CONGRATULATIONS to Carri Donohue, Bishopswood, Durrow and Paul Butler, Ballyragget on their    recent marriage.
Congratulations to Lisa Donohue, Mill Rd, Durrow and Declan McDonald, Ballyroan on their recent  marriage.

DURROW TIDY TOWNS: The committee wish to remind residents to continue to keep your own areas swept and litter free, also to help with the watering of flower beds, hanging bags etc… that are in your area over the summer months. A special effort is needed to have Durrow looking its best for the    Scarecrow Festival when a large number of tourists will visit our town. We get so many good comments from visitors to the town – it’s very encouraging. So keep up the good work, your efforts are very much appreciated by the Tidy Towns committee, local residents and visitors alike.

LAOIS WALKS FESTIVAL: Get your walking boots on for this year’s Laois Walks Festival. Local events include: Granstown Lake on July 8th, Gathabawn on July 12th, Capponellan Woods Durrow on July 14th, Ballacolla on July 20th, Cullohill Mountain on July 24th, Abbeyleix Bog on July 28th and finishing with the Durrow Leafy Loops on July 31st. So plenty to choose from! Full details of all walks in Laois are available at www.fb.com/LaoisWalksFestival online.

DURROW SCARECROW FESTIVAL 2015 – Summer Camp: The hugely popular Durrow Scarecrow Festival Summer Camp is back on Monday 27th to Friday 31st July from 10am to 1pm. Activities include Arts & Crafts, Sport, Clay   Modelling, Baking, Music, Dance, Bouncy Castles and Drama. Marquees are available for all activities if the sun does not shine, so weather is not a problem! Participants are divided into groups based on their age so all activities are age appropriate. The closing date for applications and full payment is July 17th but 30 of our 100 places are already taken so don’t delay! €50 per child; €95 for 2 children from same family; €140 for 3 children from same family. Application forms with payment can be left in a sealed   envelope into Durrow Post Office, or Happy Days Creche, Durrow. Children must be aged 5 by 31/12/2015. Application forms are available on www.durrow.ie (bottom-left of main page).

Scarecrow Festival Photography Competition: A Senior competition for the Joe Brophy Memorial Cup and a Juvenile Competition for the Durrow Development Forum Trophy. Juvenile age up to 16 years old. Entry fees: Senior €5 and Juvenile €3. Print Size for both competitions: From standard size up to maximum of 12″ X 10″. Prints can be mounted, but not necessary. Limit of 4 photographs per entry. All entries to be presented in an envelope with name of entrant, address and telephone number written on the envelope. Entry dates: Friday 24th and Saturday 25th July from 2.30pm to 4.30pm both days at Durrow Community Centre. Winning prints announced and Prizes awarded at 5pm on Sunday, 2nd August. For further information please contact: Andrew Walsh Snr on (086) 3791904. Best of Luck to all!

Ladies Night: On Wednesday Night, July 29th there will be a special Ladies Night out in CastleDurrow in association with Good’s, Kilkenny. Dress for your shape and Bra Fitting Tutorials, Hair and Make-Up Demo, Fashion accessories, Jewelry and lots more. Guaranteed to please every lady. Tickets cost €12.50 and it is advisable to book early as tickets are limited. The show will start at 7.30pm and finish at 10.30pm with doors opening at 7.15pm.

Arts’n’Crafts Exhibition and Sale: Durrow Scarecrow Arts’n’Crafts Exhibition & Sale will take place from 26th July to 3rd August in Durrow Community Centre. Space is limited, therefore please let organisers know soon as possible if you intend to exhibit this year. A short Artist Statement is required for publicity purposes. Further information available directly from Mary Dowling at (087) 2200199 or to marydowling09@gmail.com by email.

Help Wanted: With just over 20 days left to the Durrow Scarecrow Festival volunteers are needed to help make scarecrows. This will be happening every Thursday night at Evelyn Clancy’s house on the    Kilkenny Road any time from 7.30pm, all are welcome and please bring a friend or two!

STRICTLY COME DANCING: Durrow Development Forum and The Harps GAA are delighted to be  bringing Strictly Come Dancing to Durrow on the 14th November. Our dancing couples are all working hard organising their fundraising events and would be very grateful for your support. A summer of great fun nights out is definitely ahead! Dancing tuition will start at the end of August so there is still plenty of time to get involved. We would be delighted to welcome another few dancing couples on board. If you are interested please call Marian on (086) 8390266 or marian@durrow.ie by email.

