Ballon Improvement Group

Chairperson        Maire George – 087 2424934

Secretary             Anita Dowling  – 087 9118320

Treasurer            Eileen Murphy -  9159447

 

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20/5/13

Tidiness    a special reminder for all – Tidy Town judging will take place in the first two weeks of June .  The Carlow Pride of Place judging takes place during July or August.  We have to be ullamh I gconaí.  Thanks to all the volunteers for picking up the rubbish etc etc.

Our most difficult conundrum has been how to discourage people from throwing their rubbish especially  Empty Coffee cups, cans, and empty chip and burger wrapping, cigarette butts along the roadsides and on  Ballon village streets, and how to discourage dog walkers from tossing those poop bags in our hedges, lane-ways, Ballon Hill Area, and village streets and footpaths. Even getting people to use Pooper Scoopers has been slow.

The following poem highlights the issue:

Remember that FREE pooper Scooper units are available at the Siopa Glas and from the Ballon Community Business Centre in the Old School.

SCOOP THAT POOP!

When you scoop the poop and bag it,

The job’s not over, no not at all!

There’s a place you’ve got to put it,

And it’s not up a tree.

The footpaths are not the place for it,

And neither is a hedge,

Or by the neighbour’s wooden fence,

Or underneath  our wildlife hedge.

No, you’ve got to find the nearest litter bin

Or take it home with you

And there carefully undo the bag

And flush it down the loo.

So, when walking your Irish Setter,Wolfhound,

pom or Lap Dog

Well, I don’t want to be a nag,

Ballon would look much better

If you’d just take home that bag.

Regarding cigarette butts,

The SAME  SAME  STORY does apply

Just take home your butts now  no butts!

13/5/13

Dawn Chorus Event

Sunday morning last at 05.45 at the Slí na Sceach a gathering of special people gathered in this special GATHERING YEAR and heard the first singing and twits of a beautiful May morning

The Blackbird was first but close behind came a pair of competing Robins.  Paul Culter our Bird Watch Ireland Expert and Head Gardener at Altamont give us a short account of the various strands of each section of the Chorus.  There was alto’s and soprano’s and more that sounded a bit mixed up!     None the less the event was blessed with a fine clear morning.   The Group took a walk around the wonderful Hedgerow of Kilbride.  Many of the local birds make homes and feed in these mini nature reserves.
The early Bird Breakfast at the Forge went down a treat and it was great to see locals and people young and old come along from Carlow Town and Bunclody.
The sing along after the Breakfast almost lived up to the Birds Chorus and went down a treat.
Much thanks to the Forge, Ballon Improvement Group and all who helped and participated in our great Gathering event    -   The DAWN CHORUS   -  2013.
Is Féidir Linn!

10/5/13

Invitation to Plant and seed Swap at Siopa Glas

Invitation in pdf format

8/5/13

Workshops began 7/5/13 at the old school and in the community garden in  Ballon.  Space for about two more participants.

25/4/13

Litter pickers on the 24/4/13. Why not give a hand to keep your village ‘Ship Shape and Bristol fashion’ ?

5/4/13

StopFoodWaste.ie

Loads of information on how to Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Ballon Improvement Group  would like to draw your attention to this website.
By following some of the guide lines you can save money.

29/3/13

Pictured here at the Launch of  Ballon ‘An Taisce’ Clean up Walk is Operation Transformation Leader Monica Percy with Seana Downey, Tadhg Downey, Stot Jestin, Colm Byrne, Calum Byrne, June Byrne, Kathleen Percy,

6/3/13

Ballon Improvement Group  AGM 27^th Feb 2013

Tasks and events  during 2012

 

Feb.  Announcement re Glór Heritage Award

March ;  Ceili at the School.  Patrick Day Parade

April   Litter pick up nights  with An Taisce

March/April  Flower Beds got make over

Road verges  cut  and maintained

Spraying, Painting, Planting, Weeding, Litter pick ups

Painted walls in village centre and telephone exchange

Power washed , traffic islands, walls and welcome stones

Garda Station Garden got a complete makeover.

Barrack Stream cleaned and sides strimmed

Wild shrubs sowed on banks

Fruit Trees planted at various locations

School Gardening Club workshops in Community/School Garden.

May  Applications sent into TT and Pride of Place.

Two Tus workers assigned to Village.

Clean up of shop to host our Siopa Glas

Siopa Glas opened at end of June with Coffee day

Eleven Volunteers  .

Five Coffee days for various charities held.  One per month approx..

Siopa Glas Project – huge success – thanks to the community for leaving in unwanted items

For resale. Community Spirit has been given a makeover and the results are  only fantastic.

End of June we had Bicycle Day in the Rain  with Teddy Bear Picnic

Very successful  Nature/Art camp in July. “Narture” Camp.

Aug.   Heritage Week –   Hedgeschool Event –  excellent.

Best New Green Bus award from Carlow Enterprise Board and Carlow Co Council

Art Project  . Funding provided by Carlow Co. Council.

New Flower bed put in place on Ballon Hill. Planting to be done for next season.

