlighting the aspects of tigious Pride of Place Compe- Pride of Place judges have which they are particularly tition is in its 16th consecu- met hundreds of thousands of proud. tive year. The competition has people, all of whom are proud enjoyed tremendous success of their place. It is also important that the and continues to grow in community demonstrates real terms of prestige and popular- The competition is based on partnership with their local ity. communities demonstrating council and shows that all directly to the judges their sectors of the community are The purpose of the competi- pride in their place by oral included.

Keep up to Date: www.westmeathppn.ie P A G E 4 EMERALD LAKES TTC GROUP –Cruinniu Trad Fest 2018

EMERALD LAKES TTC Co Co, RTE & Creative own creations of song, GROUP – Cruinniu Trad Ireland and Department dance or music.

Fest 2018 of Heritage & the The weather was EMERALD LAKES THEATRI- Gealteacht and West- exceptionally hot and CAL IRISH DANCE, TEAMS meath PPN for what was sunny for the 7.45pm & COMMUNITY GROUP to become a most enjoy- event and we hosted a On Saturday 23rd of June able and memorable Cruinniu Barbeque outside evening at the Parish Hall. the Emerald Lakes TTC of the hall which gave ease Group held an amazing The evening was focused of access to those attend- day of youthful creativity around Irish Culture with ing for some nice bites and in St. Josephs Hall, the involvement of 80 treats while they watched , Co. West- local performers per- the local talent unfold on meath. For this event a formed various dance the stage. Tea, Coffee, special stage, set and back pieces, including theatrical juices and snacks were drop was constructed Irish Dance, Drama, Tradi- also served to al the along with ambient light- tional Music, Traditional attendees & performer to ing and to excellent sound and Modern Song and what was a Day of to give a very professional Modern Dance. Local Youthful Creativity in image and visual effect to musicians also came along Rochfortbridge.

our Cruinniu na nOg event for the open stage event A day of great positivity in the Community Hall, to showcase all what is was created with great Rochfortbridge. great about our commu- feedback from locals but The evening was opened nity. The stage was then also those who travelled opened to any young or ‘‘an amazing day by a speech from specially to attend the old budding star who of youthful Chairman, Kevin Lyster event. wished to try their hand at creativity in who welcomed all who ATTENDENCE 250 / 80 attended with acknowl- performing in front of a St. Josephs Hall, PERFORMERS edgements for Westmeath crowd of 250 with their Rochfortbridge’’ Culture Night 2018 Welcome to Culture Night 2018 and culture. Now in its thirteenth Switch on Culture Night with venues and year, Culture Night returns on Fri Sep public spaces across the island of Ireland as 21st 2018. ‘‘Now in its they open their doors to host a programme For more information on Culture Night thirteenth of free late-night entertainment, as part of Events: https://culturenight.ie/ year, an all-island celebration of arts, heritage Culture Night returns on Fri Sep 21st 2018.’’

WESTMEATH PPN SEPTEM B E R 2 0 1 8 VOLUME1, ISSUE 4 P A G E 5 David McDonagh All Ireland U18 Title Mullingar Elite Boxing Club, adults Bootcamps and we do a (MEBC) was founded in 2013, as Slamball class on a Sunday.

‘‘a community based boxing club To date young members of teaching the art of boxing to chil- MEBC have won 17 All dren and adults’’ ‘‘we are a Ireland Titles; along with a MEBC received a €5,000 grant community European silver medallist in 2014, from which they bought a new ring which enabled them Jack Conroy and Jake Charles based boxing to hold shows. MEBC also re- won a European bronze club teaching ceived a grant of €14,000 from medal the Sports Council in 2017, the art of which allowed them to pur- David McDonagh, one of chase all new equipment for their MEBC boxers won the under boxing to boxers and clients. MEBC main 18 All Ireland Title on the 27th sponsor is Mileage Tyres, who children and paid to bring a team of 8 over to on July 2018 adults’’ England in June 2017 to box in a For more information contact: big tournament called the Hull Elite Boxing Club, Tony, 0858074490 Mullingar Boxcup Industrial Estate Mullingar

