Tractor Plowing A FieldNational Ploughing Championships, 23rd to 25th September: If you are attending the National Ploughing Championships, please do visit the Laois Marquee at Stand 349 to 351 – right beside the NPA Headquarters! We will be showcasing the best of Laois, with workshops for kids and adults on Arts, Music, Heritage, Science, Wildlife and More. Also in the marquee are a selection of businesses from Laois, the Local Enterprise Office, Laois Tourism, Laois Partnership, Laois County Council Environment and Heritage Services and a selection of Laois-based NGOs. Look forward to seeing you there.

Traffic Watch: With the Ploughing Championships being held in nearby Ratheniska from Tuesday to Thursday of this week, motorists and pedestrians alike are asked to be extra careful as the volumes of traffic coming through Durrow in the mornings and in late afternoons will be huge. It is advised to allow extra time for your car journeys be it bringing and/or collecting your children from school or doing your shopping. If possible, avoid the morning traffic as it will be hectic. All walkers please be seen by wearing proper reflecting clothing. Those who are travelling to the ploughing are wished a safe journey.

Well done: Congratulations to Elaine Maher of EM Designs, Cullohill Village on being Regionally short-listed for the Bank of Ireland Start-Up Business Awards 2014. EM Designs is the only Laois Business to have been Regionally short-listed, which is an outstanding achievement, and will now go on to compete in the National Competition. You’ll find out more about her work on www.facebook.com/emdesigns.ie or at www.emdesigns.ie online. Visit her stand EM Designs at the Ploughing Championships this Tuesday to Thursday in the Laois Marquee Row 24, Stand 349 to 351 and Support Local!