Valleymount & Lacken Parish Newsletter

www.valleymountparish.ie B.V. Mary of Mount Carmel [email protected] Welcome July 2016

Forthcoming Masses: Friday 5th August: First Friday mass Valleymount @ 8.00pm. Confessions @ 7.30pm. Monday 15th August: Feast of the Assumption (Holy Day) Mass Valleymount & 1.00am.

Sunday 28th August: Cemetery Mass Baltyboys @ 12.30pm. Please Note :- There will be no Mass in Valleymount on August 28th. Thank You! Cemetery Mass July 3rd. There was a large turnout for the Annual Cemetery Mass in Templeboden. Many thanks to Paul Carey for the great work done in cutting the grass and tidying the cemetery in preparation for the mass. Best wishes to Michael Norton who takes over as caretaker of the cemetery. Thank You! : The Hillbilly Tractor Run committee would like to sincerely thank everybody for all their hard work and effort over the Hillbilly Weekend—The musicians who performed for the Traditional night on Friday June 24th, to those who spent the day preparing the field in preparation for the Tractor Run, to all who volunteered to help with cooking, stalls, supervision of the car park, directing traffic, your contribution is much appreciated. The rain and the match did very little to dampen the enthusiasm of our helpers. You can view photos of the day on www.valleymountparish.ie

Harvest Day - Valleymount The Hillbilly Committee are organising a Harvest Day on Saturday August 13th @ 2pm. Events will include Threshing and grinding of corn, Haymaking,, Buttermaking, Breadmaking, Pet Farm, High Striker, Bouncing Castle, Crazy Golf, Sweet Shop, Bric a Brac. Stallholders welcome contact Marie @ 087.975 5061. Donations of bric a brac also welcome. A Meeting to plan for the Harvest Day will take place in the Community Centre Tuesday July 26th @ 8.30pm. Anybody with any ideas for the event are invited to come along. All proceeds towards the Church Renovation fund. This will be followed by a Barn Dance in the marquee at the side of Leo O Connor’s Valleymount starting at 9pm. Music by ―The Whole Hog Band‖.

My Life as a Stonecutter: Andy & May Farrington, , would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported Andy with the launch of his book ―My Life as a Stonecutter‖. Many thanks to Donie and Betty McEvoy for the use of their premises at Baltyboys and to all who paid tribute, attended the launch and provided the refreshment. We greatly appreciate the encouragement and help of family and friends to produce the book and for all the kind words from those who have read it. A special word of thanks to Jim Clarke for his hard work publishing the book. Thank you also to all the local retailers for stocking the book, Texaco, Crimin butchers, The Bookstore, Parish Office, Tourist Office and Paddy Murphy's. Net Ministeries – Donegal Think about doing something in your Gap Year? Would you like to become part of the team of Net ministeries - This organization for young people 18 - 30 aims to help them grow in their faith and become actively involved in their parish community. Net missionaries work with young people through youth groups, visiting schools and providing young people an opportunity to know God, to pray to Him and to give Him a chance to change their lives. For further information contact: Net Ministries Ireland, email: [email protected] Tel:074. 9190606

Valleymount Community Text Alert: Valleymount Community Alert is still up and running in the Valleymount area. We would ask people to be extra vigilant at this time of year especially when neighbours are away on holidays. Do report anything suspicious and take extra care when leaving your car parked around the lake. There has been an increase in break ins in recent weeks, in particular with cars parked at the lakeside carparks. The Community Alert no is: 087.351 3304 Garda Station is: 045.857620 It is hoped to have a fundraising event in the Autumn to provide funds for this vital service in our community.

"West Cancer Support Group Meeting:- Thursday 28th July at 7.30pm in the Coimin Centre, Blessington. A safe place to meet, to talk and be supported during a cancer journey. All are welcome and feel free to bring a friend. "

National Heritage Week: There will be a talk on the Wool Weaving Industry of the 1800’s by John Hussey in Baltiboys Golf Club on Wednesday 24th August @ 8.00pm. This event is part of National Heritage Week in .

Blessington Library: Summer Stars Reading Programme at Blessington Library. Parents & Teachers concern at this time of year is the ―Summer Slide‖, which is the tendency for children to lose some of the reading ability they gained during the school year. This year sees the launch of a national reading imitative: ―Summer Stars‖ which will provide the whole family with an opportunity to explore the full range of events & facilities available in their local library, such as story time, children’s activities, talking books & games, computers & internet access, and of course children’s books. So come into Blessington Library with your parent/minder, sign up & get started. Everyone will pick up rewards along the way & there will be a celebratory event at the end for all children completing their cards. http://www.librariesireland.ie/

Free Home Insulation – Homeowners living in Co Wicklow on a low income, may qualify to have your home insulated free of charge. To qualify you must be an owner occupier in receipt of either Job Seekers Allowance for over six months with a child under seven, Fuel Allowance, Family income Supplement or One-Parent Family Payment. Further info: Warmer Homes Team 01286 6080.

The Stay Warm Saving Scheme is an easy payment option plan enabling house holds to budget for their central heating oil or solid fuel by saving €5 Stay Warm Saving Stamps on a saving card and using the stamps to pay ( in full or part payment ) for fuel supplies. The Scheme is open to all households in the Blessington area. €5 Stay Warm Saving Stamps & Savings Cards available from Blessington Post Office,