MEBC new season is start- Well Done & MEBC train the group from the Mullingar Resource Centre along ing back up on the 8th of Au- with working with the HSE men- gust and are looking for new continued Success tal health groups. MEBC also do recruits from 6 years upwards. MEBC

Local Link - Longford Westmeath ‘‘We operate 70 different We operate 70 different routes, 66 We provide transport for youth routes, 66 door door to door scheduled services. services, disability, Pre-School, to door 56 services operate weekly and we after school and day care centers scheduled also have 3 evening services (1 of services. which operates weekly). We also operate a limited commu- nity car scheme (due to the avail- 56 services Scheduled runs are used by people ability of voluntary drivers and operate weekly Contact: 044 9340801 wishing to access essential services, there locations) to those who need and we also such as shopping, pension to attend local health / hospital [email protected] have 3 evening collection, medical, banking and appointments and have no access services’’ post office. to private or public transport. http://locallinklongfordwestmeath.ie

Fear the Deer! Or Mower Envy!

Westmeath County Council took delivery of 2 new grass mowers one in and one in Mullingar in July 2018 P A G E 6 Volunteering - Share your story!

Never underestimate the power of sharing personal stories showing that Volunteering Changes Lives.

‘‘Volunteering Think about what you get out of your Changes volunteering work; what you are proud Lives… of; and the changes you’ve seen or brought about. tell your

story’’ Highlighting your experiences is crucial in raising awareness and building sup- port among politicians and policy mak- ers for groups, projects and initiatives active in your local area.

Have a story to share? Send it on to [email protected]

National Biodiversity Data Centre Autumn Programme

National Biodiversity Data ence Portal to make the sub- Centre Autumn Pro- mission of records of Ireland’s ‘‘Autumn gramme of events and work- biodiversity easier. It is now shops now open for booking possible to: Record multiple Programme of s e e h t t p : / / species at one site, within sev- www.biodiversityireland.ie/ eral selected recording forms events and events/ (i.e. Birds, Moths, Vascular workshops now Plants) & to upload an image NBDC have also updated with your record without the open for booking’’ their recording forms need to manually resize it be- within Ireland’s Citizen Sci- low 500kb.

'Local History' Certificate commences in September

In the Irish Workhouse will begin in mid-Sept with on research into primary Centre, Portumna. Lectures an ‘Introduction to local source material relevant to an ‘‘FETAC 6 are held Wednesdays, from history: approaches, understanding of a particular fully 7pm to 10pm. definitions and presentation’ topic in local history. module. - There are ample supports in accredited The cost of the course will - The next module will focus place, tutors are available to certificate’’ be c. €650 and it is a on the location and categori- guide and mentor on all FETAC 6 fully-accredited sation of sources (primary and projects, and the existing class certificate. secondary etc). sailed through and have their - In the Spring, the course graduation next month.. SPECIFICS -The course widens to encompass the Contact: Steve Dolan principal non-written sources The Irish Workhouse Centre (visual, oral history, folklore, Portumna, Co. material culture, the land- T: 090-9759200 scape; archaeology, maps, www.irishworkhousecentre.ie etc).- Each student will Facebook /workhousePortumna complete a final project based

WESTMEATH PPN SEPTEM B E R 2 0 1 8 VOLUME1, ISSUE 4 P A G E 7 Conference on Greening the Urban Environment

Conference on Greening the This event is being planned to The delegates programme is Urban Environment. Please coincide with the Entente Flo- open to anyone who would like register with the Tree Council rale Awards Presentation in to come, they do not have to nd of Ireland on on the 22 Septem- have entered in the Entente www.treecouncil.ie it costs ber to which delegates from 14 Florale competition. €125 for the conference for the cities, towns and villages day pay by PayPal or credit across 8 European countries There is also another event in card, if you need an invoice are invited. These countries Tullamore leading up to our contacted us with a P.O. Num- include Austria, Belgium, conference. It is the National ber. Czech Republic, Germany, Ploughing Championships and Hungary, Italy, Slovenia and of while there are ploughing com- ‘‘Conference Registration fee is €125, pay- course Ireland. They will be petitions taking place, there is st able to: The Tree Council, arriving mainly on Friday 21 also a major exhibition over on Greening Seismograph House, Rath- September. Some of the speak- the few days. Usual atten- farnham Castle, Rathfarn- ers in our one day conference dance at this event which ends the Urban th ham, 14. or Email: will feature in the awards pres- on the 20 September is Environment’’ [email protected] entation. 250,000.

