CONGRATULATIONS from the wider Cullohill Community to Patrick O’Connell on getting first prize for his breakfast cereal at a competition in Dublin recently. Congratulations also to Darina Allen on an award she received in Paris for her Sweet Trolley at Ballymaloe House.

DURROW SCARECROW FESTIVAL: The Durrow Scarecrow Festival will celebrate its tenth year this Summer. If you are interested in getting involved, we’d be delighted to have you onboard. If you are making a Scarecrow, we have some Scarecrow Frames and heads that can be dressed up to assist you in your creation for 2019, please let us know if you require one as soon as possible. If you require a large space or a specific area for your creation (besides at your own premises, home or business), please also let us know as soon as possible so we can reserve the space for you. Give us a call on (087) 9626350 or email scarecrow@durrow.ie for any queries or assistance. Scarecrow Making continues on a Monday night in Evelyn Clancy’s house, if you would like to get involved please contact one of the committee. Any assistance would be appreciated.

ST VINCENT de PAUL DURROW: Contact us, in strict confidence on (087) 1917813.

NATIONAL COMMUNITY DAY 2019: Laois Local Community Development Committee invites local community and voluntary groups to submit proposals to organise a community event to mark National Community Day, over the May Bank Holiday Weekend, 4th until 6th May 2019. Small grants may be available to assist with event costs, closing date for application forms is Wednesday 6th March 2019. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Mr. Michael Ring, announced the event to be held for the first time in 2019 to celebrate the great spirit of community that exists across the country and to focus an effort to help people who share communities to come together and get to know each other. For an application form and guidelines please contact Community Development Section, Laois County Council, by email at dce@laosicoco.ie or phone 057 8664169.

LITTLE OAKS PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP: Little Oaks Parent and Toddler group continues to be held every Tuesday morning from 9.15am to 11am in the Library in Durrow. A good opportunity for mixing for little ones, new attendees always welcomed!

LAOIS PPN: Laois PPN invites all community groups from across the county to attend their Funding and Resources Workshop on Monday the 25th March in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise from 5pm-9pm. come see what grants, funding, training and resources your groups can avail of. No registration required. Light food and refreshments will be served. For further information contact Suzanne O’Connor 057- 8665661 or email ppn@laoiscoco.ie
“Hands for Life” CPR: Places are filling up fast for our CPR course taking place on Thursday 4th April in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise. Session Three (7.30pm-8.30pm) is now fully booked. There are still a number of places available in our remaining two sessions at 4pm and 6pm. If you don’t have access to the online booking system please do not hesitate to contact Laois PPN who will book a space on your behalf and post you a receipt. Contact: Suzanne O’Connor, Laois PPN Coordinator,
On (057) 8665661 or (086) 7782551 or to ppn@laoiscoco.ie by email.

NEW SOCIAL GROUP: A new Crafty Chatty Social Group is now up and running! Meet in the Durrow Library every Tuesday from 2pm until 4pm.

LIVE WEATHER DATA: Visit www.laoisweather.com online for live weather information.

ENROLMENT: Cullohill National School is now enrolling for September 2019. Please email scoiltnaofa@gmail.com or contact (057) 8737281 for an enrolment form.

CULLOHILL WALKING GROUP: As the evenings are dark why not get out and walk in the company and safety of the walking group. Meet at Cullohill Community Centre on Mondays and Friday evenings at 7.20pm. Walks will commence at 7.30pm sharp.

RETIRED? Active Retirement Strength Class – A class aimed at the retired community that would like to improve their strength and mobility. No experience or fitness level required. The class will be supervised by a physical therapist to ensure maximum benefit. 11am in Core Health and Fitness gym every Friday. €5 per class. All queries to (057) 8740637.

SAFETALK: Laois PPN and the HSE would like to offer organisations the opportunity to host the FREE SAFETALK programme in their club, organisation or community. SafeTALK is a three and a half hour ‘suicide alertness’ programme that prepares participants to identify and engage with persons who may be having thoughts of suicide.
Participants learn how to provide practical help by using the steps of TALK (Tell, Ask, Listen and Keep-safe) and also gain information on the supports and resources available locally, regionally and nationally. The minimum number of participant required is 15 with a maximum number of participants places capped at 24. Again, this is a FREE event. For further information contact: Suzanne O’Connor – Laois PPN on (057) 8665661 or (086) 7782551 or to ppn@laoiscoco.ie by email.

ZUMBA CLASSES: Zumba Dance Class are held every Wednesday from 8pm until 9pm in Durrow’s Community Centre, regardless of age, gender or fitness level. Just grab a friend and come join us for an exciting and fun workout like no other. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t tried Zumba yet this class is definitely for you. So come and give it a try as you never know you might enjoy yourself. Class fee €5 per hour. Children go free! Hope to see you soon.

DURROW CHOIR Voicem Daru: Rehearsals continue every Tuesday evening at 7.30pm in Castle Arms Hotel. The group are preparing for a Coral Festival in Cork in May 2019 so it is very important that every member of this group attend practice nights. For details, phone Ann (086) 6045409.

PRESENTATION CENTRE: The Presentation Centre beside the Catholic Church is available for hire. For further information please contact Angela on (087) 1928522.

CULLOHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE: The Progressive 25 Card Games are held in the hall every Sunday night at 8.30pm sharp followed by tea and sandwiches. Please support!

KETTLEBELL BEGINNER CLASSES: Learn to use kettlebells safely and effectively from one of Ireland’s top ranked professional kettlebell sports and fitness instructors. Also included in the classes are bodyweight exercises as well as posture correction and strengthening techniques. Together with proper kettlebell instruction you can learn to prevent and remedy a wide range of joint and mobility issues and injuries. Places are limited so booking is essential. Contact (087) 3833258 or tridentfitnessclub@yahoo.ie by email.

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next newsletter will be on sale the weekend of April 6th and 7th 2019 – weather permitting. All adverts must be booked with Angela Drennan (087) 1928522 or Mary Walsh (086) 3055157. Advertisements cost €2 per issue of Durrow Parish Newsletter and must be paid for in advance.