Gained    5 points in TT

Won overall award in Carlow P of P.

Best Street award, Penny P. Maple L – best small  rural estate.

Breakfast with Santa a huge success and hope to repeat.

Christmas Carols and switch on of Christmas light event.

New Led  lights in walkway, and much needed maintenance around back of Church

New footpath put in place linking  Village to Ballykealy Lane.

Provided assistance by way of insurance and office facility for the Operation Transformation Group.

We thanks all the volunteers who helped out in the village and the many people that picked up litter on the approach roads into the village.  Thanks to all the Siopa Glas  volunteers, Tus Workers, Fas Workers , Eileen at BBS, Michael Martin for Web site, Michael Dawson  for Nationalist Notes.

Thanks to fellow committee members for all the work done during 2013

No changes to the positions on the Committee for 2013

Chairperson:  Máire George

Secretary:   Anita Nolan

Treasurer:   Eileen Murphy.

19/2/13

Walk on the Dry Side

Thanks to Joe Cummins  for the excellent work and to Carlow County Council for funding a portion of the materials. This project was completed with funding from Siopa Glas via Ballon Improvement group.

14/2/13

See Local News for Siopa Glas

11/2/13

Ballon Improvement Group  request that gardeners give some divisions of  perennial plants to help with planting schemes in and around Ballon village.  Now is the perfect time to lift and divide various plants.  Please leave into Siopa Glas any time Mon to Sat from 10am to 5pm.  This action will also help to gain us some extra  marks in the Waste Minimisation Section of Tidy Towns.

 

28/1/13

Now is the time to think of putting up a nest box. Great selection available at Siopa Glas.

 

Our large colourful Birdboxes have been adjusted and bottoms can be removed for cleaning.

We also have small tidy bird feeding table @ 5 E each.

23/12/12

Santa sees double, twice

Poor Santa got a bit confused when the Maher quads paid a visit for breakfast with Santa yesterday at Siopa Glas.

22/12/12

The students who designed the artistic and imaginative Christmas cards were presented with a medal for their endeavors.

Seen here with teacher Bernie Mullins and Máire George of BIG.

17/12/12

YouTube Version of Breakfast with Santa

It took 6 hours to upload a 6 minute video? -  I think I’ll move to Zurich !

16/12/12

Siopa Glas has arranged a Breakfast with Santa adventure for children and parents. It started off on Saturday with Santa and his Elves cycling into the village from the garda station to the shop. There, all were treated to a full Irish breakfast with Santa. Then to the craft area where the children decorated ginger bread men. Then into the magically decorated grotto for a sing song and a present from Santa. The planning and work that went into this was superb. Máire will give credit later I’m sure as it’s been a fine example of volunteering giving the ‘spirit of Christmas’ a new meaning.

A fuller version on YouTube will be available soon. But here’s a few pictures to capture the event.

8/12/12

Kathleen, Breda & Jackie put on a superb table for the Carers appeal today

Margaret Carlin and Marian Doyle display their Christmas creations in Siopa Glas

30/11/12

Be wise this season like Owlie

See the resident male African Spotted Eagle Owl at Siopa Glas and think of a suitable name for the bird.

It’s advice, at this time, is to take advantage of the new Gift Voucher available in the shop. Buy these, at the value of your choice, for friends, family and stocking fillers. It’s great fun shopping here as the variety of goods available is amazing.

And don’t forget if you have a letter for Santa there is a special postbox for him and his helpers at the shop.

 

17/11/12

Siopa Glas hosts an event for Carlow Cancer Support Group. Margaret Carlin hosted the event supported by Siopa Glas volunteers.

15/11/12

Bridal Party visit Siopa Glas

 

Bride, (Veronica Higginson), Groom (James Connolly), Bridemaid, (Edel Kennedy)

Pursue some bargains in Siopa Glas after the wedding last Friday.

(I know the little pics. are not correct. I blame the software for its vagaries. Big pics are OK though))

13/11/12

Eco Siopa Glas Fashion Show took place at Ballykealey Manor Hotel, Ballon on Friday the 9th November 2012.

Serene as the models looked as they glided down the catwalk, behind the scenes was a whirlwind of activity. Backstage coordinators, show directors and all round wonder women Helen Castle, Kathleen Percy and Breda Wray succeeded in producing a super fashion show.  The models looked stunning and seemed to wallow in the excitement.  The event was very well supported and the audience were fantastic.
The first ever fashion show from the Ballon Siopa Glas was an outstanding success.
“Bertie” (none other than Bernie Mullins) – We thought that he had gone away but no!  He was back with us and  did a fantastic job as MC.
Siopa Glas opened in Ballon just a few months ago. The shop is stocked entirely by donated items from members of the community.  This show gave us a platform to showcase the high standard of fashion items available at the shop.
This fashion extravaganza proved that you can turn into a fashion icon without paying a heavy price tag.