Interactive Map of Historic Graveyards in Co. Westmeath

A project entitled ‘Best Practice photographs) and detail where in the Care, Conservation and this information is held. Recording of Historic Grave- yards’ is being carried out as an A report and interactive map action of the Westmeath Heritage complied as part of an audit on Plan, with funding from the Heri- the recording of headstones tage Council and Westmeath in historic graveyards in Co. County Council. As part of this Westmeath, undertaken with project a report and interactive funding from the Heritage map were compiled by Archae- Council and Westmeath ologist Antoine Giacometti County Council, is now avail- of Archaeology Plan – Heritage able on line: Solutions. The report and map summarise the level of recording https://www.westmeathcoco.ie/ already undertaken on 203 his- en/ourservices/planning/ toric graveyards across the conservationheritage/ County (eg. list of burials/ full historicgraveyards/ headstone inscriptions, maps,

Samaritans Seeking Volunteers

Samaritans Interested in becoming a Volunteer with Athlone & Midlands Samaritans? Please contact 085-181 5408

P A G E 8 Rural Development Programme - LEADER 2014-2020

LEADER is a community led below Calls for certain types of audits, area plans etc.) up to approach to local development projects may also be made at 90% funding may be funded through Ireland’s Rural various times throughout the dura- available, subject to a Development Programme 2014- tion of the Programme. Details of maximum of €30,000. 2020. It supports locally identi- calls for proposals will be posted fied initiatives that seek to on Westmeath Community Devel- Training: Up to 100% ‘‘WCD address locally identified needs opment’s website www.westcd.ie funding may be available for provides and challenges. It is delivered in and advertised in the local press. training projects. each region by a Local Action direct support Group (LAG). Expression of Interest (EOI)

In County Westmeath this is and Application Who do I contact? to potential Westmeath Local Community All potential applicants are If you are interested in required to complete an Expres- applying for LEADER applicants Development Committee (WLCDC) in partnership with sion of Interest Form (EOI) as the funding please contact any first step in the Application proc- staff member from the seeking funds Westmeath County Council (WCC) as the Financial Partner ess for LEADER. Expressions of LEADER section of under the and Westmeath Community Interest that are deemed eligible Westmeath Community Development Ltd (WCD) as the for LEADER funding will ad- Development. LEADER Implementing Partner. WCD vance to the full application stage. Mullingar E.T.I Ctr, Programme’’ provides direct support to poten- tial applicants seeking funds What level of grant aid is Mullingar Business Park, under the LEADER Programme. available? Mullingar, Private: For capital projects Co. Westmeath N91 X012 LEADER 2014-2020 covers the Individuals and/or businesses up geographically area of County to 50% funding may be available Athlone office: Westmeath and funding of subject to a maximum of Unit 4 Rockdean Building, €7,384,205 will cover a number €200,000. Under Analysis and Blyry Industrial Estate, of themes outlined in the Development (feasibility studies, Athlone, Co. Westmeath Westmeath Local Development business plans etc.) up to 75% N37 P668 Strategy. The Programme funding may be available, subject includes a number of themes and to a maximum of €30,000. LEADER Section: sub themes that reflect the over- Bernie Leavy arching needs of rural Ireland and Community: For Capital projects [email protected] are shown below. community groups up to 75% Brian Killian

When can I apply? funding may be available, subject [email protected] Applications are accepted on an to a maximum of €200,000. Peter Ormond on-going rolling basis for pro- Under Analysis and Development [email protected] jects under the Themes outlined (feasibility studies, resource Tel: 044 9348571

LEADER THEMES and SUB THEMES

WESTMEATH PPN SEPTEM B E R 2 0 1 8 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 P A G E 9 Proposed to make Bye-Laws to regulate the use of the Old Rail Trail Greenway.

