Tinahely Women’s Network

As you know the “Big Freeze” put an end to our January meeting. Since before Christmas Mother Nature has challenged our patience, coping skills, resilience and certainly reminded us of how resourceful we are. It would be great if you had time to email your experiences of how you coped during the freeze, and with your permission, we would share them with other members. Email to dolorescullen@eircom.net

You may remember during our October meeting Tina Mouritzen spoke to members about a proposed TWN Art for Children project and from a show of hands, the majority of members were in favour. Before progressing with the proposal the committee still had to check out a few details.

It was our intention to inform members of our decision, but, with the celebrations in November followed by the Christmas party, the timing was not appropriate. Since that meeting, we have sought legal advice, sought advice from an International Human Resources Manager who worked with a Children’s Charity, checked our insurance policy, and carefully studied TWN mission statement and goals. The committee was also reminded that the small print on the application form for funding from the Wicklow Rural Partnership states that the allocation of funding was given on condition that the money was used for projects for women. Should we make a further application for a grant we may be asked to list the projects we carried out, and projects which involve children may hinder our chances of receiving future grants.

We have listened to, and heeded the advice from the professionals and ensured at all times that Tina knew of our concerns. The committee have decided that Art for Children would not be an appropriate TWN project.

FEBRUARY 1ST

FIRST DAY OF SPRING

CORE Group; Irene, Madge, Helen Mc. & Mary S.
The ICA celebrates its centenary this year, and the members of the Tinahely Guild have accepted our invitation to tell us about its history and development. They will tell us about the important role the Guild plays in our community. Have some fun by taking part in the ICA competition of the night by bringing your ‘Best dressed wooden spoon’. There will be prizes too. This promises to an informative and no doubt an entertaining evening.

TWN will be presenting them with a cheque for €150.00 which is our annual donation.

Don’t forget Bring Something – Take Something. If you have books or anything you have enjoyed and now feel you would like other women to enjoy owning, then bring them along. If however, they are not taken by the end of the evening, you must take them back home with you.

MARCH 8TH
International Women’s Day
Let’s start the celebrations early by attending a short play “THE WORLD’S WIFE” by Carol Ann Duffy, on Saturday 6th February at 8.30 p.m. Block booking of thirty members means the price will be reduced from €15/14/13 to €10. This price only applies to TWN members.

Female figures from the worlds of myth, fairy tales and history finally get a word in “The Worlds Wife”; a playful stage show based on the poetry collection by
Carol Ann Duffy (U.K.Poet Laureate). Further details at our February meeting.

The Arts Committee are working on the schedule and programme for I.W.D. Details will be announced during the February Meeting. We will need as many members as possible to get involved.

APRIL 12TH
April 5th is Easter Monday, so our meeting will be held on the above date.

Let’s make a second attempt to have our “Health Check” meeting. This is an important subject and should be included in our calendar of events.

Are the core group who volunteered for the January available for this meeting? Please, let us know.

MAY 10th A.G.M.

* * * *

TWN WEB PAGE
Check our mission statement and goals. It ensures we keep focused. As usual we look forward to receiving your comments, feedback is very important. Address blog http/twn.blogs.ie

GOOD NETWORKING
A little help needed this month. Sadie is indisposed, so if you know a member who receives the newsletter by post, could you please pass on a copy of the newsletter

Looking forward to seeing you all at 8.30.p.m

Dolores, Olive, Grania, Sadie & Avril

Once again, the feedback from the Christmas party has been very positive, so a sincere “Thank You” to the core group and other women who spent quite an amount of time ensuring everyone had an enjoyable evening.

The Christmas tree, the table settings, the dimmed lights and the background music were a great introduction to the Christmas festivities. Add to that the splendid venue, we are so lucky to have The Courthouse Arts Centre at our disposal, and we should never take it for granted

Our next meeting will see the start of a new decade for TWN and the start of the second decade of the millennium.