The introduction of some variety acts before and after the interval went down a treat. The entire collection shown by our models were donated to Siopa Glas.  The elegant garments showcased were specially chosen by previous owners, loved, and now through our recycling project will have a second life.    Great credit has to be given to the entire team of volunteers that spared no effort in putting different looks together.  Bold, bright, solid colours were seen with plenty splashes of black. Second half of the show gave us Casual wear and a Handbag section.   Mary Jordan of the Forge must have had some nostalgic moments when she witnessed her much loved   vintage wedding dress floating down the catwalk. Veronica Higginson looking stunning as the young bride.  Edel Kennedy really did justice to the bridesmaid dress of mauve crushed silk. Our Groom, James Connolly looked very spritely.  His dashing evening jacket was a Margaret Buggy creation. Siopa Glas will take orders for trendy jackets of this type! Donations in lieu!   Siopa Glas is promoting fashion from the past but is fast forwarding into the future as well. So be on board with our award winning team and keep up with the trends.
It is said “a picture tells a thousand words “and Michael Martin has proved this.  Our models, nineteen in total looked radiant and a full flavour of the show can be seen at www.ballonvillage.com. Thanks Michael.
Maureen Coleman won of the best dressed lady award and Gerry Maher the best dressed man.
Proceeds from the event were divided with Siopa Glas and Ballon National School.
MC:  Bernie Mullins
Models were:
Mary Fleming, Sinead Abbey, Una Murphy, Cliona McGagh, Ysobel Castle, Ciara Quirke,   Edel Kennedy, Betty Nolan, Veronica Higginson, Sabrina Doyle, Annette Flynn, Kathleen Condron, Marion Nolan, Kathleen Abbey, Linda Caffrey,  Vera Lomax , Dervla Flynn, and James Connolly
Entertainers:
Drama : Peter O’Neill and Leslie Dunne
Singer: Bridget Larkin
Story Teller: Mary Dunne
Irish Dancers: Amy Maloney and Aoibhe Connolly
Stage construction: Paul Cummins
Sound:   Ashley Flynn
Props and Lightning: Jim George
Transport: Alistair Castle
Director: Helen Castle assisted by Breda Wray and Kathleen Percy.
Back stage assistants: Helen Nolan, Máire George and all  the Models.
Flowers arrangements: Jackie Nolan and Margaret Lalor
Printing: Eileen Murphy, Ballon Business Services
Sponsors of Prizes:  Mount Wolsely Hotel, The Lord Bagenal, Michael Eustace , Helen Nolan,   Teachers and Staff  of Ballon School, Sam McCawleys, Jones Business Systems, Centra, Ballon , Linda Kenny, Permanent TSB, Angez Hair Salon.  Many thanks to all our Sponsors.
Ballon Improvement Group and Ballon National School  says “ thanks everyone who helped make the event an outstanding success”.
Go mbeimíd beó ag an am seo aris!

PS. Siopa Glas is open from 10am to 5pm. Tuesday to Saturday.
Come along, enjoy some retail therapy and meet old friends and new friends and even have a cuppa!

Note by web guy. As of midnight 12/11/12 the show attracted 895 page views on the village web site.

PS 15/11/12

Philip Tracy Hats supplied by Maretta Doran

Other Sponsors: Rathwood, The Dome, Carlow.

10/11/12

Fashion Show last night at Ballykealey Manor Hotel

This show jointed hosted by BIG, Ballon National School and Siopa Glás was to raise funds for village enhancement. A capacity audience was entranced by the style and flair of the models. (Full narrative later – but, meanwhile enjoy the pics)

 

2/11/12

Ballon Hill Heritage Project

Following aspects of the Village Plan a start is being made on this project.

Community artist Nórirín O’Brien was approached and she presented five options to BIG and murals depicting the archeological heritage of Ballon Hill were chosen. Excavation were carried out 1852 to 1854. See details here.

Margaret Nolan of BIG enabled a grant from Carlow C.C towards the project and sees this as a premier to future workshops.

Shown left to right in the atelier of Siopa Glas are:

Magaret Nolan – BIG, Nóirín O’Brien – Community Artist,

and young artists Doran Traylor, Gráinne Mullins, Caithlin Doyle and Aisha Mullins.

Nóirín O’Brien can be contacted at 087 2311173

 

25/10/12

Steamrolling to success

Last night at Mount Wolseley Carlow County Council held its annual award winning ceremony for the Pride of Place competitions.

Some BIG members and Ballon NS together with Council members.

Picture with thanks to Leonie Fisher

Ballon for the first time in its history was the county overall winner.

There is a truly remarkable achievement and the following awards were also received..

Overall winners in the category of 500 to 1000 population.

Main Street award.

Penny Pinchers – Siopa Glas

Maple lawn – Borris electoral area.

Congratulations to BIG and all who contributed to village enhancement. No mean achievement.