Overview the Local Government Act  Mullingar District Office, 2001. Áras an Chontae, Westmeath County Council in Mullingar exercise of the powers vested Related File (s) are available in it by under Part 19 of the on www.westmeathcoco.ie  Athlone District Office, Local Government Act, 2001, Civic Centre, as amended and the Local Draft Old Rail Trail Greenway Church Street, Athlone Government Act, 2001 (Bye- Bye-laws 2018 A copy of the draft Bye-Laws ‘‘It is proposed to Laws) Regulations, 2006, Old Rail Trail Greenway Bye- may also be obtained for a fee proposed to make Bye-Laws Laws 2018 Map of €2.00 from these locations. make provision for the purpose of regulating in the Bye-Laws the use of the Old Rail Trail Public Inspection Point G r e e n w a y . Have Your Say for the imposition The Draft Bye-Laws will be Any person may submit It is proposed to make provi- available for inspection during of a fixed observations or objections sion in the Bye-Laws for the normal office hours Monday to regarding the Draft Bye-Laws imposition of a fixed payment Friday from Friday 24th payment of €50 in in writing to:- of €50 in respect of a contra- August 2018 to Monday respect of a vention of a Bye-Law as an September 24th 2018 (both Administrative Officer, alternative to a prosecution, as dates inclusive) at the follow- Transportation Section, contravention of provided for in Section 206 of ing locations: Westmeath County Council, Áras an Chontae, a Bye-Law as an Mullingar, Co. Westmeath N91 FH4N alternative to a prosecution’’ Or Email: oldrail- [email protected]

The latest date for receipt of objections or submissions regarding this matter is 5.00 p.m. on Monday 1st October 2018.

What’s in a Name? Everything !

Westmeath PPN is here to represent the communities of Westmeath; to give them a voice.

We are here also to inform them, to consult them and to represent them.

We can only do this if we have the correct contact information for Westmeath groups. We ask you please to let us know if you are the correct contact for a group; if contact have changed or if someone else wants to be on our mailing list, please let us know

Send updates to Brigid at [email protected] or 044-9332157 P A G E 10 TAKE TO THE DANCE FLOOR WITH MULLINGAR TOWN BAND Save the Date for Big Band as the Bandhall and will Ambassadors for the town Black Tie Ball this October celebrate 140 years in of Mullingar and over time The Mullingar Town Band 2019. ‘Educate, Elevate over 5,000 young people Refurbishment Project is de- and Entertain through the have learned to read music, lighted to announce their in- Art of Music’ is our key to play an instrument, be augural Big Band Ball which mission statement and we part of a Marching Band will take place on Saturday want to continue to express and perform in concerts 20th October 2018 in the Mull- and achieve this for many and shows across the ingar Park Hotel. generations to come’. globe. Patricia Magee, Chairperson Mullingar Town Band said, The current Bandhall is 40 ‘Mark your calendars and ‘Please join us on the red car- years old and still retains please consider supporting pet this October where you the original décor, win- the Mullingar Town Band will be treated to a glamorous dows and toilet facilities. by contacting: mtbbig- ‘‘Please join us on evening with delicious food, a In order to secure a quality [email protected], live, high-energy 30 piece premises, it is imperative visit our Facebook page the red carpet ...a orchestra and spectacular per- that the funding process to @bigbandball , formances’ bring this much needed www.mullingartownband.i glamorous evening facility up to 21st century e to purchase tickets or with delicious The Mullingar Town Band standards begins now. alternatively contact Car- celebrated its Centenary in Mullingar Town Band mel Kelleher on 087 food, a live, high- 1979 when turned members have become 2711864. the sod on what is now known National and International energy 30 piece

orchestra and

spectacular per-

formances’’

