WORK NIGHTS RETURN
This week saw the Work Nights return. We started on the Poulavone Roundabout on Tuesday night where 11 Volunteers worked tirelessly raking the freshly cut grass. Work also began on the 5 outlying flower beds.
The roundabout was a hive of activity with the Volunteers getting a chance to catch up as they worked together.
Thursday we were back on Poulavone Roundabout where 10 Volunteers gathered the remainder of the grass. Work also began on the centre area while others worked on the outlying beds.
LITTER PICK
Last Sunday was very busy with 27 Volunteers and 2 Transition Year students out for the weekly litter pick. Unfortunately, once again, we came across a large amount of Fast-Food litter.
Afterwards we gathered for Coffee and a chat in the Plaza.
Pat collected 17 bags of litter plus bag of Glass, 1 bag of Plastic and 1 bag of Cans. This haul included items from our Volunteers who were out during the week.
DOING THEIR BIT
It was lovely to see people out cleaning their gardens and to see the residents of Maglin Estate carrying out a ‘Clean Up Morning’ and to see our neighbours from Ovens out in force doing a Litter Pick.
Every bit makes a difference.
ROUNDABOUT WORKS
On Saturday some Volunteers managed to get the first mulch of the grass on Poulavone Roundabout. This area is always a very important part of our work and already its beginning to take shape.
COOLROE MEADOWS
On Tuesday our CE/TUS workers started work on the roundabout in Coolroe Meadows where they cleaned the beds around it. The removal of weeds and edging of the beds were a priority.
Thursday morning Adrian and Thomas finished off weeding the roundabout in Coolroe Meadows. All sections are now completed and ready for planting.
This is a joint initiative between BTT and the Coolroe Meadows Residents Association. Their hard work has made a huge difference.
COUNT HER IN NATIONAL CONFERENCE
The conference will take place on the 26th of May in Cork City Concert Hall. The conference will run from 10.30am to 3.30pm with registration from 9.30am.
Bookings for the conference will open in the coming weeks. In the meantime, please save the date and spread the word. All political party leaders are being invited to attend or to send a senior representative.
Equality for Women for Election in 2024
In the lead in to the 2024 local elections a national conference is being held in Cork City to champion solutions to make politics more accessible, inclusive, safe, and equal for women across Ireland. With one year to the local elections in 2024 this conference will serve to focus attention of strategies and interventions to be scaled up to get more women elected in 2024.
This innovative conference will create the space for dynamic dialogues between participants and inspiring thought leaders to broaden understanding of solutions to help elect women equally in 2024.
The Count Her In Conference will showcase new innovations being launched by Women for Election including a new national datahub on Women in Politics and new research on ways to make politics more inclusive and accessible for women. The conference will create the space for dialogue, collaboration, and new thinking with a wide audience of women for election alumni, future candidates, political parties, elected local and national politicians, policy makers, business leaders, academics, students, and a diversity of civic society groups.
There will also be space created for the audience and in particular women with political ambition or interest to meet with political parties who will be invited to host information stands.
The conference is being organised by Women for Election in partnership with Cork City Council with support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
For further information please contact Caitriona Gleeson, CEO Women for Election
caitriona@womenforelection.ie and 087 6287153
CORK INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL
This week marks the return of the much-loved Cork International Choral Festival. Each of the City’s libraries are hosting a Choir on Thursday 27th or Friday 28th. Check out below what is available in your local branch for tomorrow Friday.
Ballincollig Library – Mixed Chamber Choir of Vilnius University Hospital Santara 12.00 pm Friday.
Bishopstown Library – Coro Infanto Juvenil da Universidade de Lisboa, 11.00 am Friday.
City Library – Dameskoor Furiosa 11.00 am Friday.
Glanmire Library – Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir, 3.00 pm Friday.
Tory Top Library – Chorale Abakiza, 2.00 pm Friday.
LGBTI+ AWARENESS WEEK 2023
Will be launched on Monday 15th May at 4.45pm in Cork City Hall (Atrium)
Events have been organized across the week in Cork City and Cork County. Some of the events include flag raisings, IDAHOBIT Day Seminar, film screenings, education & awareness sessions and a Rainbow Picnic on Saturday 20th May at the Marina Park.
The theme for the week is – Together Always – United in Diversity!
COUNTY MAYOR’S COMMUNITY AWARDS
Outstanding contributions made by individuals and community and voluntary groups across Cork County were showcased at the 10th Annual Mayor’s Community Awards. Cork County Mayor, Cllr. Danny Collins presented a total of 11 awards on the night. Barry Cogan from South Cork won the overall Individual award and Banteer Community Sportsfield CLG won the overall Community Group award. Mayor Collins warmly commended all nominees on the night for their commitment and dedication to their communities.
Barry Cogan, winner of the Overall Individual Mayor’s Community Award, is a passionate voluntary community activist, currently involved in over a dozen different community groups, many of them for several decades. His achievements are numerous and include chairman and co-founder of Carrigaline Men’s shed, co-founder of Carraig ag Caint and Croabh Conradh na Gaeilge, and founder of Aifreann Gaelach, a monthly Irish mass celebrated in Carrigaline on the 2nd Sunday of every month. A former Cork County Councillor, Teachta Dála, and member of Seanad Éireann, Barry’s vision and innovation continues to be of tremendous benefit to the Carrigaline Community.
Banteer Community Sportsfield CLG were winners of the Mayor’s Community Overall Group Award. Opened in January 2023 by Minister Heather Humphries, TD, Banteer Community Sportsfield was the culmination of 7 years of hard work from its concept in 2016. The project was delivered with the support of the Rural Regeneration Fund, IRD Duhallow, LEADER programme funding, Sports Capital Funds and Cork County Council, as well as trojan local fundraising efforts. The new regulation sized AstroTurf pitch and community building also includes changing rooms, toilets, facilities for persons with disabilities, spectator stand, museum, digital hub and café, and is a fabulous amenity for the community.
https://www.corkcoco.ie/
CORK COUNTY COUNCIL SEEKS PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ON NEW CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
Cork County Council is seeking public engagement on the first stage of a new Climate Action Plan for the county.
The consultation will inform how to best tackle the challenges posed by the changing climate, while working to meet national targets for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Please click on the link for more information.
VMWARE VOLUNTEERS
On Thursday morning we were delighted to welcome back VMware Volunteers. Eight of them worked with Ger weeding around the Hydrangeas on the Carrigrohane Road.
This area demands so much time and effort to get it in the best condition possible. After several hours of hard work and sweat the difference was incredible.
We are always so grateful to VMware for their continued support.
BIRD BOXES
Some of the bird boxes that were erected eight years ago fell apart when they were being cleaned.
Pat, one of our volunteers took the time to make replacements and on Thursday these were erected.
When the boxes were checked, it was apparent there was 100% usage.
While he was working Pat observed a ‘grey tit’ emerging from one of the old boxes.
Hopefully, the new boxes will prove just as popular for our feathered friends.