Read also the declaration by CCC Pride of Place

 

21/10/12

Green Business Award for our Siopa Glas
The Innovate Carlow Start Up & Business  Awards 2012 hosted by the Carlow Enterprise Board.
Best Green Business Award  sponsored by Carlow County Council.
It was  fantastic  yesterday at the Seven Oaks Hotel in Carlow  to accept the Best Green Business Award 2012 on
behalf of Glór Bhalana and Ballon Improvement Group from the Minister of the Environment Phil Hogan.
Ballon has been blessed with a fantastic community spirit.  All of the Siopa Glas volunteers can be proud of
their achievements in making the Siopa what it is to-day.  Pages could be filled with all the wonderful community
events that have taken place since the door opened at the end of last June. Just check the facebook pages for
updates.

We thank everyone who has contributed in any way to great success of Siopa Glas.  A special thanks to our Tus
workers.  The support we receive from individuals and business enterprises is simply wonderful. The quality and
quantity continue to amaze every single day.  Well done to all.  Ag agaidh linn! Is feidir linn!

At Siopa Glas on Saturday collecting for Down Syndrome Charity

Breda Wray, Marion Doyle, Margaret Carlin, Kathleen Percy

4/10/12

Siopa Glas now has a special Facebook page .

Keep up to-day with what is going on at the Siopa Glas.  Check into the newly launched Facebook page and like us.

11/9/12

Tidy Towns Report

10/9/12

Tailor made bird boxes for Ballon at Siopa Glas

1/9/12

BIG held a fundraiser for the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation in Siopa Glas today. Tea, Coffee and a  range of homemade cakes were in abundance. The bonus was that everyone got  a hug. I was never hugged by a blonde on Ballon’s main street before and it is a pleasurable experience.

There were hugs aplenty.

The Maher quads were seen making their weekly shop and another set of ‘quads’ joined them.

 

26/8/12

Heritage Week event 2012

Hedge School at Slí na Sceach, The Forge, Kilbride.

Ballon Improvement Group and Ghlór Bhalana marked Heritage Week 2012 with a very novel event held at the Forge Restaurant and Walk Way on Saturday last August 25th 2012.  The event was bi-lingual.

A 19th Century Hedge School (Scoil Scairta) was recreated at The Forge and children from the locality were invited to attend and travel back in time to the  1840s in Ireland. The children were dressed in clothes typical of the period and arrived to the Hedge School barefoot, without school bags, writing materials or books.

The class was led by the Hedge School Mháistreás Bríd Ní Fhiannaí from Myshall who did a wonderful job recreating the atmosphere of an now ancient way of life. Slates with charcoal were used instead of pencil and paper, fern leaves doubled up as a latter day abacus, stones helped the pupils to tap out the beat of the music, old strands of wool were put to use to make home made dolls and teddies.

Bríd brought the children on a grand tour of the Walk Way/ Sli Na Sceach at the Forge pointing out the many traditional trees and plants and gathering blackberries on the way.

A shower of rain forced the Hedge School into a nearby natural shelter provided by birch trees that have formed a cave like structure. The School Day was shortened by the clever and entertaining story telling skills of Bríd who had no difficulty holding the attention of her pupils teaching them how to ‘shorten the road’ !

A survey carried out in 1824 revealed   there were 9,300 Hedge Schools in Ireland at that time with approximately 400,000 students in attendance.

Glór Bhalana and Ballon Improvement Group would like to thank the many people who helped to make this venture such a success.

For live coverage of the event please click below

YouTube Heritage Week in Ballon

19/8/12

13/7/12

Teddy gets a rest in his seventies style pram at Siopa Glas

Pictured at Siopa Glas on 12th July are some of the volunteers Ciara Buckley,  Jacqueline Nolan, Breda Wray.  Our local shop in aid of Ballon tidy towns is going  very well. Great thanks is due to all members of the community who are donating quality items.  Thanks too to the dedicated volunteers.  We have space for more so if ypu have a.spare few hours once a week do come along.

26/6/12

Máire with TUS workers Paul Raleigh and Niall Smith with new bicycle rack at Ballon N.S.

25/6/12

Ballon Bike Week Nature Cycle hosted by Ballon Improvement Group

Saturday 23rd June and the fine weather deserted us.  However our third annual Bike Week Event was one of the best.

Young and old turned out and the event was enjoyed by all.  Thanks to all who came along.  The Teddy Bear picnic had to be held in the ballroom of Ballykealy Hotel.  A nature dance, nature colouring, find the hidden Teddies in the trees and party pieces by the children were among the fun items held.

Our local Guard Mick Egan provided all with yellow safety jackets.

Lets all hope that it will not be too long before we get cycle lanes through Ballon.

Assistance for this event was provided through Carlow County Council and the event was held as part of Bike week 2012.

Also of note is that Bicycle Stands are now in place at Ballon National school.

12/6/12

Our  Tús Workers  have made a big difference to the village since their arrival.
They played a big part in enabling the Siopa Glas to open.
We would like to thank Leader and each and everybody including our great local volunteers for all the excellent work.

Tús maith leat na hoibre!   This is certainly true in this case. Ar agaidh linn! Is feidir linn!

Thanks  to all who have given donations of Fashion Items, curios,brick-a-brack, furniture, plants etc.
Ballon school uniforms would be especially welcome during the next few weeks.