Looking for Westmeath Culture Night Events

Although still some organising an event for distance away, Culture Culture Night we would be Night 20118 is on the hori- delighted to hear from you zon. This year it is on and help in any we can, we st ‘‘Culture Friday 21 September, hope to send the details of and as always we hope to events for Culture Night Night...open encourage new audiences Brochure to print by door / free to to come and experience all 28th August, please let us all around that is unique and creative know by dropping me an the county’’ in Westmeath – with an e m a i l Arts Office ‘open door / free to all’ at ekerrigan@westmeathco policy all around the coc.ie and I can advertise Westmeath County Council county. your event on the National Áras an Chontae - Mullingar Cultural Website. Co. Westmeath If you or your group would like to participate by Is mise le meas, ( 00 353 (0) 44 9332016

WESTMEATH PPN SEPTEM B E R 2 0 1 8 VOLUME1, ISSUE 4 P A G E 11

FREE Computer Classes

FREE Computer Classes Morning Course To book a place contact in September Athlone Library on Athlone Library 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th 090 - 6442157 ‘‘Including 11am to 1pm Booking Essential an Afternoon Course introduction 5 FREE sessions to help get September 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th THIS DIGITAL SKILLS you onto the Internet! to 2pm to 4pm PROGRAMME IS FUNDED Choose from a morning or BY Email and afternoon course. Course in- Booking is necessary are The Department of cludes an introduction to Email spaces are limited to 10 per Communications, Climate Apps’’ and Apps course. Action & Environment

Free Access Dun na Si for Culture Night-2-4pm

To mark the very special event ago. Explore an ancient ring that is Culture Night, Dún na fort and visit a mass rock Sí will be opening the Heritage where people practiced their Park from 2pm-4pm Friday faith in a time of persecution. 21st September. These are just some of the We invite everyone to come many attractions to be found in along and journey through the Heritage Park, come along Ireland's past from ancient and explore for yourself! magical stone circle and the legendary warrior to the This is a free event. experience of life in a farmhouse one hundred years www.dunnasi.ie

Biodiversity on Project Mullingar Tidy Towns are looking are for

people interested in getting involved in

a project on the biodiversity of the

River Brosna

Contact: [email protected] P A G E 12 Snap Happy-Athlone Photography Club

Interested in photography? Athlone Photography Club is having its first meeting of the 2018-2019 season on Wednesday 29/8 at 8pm in Abbey Road (Close to Radis- son Blu Hotel). If you're interested in joining, feel free to call over. Liam Kidney (chairman) and his team will be there to meet you. Contact info: ‘‘Welcoming athlonephotography- New Members’’ [email protected]

€300,000 for Local Creative Youth Partnerships

‘‘Creative Youth Plan, €300,000 for Local Creative local, community level. A ships open 27 July, 2018 Youth Partnerships pilot initiative under the and close at 5pm, 21 Sep- it will see cultural Creative Ireland Pro- tember 2018. Regional creativity is set to and creative resources gramme’s Creative Youth enjoy a significant boost Plan, it will see cultural with the opening of Further information and expand creativity at a and creative resources applications for the new application forms can be regional level’’ expand creativity at a Local Creative Youth Part- found regional level, with a total nerships (LCYP) with of €300,000 being made https://creative.ireland.ie/ €300,000 to be made available for it. en/news/local-creative- available to help creative youth-partnership- Applications for Local partnerships flourish at a applications-now-open Creative Youth Partner-

Westmeath Local Forum will meet

Venue: Mullingar Library, County Buildings, Mullingar Town Centre Time: 6.00 p.m. – 7.45 p.m. Dates: Tuesday 4th September 2018 Website: www.hse.ie/mentalhealthengagement Contact: 087 376 1552 [email protected]

Open Meetings held monthly - New members always welcome For People using Mental Health Services

WESTMEATH PPN SEPTEM B E R 2 0 1 8 VOLUME1, ISSUE 4 P A G E 13 Last round of the Bank Skills & Opportunities Fund

