DURROW TIDY TOWNS: Thank You – The Tidy Towns committee wish to thank everyone who put out hanging baskets and window boxes which add great colour to the town. A special word of thanks is extended to Martin and Mary Lawlor, Lawlors Gardens for their great work planting the flower beds in The Square and St. Fintans Terrace and also the four Welcome signs and the boxes on the bridge.
Thanks is also extended to Paddy Quinn and the FÁS team for hanging the flower bags on lamp-posts, looking after them and for their continued great work throughout the town – it is very much appreciated. A final word of thanks to Durrow Fire Brigade for watering the newly seeded areas on the greens following the renovation works there recently.
We again ask householders and businesses to help in your own area by keeping all the flowers watered and the nearby areas clean and litter free. Many thanks for your help in this regard.

SCARECROW 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 and also the form will be given to children through the school.

ARTS & CRAFTS EXHIBITION & 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.

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.

THIRD LAOIS DURROW SCOUTS:  Sadly scouts will have no Annual Camp this year due to shortage of Scouters so if any of you feel you enjoy working with the youth, and the outdoors and enjoy a challenge please consider joining us in Third Laois Durrow Scout Group. Please contact Maureen Campion Group Leader on (085) 8099528. Many thanks!

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.

DURROW COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Senior Citizens Annual Outing – Arrangements are being made for this years outing which we hope will be held on Saturday 5th September 2015. More information in the near future.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 at www.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.

NEXT NEWSLETTER: The next Durrow Parish Newsletter will be on sale weekending July 4th/5th. NOTICE: The deadline for inclusion of notes is NEXT Thursday, July 2nd at 7pm to info@durrow.ie and ALL ADVERTS MUST BE BOOKED WITH ANGELA DRENNAN (087) 1928522 OR MARY WALSH (086) 3055157.