31/5/12

Some dreams do come true!    It happened  in Ballon at last Saturday the 26th June when the ‘Siopa Glas’ opened.

Marion Nolan cut the tape and said ‘”How delighted she was to see her former home and place of business now going to be used as a ‘Good as New” shop for good of all  the Community’.  The shop had a very busy first day.. The sun shone. The coffee, tea and home made cakes  were enjoyed  and we made some money for the Carlow, Kilkenny Homecare Team.

The aim of the’ Siopa Glas’ is to minimise waste and give a friendly service with opportunity to  get high quality clothes, furniture, household items,books and vintage items  at knock down prices.
All proceeds will go towards the enhancement of  Ballon Village.
All items for sale have been donated and it is a great opportunity to meet new friends through volunteering.
The shop will also  provide work experience opportunities.
The shop will open from ten in the morning until four pm on  Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Produce from the Ballon Organic Community Garden for sale.
A great new Community drop in centre for young and old.

So if you are looking for that special gift do drop in to see us at the’ Siopa Glas’
Browsers very welcome. Is Féidir linn!

Ballon Improvement Group would like to thank all who helped  to establish the ‘ Siopa Glas, Balana.

Máire George,  087 2424934

26/5/12

Today, under Mediterranean conditions, Siopa Glas opened its door to the public encompassing also a fund raising venture on behalf of Carlow/Kilkenny Homecare Team.

The shop sign is an invitation to Mary Poppins (We have one in the village as a back up) to spread some magic powder over the village and the shop in fundraising activities for village enhancement.

Marian Nolan did the honours in cutting the ribbon………..

….with encouragement and support from  the many helpers.

The shop has an amazing variety of articles at a price to suit all pockets. This picture shows about a third of that on offer. All sales go to village enhancement pojects and there are many under way and in the pipeline.

There were refreshments galore, all home made, available in the lounge, kitchen and garden areas of the house.

A lot of people put and lot of effort into this project and volunteers have come forth to man? – woman the shop – in the months ahead. So if you need that something special for that someone special, Siopa Glas might be a first stop.

PS The much vaunted ‘time lapse’ photography didn’t vaunt. ‘Tis the camera man’s mistook!

This was a successful first run with encouraging revenue intake for the shop and the Homecare Team.

 

 

19/5/12 Siopa Glas poster competion winners

26/4/12

Wedensday evening work evenings all through May and June.
Ballon Improvement Group invite you to  pickup litter, clean, sweep, weed  all through the village each Wedensday evening from 7pm.  Of course feel free to pick up litter, clean, sweep and weed at any other time.
These Wedensday evening work nights will continue until the end of June.

Ballon Community Garden located in front of Ballon school will be open each Wedensday evening  from 7pm Volunteers welcome.

Swap Shop
A swap shop for plants and seeds will operate at the Community Garden   So if anybody has young vegetable plants or seeds to swap please bring them along.

Siopa Glas 
Ballon Improvement Group’s  shop of all pre- owned good quality items will open on Saturday the 19th May
at Main St. in Ballon.
Donations of bric a brack, good quality used chothes and garden items including plants will be very welcome.  Please bring along any  Wedensday evening or leave into Eileen at the Old School in Ballon.
We are still looking for more  volunteers to run the shop so please leave your contact number into Eileen or contact
Breda at 087 7820211.

Tus Workers
Under a special scheme via Leader  we have two new Tus Workers for the Village. Tus Workers will not be replacing the Fas workers but will undertake differents tasks and are very welcome.

25/4/12 Green Shop

See flyer here Siopa Glas Poster

 

19/4/12

Last night BIG held its first mass litter pick-up. A musical pick-up. The first of its kind. Who wil bea them for imagination?

Don’t leave it to the few though. Everyone should give a hand however small.

Bernie and Máire get the gig going

 

 

28/3/12

BIG get support from the school 2012 gardening group

Some of the new gardeners with Máire George, Breda Wray and Bernie Mullins.

The school Gardening Club planted potatoes, onion sets, parsley and lettuce during the Gardín Orgánach cheardlainn
yesterday 27th March.   The club will earth up the potatoes as soon as the first shoots appear.  Potato day at the school will be just before the summer holidays.

21/3/12

Tomorrow is World Water Day.

It’s very important.

Click here to get some ideas

2/3/12

AGM of Ballon Improvement Group Wed. 29th Feb 2012

BIG meeting was well attended.  The same Committee was returned for another year.

The year 2011 was a very busy one.  Highlights were St. Patricks Day Parade, Completion of a Landscape Plan for Ballon, Winning all Ireland award with Glór na nGael. Sucess with the new Organic Garden at Ballon National School.  Our motto for the future is   Is Feidir Linn!

23/12/11

Go raibh síocháin na Nollag agus Bliain Nua faoi shéan’s faoi shonas ort ‘s ar do mhuintir.

May the peace of Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year be with you and yours

Go mbeirimid uile beo ar an am seo aris.

May we all be here this time again:   Seanfhocal.