The last round of the Ulster To help make the application proc- include as much relevant detail as Bank Skills & Opportunities ess as straightforward as possible, possible; assume that we have no Fund is fast approaching… will we’ve pulled together some guid- prior knowledge of your activities or you be applying? ance for you: organisation, as you will only be scored on what you include in the If you are part of a Republic of 1. Start early and save regularly application. The more detailed your Ireland based not-for-profit or- Complete the eligibility check as answers, the higher your overall ganisation with a financial capa- soon as you can, so that your intent score will be. The assessment crite- bility or enterprise-focused com- to apply is logged by the system. ria lean heavily towards outputs, and munity project in the pipeline, We also recommend accessing the assessors check to see that these are then you could be in with a strong application form as soon as possi- realistic and can be justified through chance of securing funding of up ble to upload your governing docu- demonstration of need. Be aware to €35k, when our final round of ment, accounts, company logo and that these three factors are inter- ‘‘The last round Skills & Opportunities funding team photo. This is the most tech- linked. This means that if outputs opens for applications on Monday nical part of the process and you aren’t clear and receive a low score, of the Ulster it will in turn be difficult to demon- Bank Skills & strate that they are realistic and can be justified, making it likely that Opportunities these elements will also be marked down. Fund is fast

3. If in doubt, ask for help approaching… If while completing your applica- will you be tion, you are unsure of anything, please don’t hesitate to contact the applying?’’ PNE Skills & Opportunities team, who administer the grant on our behalf. Once you have submitted your application it will either be marked as ‘eligible’ or ‘ineligible’ and that decision is final. We cannot go back and correct anything on 3 September. (See the Ulster Bank may find it helpful to upload one your behalf, so it’s well worth re- Skills & Opportunities Fund web- document at a time, saving the questing further guidance if unsure. site for full eligibility criteria, de- form before attempting the next To contact PNE with any questions, tails of how to apply and case upload. Take care to upload all email: [email protected] or call the studies of previous winners.) requested documentation, as we team on: 0191 691 4901. can’t accept applications that don’t Given the high numbers of inspir- include this. You can dip in and Thank you for your support for the ing charities, community groups, out of the application, saving your Ulster Bank Skills & Opportunities social enterprises and state-funded progress as you go. When you are Fund; we’ve achieved so much to- schools and colleges we know are ready to submit your application gether in our local communities – working hard to build stronger however, make sure to hit ‘submit’ communities across the country, rather than ‘save’. Most impor- with over 7,500 people in the Re- we want to make sure that our tantly, leave yourself plenty of public of Ireland benefitting from funding reaches the places where time; late submissions can’t be Skills & Opportunities funded pro- it can make the most difference. accepted, as the system closes jects in the past four years. Please automatically as soon as the sub- help us to spread the word that ap- A brief investment of time to ap- mission deadline passes. plications open for the final time on ply for R2 2018 online could se- Monday 3 September, and the best cure a significant financial invest- 2. Pay attention to the detail ment for your community project. Read the instructions carefully and of luck if you decide to apply.

Keep up to Date: www.westmeathppn.ie What is the aim of Westmeath PPN? Our aim is to support community groups & co-ordinate how the community in Westmeath is represented. We also aim to: Make our members stronger: and keep our members Westmeath PPN informed about local developments Public Participation Network What does Westmeath PPN do? We empower our member groups to influence policy Community Section makers. Westmeath County council We do this through:

Áras an Chontae,  electing representatives onto decision-making bodies; Mullingar  highlight community issues; Co. Westmeath N91 FH4N  making sure our members are consulted on local Phone: 044 9332157 Email: [email protected]  developments and strategies; and Web: www.westmeathppn.ie  providing training to our members on relevant topics

The Voice of the Community.

What is Westmeath PPN

Westmeath PPN is a formal network, which allows the local authority to connect with community groups around the county.

PPNs give citizens a greater say in local government decisions which affect their own communities. Our democracy is strengthened, by allowing diverse views and interests to be considered as part of the decision making process of local Government. The result is more transparent, better informed & improved decisions.

Keep in touch, stay informed, news, grants available, upcoming events and what other groups are doing log on & register with www.westmethppn.ie

Keep up to Date: www.westmeathppn.ie