JANUARY 4th
Core Group; Deirdre, Lynne, Pauline D. and Ginny.
Health Check is the theme for the evening.
We will also spend some time discussing the proposed directory of services and International Women’s Day schedule

FEBRUARY 1st
Core Group: Irene, Helen Mc, Madge & Mary S.
The ICA will celebrate its centenary in 2010 and the members of the Tinahely Guild will tell us about their history, their achievements, the important role they play in our community and their future plans.

INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY – MARCH 8TH
Core group to be chosen at January meeting.
How about starting the celebrations early by attending a short play “THE WORLD’S WIFE by Carol Ann Duffy on Saturday, March 5th?
Female figures from the worlds of myth, fairy tales and history finally get a word in THE WORLD’S wife; a playful stage show based on the poetry collection of the same name from Carol Ann Duffy (UK Poet Laureate)
The venue will be the Courthouse Arts Centre and a block booking from TWN will ensure lower cost, further details at our next meeting. Unfortunately, the play “Bombshells” chosen by the majority of women during the party is not available at the time we would like.

HOSTING A MEETING
We are taking this opportunity to encourage you to consider hosting a meeting. It is a great way of getting to know new people. Let a committee member know if you would be interested in hosting the April meeting.

BRING SOMETHING & TAKE SOMETHING
So far this has been successful, so we will continue with it for the remainder of the TWN year.

TWN WEB PAGE
Reminder to check our web page, it is always useful to remind ourselves of our goals and mission statement. As usual we welcome your comments. The address http://twn blogs.ie.

Dolores, Olive, Sadie, Grania and Avril wish all members and their families a joyous and peaceful Christmas, and every good wish for 2010.

If you are receiving this newsletter for the first time, you are very welcome.

To date, the feedback from the celebrations for the 10th anniversary of TWN has been very positive, so a sincere “Thank You” to Maria, Pat, Helen and Lillian for the great work completed before and during that special evening. It was greatly appreciated by all. An extra special “Thank You” to Madge who presented TWN with that delicious birthday cake.

To the women who made that extra effort to come in fancy dress, well done. Your outfits added an extra splash of colour and vitality to the celebrations. While the weather that Monday night was dreadful, the energy and enthusiasm generated in the Courthouse should make everyone feel very confident and positive about the continuing growth and influence of TWN in our community. We should all feel very proud of our achievement.

Throughout the evening women chatted, some were busy catching up with those they had not seen in a long time. Others enjoyed looking at the photos taken of various events during the past ten years. The pot luck supper as usual, catered for every taste, and was a delight. However, one important point must be highlighted that is the amount of food not eaten, which later had to be disposed of. In this time of recession we need to give serious thought to only bringing small portions of food, for example, enough for two persons. “Waste not, want not” springs to mind.

DECEMBER 7th - CHRISTMAS PARTY

Core Group: Tina C., Veronica, Rose, Letty & Betty O’Toole

Once again, at the request of most members we are having an outside caterer provide the food, and to date thirty women have booked. Please note that dinner will be served at 8 p.m. This is to ensure plenty of time for party pieces, surprises and dancing. The wine and chocolates donated to the 10th anniversary celebrations will be used as “spot prizes”. To create a seasonal environment on the night we would welcome floral arrangements.

HOSTING A MEETING

We are taking this opportunity to encourage you to consider hosting a meeting. It is really a great way of getting to know new people or learn something new. Let a committee member know if you would be available to host the January meeting.

JANUARY 4th 2010

Core group to be announced

Let’s start our second decade with a “brainstorming session”

The compilation of a local directory listing the services available in Tinahely was suggested in October, so let’s discuss it, and start working our plan.

We also need to focus on ideas for International Women’s Day on 8th March. This is one of our flagship events and we would like to see as many members as possible make that extra effort to become involved in the planning and taking part in our celebrations.

Our Suggestion Box and “Bring Something and take Something” will be re-activated in January.