Thanks to all who helped in any way with Ballon Improvement Group, Ballon Tidy Village, Glór Bhalana.

We had a wonderful 2011.

12/12/11

Yesterday BIG hosted its 3rd annual Christmas Fair as a fund raising activity for village enhancement. They had Santa with lots of gifts, Prancer with plenty of licks, Wise owls, Penguins, Elves and Santa’s helpers. Santa was led through the hall by the KHA childrens choir accompanied by John and Colm.

The Choir – linked to YouTube – and some of the shoppers

2/12/11

Sean O’Brien world cup super rugby star pictured here with the KHA choir at Ballon National School.

Excitment was at fever pitch on Thursday morning  1st December when word spread around the school that Sean O’ Brien was coming to launch the 2011 Ballon Christmas Fair. It was just fantastic when Sean arrived bang on two o clock.  Ballon Improvement Group would never have imagined in their wildest dreams that they would have a Rugby star of such high renoun arrive to launch their Christmas Fair.

Breda Wray, Sean O’Brien, Máire George, Barbara Jordan , Bernie Mullins

The fair this time will have many new attractions which includes an OWL display, Kitty’s vintage tea party, make up and massage opportunities. So come along any time on Sunday the 11th December from twelve to five pm  and taste  some of the many local artisan foods. Many beautiful local crafts will be on display and for sale. The school KHA group will have a huge bric- a- brack stall and will also have the special Christmas cards created by the pupils. Proceeds go to the KHA mission and to Vincent de Paul.

Highlight of the Fair will be the arrival of Santa at 2.30pm. Reindeer Dancer will be along as well and the KHA School Choir and Carlow Wren Boys will lead Santa in a parade around the Fair. So boys and girls come along and meet Santa, Dancer,and the Owls and have your picture taken and have a special memento to take home with you. Ballon Improvement group and Ballon National School would like to extend their special thanks to Sean O Brien for coming along to launch the 2011 Christmas Fair.  He truly is a huge local hero. Go néirí an bhothair linn go léir!

27/11/11

Check this link. www.greenhome.ie . It has loads of information on waste minimisation. Ballon Improvement Group recommends that members of our Community follow the guidelines in this web site and so minimise the waste that has to go to landfill. ps.   20 marks in Waste Minimisation section for TT.

22/11/11 – Tree Planting

Here are some ideas for tree planting for posterity. Grow your own Trees

21/10/11 -  A Troika of success

Carlow County Council Pride of Place, Floral Pride and Litter League awards for 2011 were announced last night the 20th Oct. Three awards came to our area. Ballon Village got first place and a Cheque for €800 in the  500 – 1000 population  category. In the Litter League, Maple Lawn took first place and a €400 prize in the small estate section. Ballon N.S. scooped the second place award and €300 in the School Section. Given that the standard of planting, decoration, and general appearances of all  areas entered in the competition has risen so much Ballon can be very proud of  achievements in 2011. The continuation of good team work, by our volunteers and fas workers, is vital for our programme for the future.  Thanks is due to all our committee, sponsors, helpers and web guy.  2011 has been a great year for Ballon and the village church, private houses, buildings and businesses never looked so well. The interior of the Graveyard on the Bunclody road has been manicured to the last.  Well done and thanks to all who helped in and around the Village. Is Féidir linn  -    Our aim for next year will be to win the overall prize in Carlow Pride of Place competition.

19/10/11

Pumpkin fun in the Community garden

12/10/11 – Novel Bird Feeders

Coconut Shell Bird Feeders

7/10/11 – New school garden group

Ballon School Gardening Club commenced activities for the school year 2011-12 today Friday  the seventh of October. This is the first time that Ballon Improvement Group were able to start work at this time of the year in the Community/School  Garden. It is simply fantastic to have the amenity and to be able to share the experience of planting, weeding, sowing and to sow the seeds for future generations. Anybody who would like to volunteer some time to help would be most welcome. Just contact any Ballon Improvement member or come along to our next meeting which will be on Wednesday the 26th Oct in the old school at 8pm. Jamie Hutton, John Jacob, Orla Kenny, Ava Whelan,Sarah Cummims, Sarah Bermingham, Anna Tracey, Aoife Lawlor, Raena Maye, Áine Kennedy.

5/9/11

Tidy Towns Adjudication report for Ballon

The report is very complimentary yet the marks gained, 5 in all, don’t appear to reflect the great improvements made since last year. With an overall mark of 260 out of 400 it shows there is a long way to go to reach the winner’s mark of 310. The higher up the ladder you are the harder it is to get to the next rung. However, it is a great result and we are pleased with it. The Carlow Category B  pecking order is as show.. Clonegal……………305 Rathvilly…………….283 Myshall……………..282 Ballon ……………..260 Tinryland…………..246 Fenagh……………240 Kildavin……………235 Ballinabranna……228 Old Leighlin………228 There is a one mark increase for Overall Development, Landscaping and Wildlife & natural amenities. And a two mark increase for waste minimisation. The remaining six categories stayed the same.

