LADIES MINI-MARATHON: Anyone wishing to take part in the Ladies Flora Mini Marathon are advised to enter on line or through the Evening Herald on Wednesdays to be sure of a place at the starting line. For more details contact Marie Clooney (087) 7742506.

OVER THE RAINBOW MONTESSORI BALLYOUSKILL: Summer Camp 2015: Running from the 13th – 17th of July in Ballyouskill for 2 1/2 to 10 year olds. Activities such as water games, orientation, swimming, teddy bear picnics, barbeque, indoor soccer, arts/crafts, musical games, disco, hip-hop dancing, face painting, camp games and many more! Run by Laura Saunders and Tina Hayde. Contact Laura (085) 1652589.

DURROW COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Walk, Cycle or Jog for all the Family on Sunday, 3rd May (Bank Holiday Weekend) commencing at 2pm from The Square, Durrow through Castlewood Farm (where sponsored refreshments will be provided). Registration outside The Copper Kettle at 1.30pm. Adults €5; Children Free. Please come and support this worthy cause!

SQUARE PLAN: Durrow Development Forum are delighted with the progress of works to date. The Phase 1 Plan is available for public viewing in Durrow Post Office currently.

WEDNESDAY, 15th APRIL: Join the team to make the 2015 Durrow Scarecrow Festival the best one yet! We are looking for helpers to come onboard to give ideas and help out in preparing for the annual festival. Everyone is invited to Durrow Library (Old Courthouse beside Post Office) at 8.30pm on Wednesday 15th April. Why not bring a friend? and become part of the Scarecrow Festival Team!

DURROW & DISTRICT BEFRIENDING SERVICE – INFORMATION AND OFFICIAL LAUNCH NIGHT: On Thursday 16th April the Durrow and District Befriending Group are holding their official launch of the service and celebrating the completion of their first successful year. Starting time will be 8.15pm in the Presentation Hall (beside church), Durrow. A number of speakers will outline how the service is developing, how it can continue to benefit the community of Durrow, Cullohill, Abbeyleix, Ballinakill, Ballyragget and surrounding areas. The will answer any queries that may arise. If you or anyone you know would be interested in knowing about or becoming involved in the service please come to our official launch and information night. All are most welcome. For more information Phone: (086) 8096693.

WOODENBRIDGE DISTRICT COMMUNITY ALERT: The Woodenbridge District Community Alert will hold their pre-summer meeting on Monday 13th April at 8.30pm in the Community Room at Topaz Service Station, M8 Junction 3, Ballacolla.

LAOISWEATHER: Visit www.laoisweather.com for all the latest weather conditions and forecasts.

CIVIL DEFENCE POSITIONS AVAILABLE: Durrow Civil Defence currently have a number of positions open within the unit. If you are interested on volunteering in this emergency service and you are over 18, why not call us on (086) 3491317.

ST VINCENT de PAUL: Anyone looking for help can contact us on (087) 3476012.

SCHOOL BUS SERVICE: Commencing this September there will be a new bus service from Durrow to Colaiste Mhuire, Johnstown for students. All will be catered for. For more information please contact M&A Coaches on (056) 8833454.

SATURDAY MARKET: Durrow Saturday market is open every Saturday from 9am to 12.30pm in the Computer Centre beside the RC Church on the Kilkenny Rd. Potato’s and Fresh Veg are available, to book your favourites please ring Marie on (087) 7742506. Home Baking from Bernie Brennan is also now available with a selection of fresh breads, scones, tarts and cakes. You can also book cakes for parties etc… with Bernie. Do come along, great value on offer!

BALLINAKILL BINGO: Monday night in the hall on The Square at 8.30pm and there is €1,000 in prize money every week. We also run a raffle. Books are at €7.50 for a single book with sheets and €15 for a double book with double sheets. There is also a bus service running from Durrow. For more information on pick up times please contact Dick on (086) 8402139.

LITTLE OAKS PARENT AND TODDLER PLAYGROUP: The Little Oaks Parent and Toddler Playgroup continues meetings on Tuesdays at 10am in the Presentation Centre. All are most welcome. All enquiries to Teresa on (086) 3914725.

TIME TO GET THE KETTLE ON!: Classes continue in Durrow Community Centre every Tuesday and Thursday evening, PLUS! SATURDAY MORNINGS from 11am to Noon. First class free for everyone joining at any time. Contact David on (087) 3833258 or tridentfitnessclub@yahoo.ie by email

AED DEFIBRILLATOR: Cullohill Community Centre have installed an AED Defibrillator in a box on the outside wall of the Community Centre. This is accessible by using the Key in the break Glass Box alongside it. A list of trained responders to call in the event of an emergency is in the box. The Community Hall is now protected by a new CCTV System and access to footage from the cameras can be gained through by any committee member.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS IRELAND: Annual Collection Day, Friday 24th April, Volunteers Needed: Special Olympics Ireland urgently requires volunteers in the Laois area to help with our charity Collection Day on Friday April 24th. Collection Day is the biggest annual fundraising event in aid of Special Olympics Ireland. The money raised on the day will be used to ensure that Special Olympics Ireland can continue to realise its promise of offering people with an intellectual disability the opportunity to participate in sport in their area. Special OIympics Ireland is looking for volunteers across the day, so if you can commit to the full day or even just an hour, please contact Jill Groome on (01) 629 6999 or jill.groome@specialolympics.ie by email.

YOUNG VOICE OF LAOIS: Could you be the next Young Voice of Laois? This competition is organised by Durrow Development Forum and is open to male and female singers between 12 and 18 years old, the Young Voice of Laois 2015 is now open for entries. Following two rounds of heats in Portlaoise and Durrow, finalists will appear in the Castle Arms Hotel on Saturday, 9th May, 2015. The winner will receive the Ronan Lawlor Perpetual Cup; €100 cash prize; guest appearances at Laois School of Music End of year Concert and The Durrow Scarecrow Festival and a scholarship for Music Generation Laois School of Rock and Pop Summer Camp. Auditions will take place in the coming weeks. Applicants must live in Co. Laois. Closing Date is 17th, April 2015. Terms and Conditions apply. Application forms available to download on www.durrow.ie or from Laois School of Music, Railway Street, Portlaoise (057) 8664127.

FUN RUN: A 5km Fun Run will take place on Sunday 3rd of May in aid of Colaiste Mhuire, Johnstown’s new Pupil’s Canteen. Please support!

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next Durrow Parish Newsletter will be on sale weekending April 25th/26th. NOTICE: The deadline for inclusion of notes is Thursday, April 23rd at 7pm to info@durrow.ie and ALL ADVERTS MUST BE BOOKED WITH ANGELA DRENNAN (087) 1928522 OR MARY WALSH (086) 3055157.