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!

DURROW WEATHER STATION: Visit www.laoisweather.com for the latest conditions and forecasts.

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.

REMINISCING GROUP: Anyone wishing to purchase a Durrow/Cullohill Reminiscing Book please call to Our Ladys Meadow during school hours, or contact Tom on (087) 2936531 / Kathleen on (086) 8263368.

DURROW & DISTRICT BEFRIENDING GROUP: This Group offers a free, confidential, friendly, voluntary, dedicated, practical, reliable and often fun home visiting service. Befriending is all about  building one-to-one relationships based upon trust, confidentiality and support. Our aim is to reduce social isolation and enhance quality of life in Durrow and surrounding communities. We need more volunteers to consider giving ONE HOUR of their time per week to this worthy service. Any interested person please contact Patricia Young on (086) 8096693.

FISHERTOWN CYCLE CHALLENGE: The 100km Fisherstown cycle challenge takes place on Sunday July 12th starting and finishing at the Fisherman’s thatched inn Fisherstown Ballybrittas. 100km starts at 10.30am sign on from 9am also 50km challenge starting at 11.30am and family 10km starting at 11.45am. Helmets must be worn by all. Fully insured. Refreshments for all on return to Fisherman’s Inn.

LAOIS AGE FRIENDLY OLDER PERSONS FORUM: Laois launched it’s Age Friendly County Programme in April 2014. We started by asking older people all over the county what was important to them as they grew older. Following on from the ‘Showcase for the Over 55s’ held on Thursday, May 28th 2015 we would like to invite people to join the Older Persons’ Forum. The forum provides a structure for older people in Laois to come together, share concerns and experiences, and to inform the decision making process of the Programme.
Membership will be made up of representatives from the older persons’ groups in the county as well as individuals who are not affiliated to any recognised group. The forum exists to representing the views of older people and also takes responsibility for implementing many of the suggested changes identified through a recent consultation process with older people.
Application forms are available by contacting Geraldine Delaney, Community & Enterprise   Section, Laois County Council, County Hall, Portlaoise as soon as possible.

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.

NEVEN MAGUIRE COOKERY DEMONSTRATION: Mountmellick Arts Centre will host a Neven Maguire Cookery Demonstration on Wednesday 22nd July at 8pm. Tickets at €20 each are available at O’Horain’s and O’Gorman’s shops Mountmellick and Mulhall’s Supervalu Portlaoise. Food Fair 4pm to 8pm. Enquiries to Mary, Mountmellick  Heritage Society on (083) 8435921.

SHOPFRONT GRANT SCHEME: Laois County Council are now accepting applications for the Shopfront Grant Scheme 2015 (Pilot). The grant shall not exceed 50% of the overall cost and is subject to a maximum grant of €500 per unit. The closing date for the receipt of applications is 3rd July, 2015. Application Forms and a Guide to the Scheme are available atwww.laois.ie/business and at the Planning Counter in County Hall. The objectives of the scheme are: 1) To support the vitality and vibrancy of Laois Town and Village Centres; 2) To enhance the appearance of retail/commercial premises in Laois Town and Village Centres; 3) To examine the outcomes of this pilot scheme.

COMHALTAS: Spink branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will be hosting their summer seisiun series in Heritage House, Abbeyleix on Wednesdays, between 8pm and 10pm, starting 1st July and running until 26th August. There are 2 weeks when it will not take place – 22nd July and 12th August. The format of the evening includes a mixture of music, song, dance and story telling – anyone who is there who would like to perform will get the opportunity – either individually or in a group. There is no charge for the evening, but donations are accepted to cover costs. Please encourage neighbours, friends, visitors, relations to come along. This is a very enjoyable evening, and the more people that we have at it each evening, the better it is! Highlights of the series will go up on Facebook each week, and we hope to have Irish TV present at one of the sessions.

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next Durrow Parish Newsletter will be on sale weekending July 18th/19th. NOTICE: The deadline for inclusion of notes is NEXT Thursday, July 16th at 7pm to info@durrow.ie and ALL ADVERTS MUST BE BOOKED WITH ANGELA DRENNAN (087) 1928522 OR MARY WALSH (086) 3055157.