29/8/11

The second fund-raising summer BBQ was held yesterday in the school grounds. There was a good turn out for the occasion and some of the supporters are shown in the gallery below. Congratulations has to be given to the variety and quality of the food – great taste, great value. The music and song and dance got the feet a’dancing and the hands a’clapping. More coverage on this later.

27/8/11

Heritage Day in Ballon

24/8/11

Village plan, BBQ and National Heritage Week all in this flyer Landscape Plan Press Release etc

8/8/11

A fund raising Céilí was held in the Community Centre last night.

Peter O’Neill (Feár an Ti), Jackie Nolan, Eileen Murphy, Tight ó Murchú

Maire George (BIG Chairperson)

Tight cycled to the Céilí from Monasterevan,Co. Kildare.

It is a long time since anybody came that distance by bicycle to a dance in Ballon ! Báil ó Dhia ar an obair, an róthaiocht agus an damhsa.

(means God bless the work, the dance and the cycle)

Watch a YouTube clip here

7/7/11

Butterfly spotting one – open and print it from this link  Butterflies One Butterfly spotting two- open and print it from this link  Butterflies Two BIG Newsletter – open and print it from this link Newsletter Issue 3, July 2011

29/6/11 – An Focal Moltach

Card by Margaret Lalor

28/6/11 – School/BIG Community garden

Today the proof of the pudding was in the eating. BIG brought the cooker and the kids brought their appetites. Maidin ag piocadh agus ithe na Prataí blasta orgánacha.

19/6/11

See the fun cycle  on YouTube

15/6/11

List of Garden produce in Community/School garden

12/6/11

Link to National Heritage Week Event in Ballon

26/5/11 – Garda Garden

Yesterday evening some members planted patches of wild flower seeds in the recently prepared garden attached to the  Garda station. BIG is pleased with the support shown by the garda in getting this mini jungle into a workable state for future projects and it does enhance the garda station which is an architectural gem in granite stone. There is one more identical station in the country.

18/5/11 – Flower Competition Form

Ballon in Bloom 2011

5/5/11 – Update

Our BIG meeting went very well last night4/5/11.  Large attendance.

We finalised plans for the” Dawn Chorus” event,  Maidin le na heininí le muintir na háite agus éanna ní Lamhna ó “Mooney Goes Wild” Final names for the event are being taken to-day and tomorrow. Eary bird breakfast to be booked at the “Forge”. All we need now is a good dry morning. The event is to be on Radio one live from Altamont so if you cannot be there in person and have access to a radio from 4.30 ar maidin Dé Domhnaigh an 8ú lá de Bealtainne is feidin leat bí linn!!!!  It is going to be majical do not miss it. Our motto:   IS FEIDIR LINN   (WE CAN) BIG Newsletter Issue 2

15/4/11 Community/School Garden – See also http://www.giyireland.com

The garden is making great progress and at it’s new site can be seen when walking by. As much as possible is made from recycled materials and all is organic. The children are showing great interest and helping to maintain it under supervision.

16/3/11

Ballon National School through BIG learn a few steps for tomorrow’s parade.

11/3/11 – Ballon Organic Community Garden

Ballon Organic Community Garden /  Gairdín Phobal Orgánach Bhalána Our Organic Community Garden is moving to the school grounds. We are really very excited about this and having the community garden so accessible to all will be fantastic. Anybody interested in helping out over the spring and summer months contact the web site or  any of the Ballon Improvement Group members. It will be a community Garden and BIG would welcome any ideas or suggestions for the coming season.

4/3/11 – Balána Seachtain Na Gaeilge 2011

Seachtain na Gaeilge Poster Balana

3/3/11 – Balána, Co. Cheatharlach.Seachtain na Gaeilge:

Balána, Co. Cheatharlach.Seachtain na Gaeilge: Tá clár iontach leaghadh amach againn do i Seachtain na Gaeilge 2011 anseo i mBalána.  Arís beidh eolas ar gach rud a bheidh ar siúl ar an suíomh idirlín.

Ag tosnú ar an 9ú Lá Dé  Máirt de Mhí na Márta beidh Ranganna Gaeilge do dhaoine Fásta.  .

Chomórtas cártaí dhátheangach sa scoil Peadar agus Pól.  Beidh  taispeántais na cartaí faoi lán shoe lTrí an samhraidh. Beidh coipeanna de na cartáí le diol sna siopaí aitiúla. Satharn an 12 Márta. Ag 11.00 Ceardlinn Camánaíochta ag Faiche na gCoileach Comhrac. 12ú ag 3.30pm Lainseáil Glór na nGael Bhalána do 2011 Trátnóna  Caife.   Fáilte roimh gach éinne.

Lá le Padraig

Séipéal Peadar agus Pól Aifreann as Gaeilge leis an sagart paróiste an tAthair Breandain Ó hOibeard ag a 11.00 . Beidh ár chór ag cannadh chuid de’n aifreann a chum Seán O Riada. Beidh cúpán tae/cáife le soláiste le fail san Ionad Phároiste ina diadh an Aifreann. Beidh alán Gaeilge le chlosaint  anseo agus spraoí na Féile ann.Beidh fáilte roimh cách. An Mórshiúl ag 4.00pm Beidh Mórshiúl againn i mBalána ag 4.00. Beidh deis ag daoine duais a bhaint amach má usáideanna siad Gaeilge. Soláistí san Sean Scoil  I ndiadh an Paráid.  Beidh óiche mór Gaelach chois tine ag tosnú ansin. Beidh an spraoí go dtí deanach le seiteanna, damsha fíor ceilí, damhsa ar an sean nós, aráiniocht traidisiúnta, ceol, craic, scéalaíocht.

2/3/11  - Glór Bhalána seachtain na Gaeilge

Seachtain na Gaeilge Poster

28/2/11 – Féile na Gaeilge

Féile na Gaeilge 2011

18/2/11 – Waste Minimisation

Let us all try harder this year and think before we buy, make the best use of leftovers and if possible turn the waste into compost.

The compost then can be used to grow your own vegetable and fruit. Ballon Improvement Group hope to have a community Garden again in 2011.  We are awaiting the final permission for use of the Ballon Garda Station Garden.

We take this opportunity to thank Paul Kavanagh for use of his Garden in 2010.

See all the info. in this link Foodwaste presentation 2011

17/2/11 Snowdrop week in Altamont

Some BIG members with guests enjoy the snowdrops in Altamont Gardens

IS FEIDIR LINN !!!!!!!!!! YES WE CAN

BALLON WINS GLÓR na nGAEL NATIONAL AWARD There’s a cheque for €1,500 winging its way to Ballon Improvement Group after the village scooped the prize for ‘best new entry’ in the Glòr na nGael national competition for the promotion of the Irish language. Those who enjoy the cùpla focail and have attended the many events organised by Glòr Bhalàna since its foundation less than a year ago will be delighted that Glòr Bhalana has been awarded the prize for the best new entry 2010 following tough scrutiny by judges from Glòr na nGael headquarters back in November. The competition was judged on how the Group had promoted the use of Gaeilge over the last year. The Awards Ceremony will be held in Carlton House, Maynooth on 16 April. Glòr Bhalàna, which is a sub-committee of Ballon Improvement Group, was founded and supported by local people interested in speaking and hearing spoken Irish in the area. Over the past year many events and activities have been organised including coffee mornings/maidin caife, card making competitions/comortas cartai, ranganna gaeilge, Irish Classes, Aifreann as Gaeilge, óicheanta traidisiùnta, Mòrshiul Là Le Padraig, Nuachlitir Bhalàna, agus Cèili Mòr sa Scoil Naomh Peadar agus Pòl. Information on all Glòr activities is posted on the village website www.ballonvillage.com. Responding to this very exciting win Maire George, chairperson of Glòr Bhàlana said that it was an incredible achievement for Ballon in such a short space of time. She added that the prizemoney will be used to do further work to promote spoken Irish in the locality. Mìle buichas to all those who facilitated the promotion of the language and supported our events, she concluded. This award is the second National Award won by the Group in 2010 having already won ‘Can It’ in The National Tidy Towns Competition.

5/2/11 – Bhí an Mhaidin Caife Gaelach  go hálainn.

Seachtain na bPlúiríní Sneachta i nGairdíní Altamont

Snowdrop_Week_2011_Poster

14/1/11 Dog poo and litter

Carlow County Council have kindly swept all the grit needed for the recent bad weather off the footpaths in Ballon.  Now it has come to many peoples notice that more and more dog dirt is being deposited on our footpaths.  The dog walkers are not acting responsibly.

This might not apply to all the Ballon people who exercise their canine friends up and down our footpaths. Others have to daily use these footpaths. Please clear up the mess your dog can leave on our footpaths. We are taking part in the forthcoming Litter League and would like to remind everyone to do their bit around Ballon.  If you see any litter ie.  papers, coffee cups, cans, bottles,  cigerette butts, etc please pick them up. We ask people not to throw litter of any kind around.  We thanks all the residents in Ballon for keeping the front of their premises litter free.  Maith agaibh go leir.

 

9/1/11 – Continue our War on Litterers kids (and adults)

 

Eanair January Look after the birds.  This is a hard winter for them.

1/1/11 -  A Happy New Year to all our Viewers

31/12/10 – Brush up on the Gaeilge

Phrase: Let’s go outside to listen to the New Year bells Irish: gabhmaid amach chun éisteacht le chloiginí na h-athbhliana Pronunciation: goh-muidh ah-mokh khun aysh-thokhth leh khlig-een-ee nah hah-vleen-ah Phrase: May we be alive at this time next year Irish: Go mbeire muid beo ar an am seo arís Pronunciation: go merr-ih-meedh bee-oh err on om shioh ah-reesh Phrase: A prosperous New Year to you (singular/plural) Irish: Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit/dhíbh Pronunciation: ah-vleen fwee wash-eh gwich/yeev