FEBRUARY 1st

Core Group: Irene, Madge, Kathleen & Helen

The ICA will be celebrating its centenary in 2010 and members of the Tinahely Guild have accepted our invitation to come and tell us about their history, their achievements, the important role they play in our community and future plans.

MARCH 8th

We will not having our usual meeting on 1st March we will transfer everything to March 8th - International Women’s Day.

TWN WEB PAGE

Check our mission statement and goals. Always a good idea, as it ensures we keep focused. As usual we look forward to receiving your comments, a good health check, on our blog http/twn blogs.ie. Feedback is important.

MEMBERSHIP

At present we have 42 paid up members and as you know our goal is 50.

Dolores, Olive, Sadie & Avril look forward to meeting you all on December 7th.

Welcome to those new members who are receiving this newsletter for the first time.

A sincere “Thank You” to Tina, Joy, Helen, and Betty, the core group for the October meeting. The floral arrangement was stunning, the healthy nibbles were appreciated and guest speaker Yvonne Whitty, an archaeologist living in Tinahely inspired us with her presentation of the work being carried out in Holdenstown, County Kilkenny. She has promised to pay us a return visit to talk about the progress in Maynooth and the New Ross areas. We look forward to her next visit.

ART FOR CHLDREN PROJECT
During the evening our Arts Committee, Tina M., Fiona, Barbara and Betty presented the committee and later the members with a proposal to hold a series of art workshops for children aged between 7 – 12 years. Classes are planned for a Saturday morning and they propose to invite a professional artist to conduct these classes. The fee per child/per family has yet to be agreed. The proposal was well received by members, and as a result, the committee still has a couple of issues to check out, before putting the final touches to what may be a new direction for TWN. As soon as the date, cost, and the issues are resolved we intend passing on the details to members.

10th Anniversary Celebrations – 2nd November
Plans are progressing very well. Maria Ross has contacted the previous Chairpersons who will regale us with their achievements during their years as Chairperson. These are the women who, during the past ten years have been responsible for the growth and development of TWN.

This will be a special birthday, so make sure you have the date in your diary. From 8.30 p.m., fun, laughter, story telling, poetry readings, and dancing will be our priority. Fancy dress is optional. A pot luck supper will be served, so your favourite dish will be welcome. Don’t forget those photographs, we would love to have them on display on the 2nd November.

Core Group: The original core group has been changed and will now be: Dolores, Avril, Olive Sadie & Grania with some additional help from other members as it is going to be a special night and hopefully many previous members coming to celebrate with us.

Christmas Party - 7th December
Core Group; Veronica, Pat O’K. & Helen Boyd.
This is another important date for your diary and another chance to display those hidden talents, only this time, there is no cooking involved,we have engaged an outside caterer to treat us. Cost €15 per member.

Deadline for booking is 20th November. Grania is waiting to take your booking.

Greetings to new members who are receiving the newsletter for the first time.

A sincere “Thank You” Anne, Mary, Maggie and Magarete, the core group for the September meeting. The seasonal floral arrangements, the attention to detail and the variety of tasty “nibbles” certainly created a warm and welcoming environment for all.

During our meeting we put some shape on events to be held later this year.

OCTOBER 5th
Core group; Joy, Tina M., Betty O’ T., and Helen B.

Yvonne Whitty, an archaeologist, based in Tinahely, has accepted an invitation from the core group to give a short talk lasting about 30 minutes at our meeting.

NOVEMBER 2nd – 10th Anniversary Celebrations
It was decided at the September meeting, to celebrate our 10th anniversary on 2nd November. The celebrations will have a carnival air, fancy dress, carnival masks, anything goes, and this will commence at 8.30 p.m. and go on ‘til late, with a pot luck supper. Too ensure we do not have too much of the same food we will talk about it at our next meeting. We are also hoping to have a late coffee morning in the Courthouse for those women who will not be available to attend the evening fun.
Please let us know if you have any photographs taken at various events during the last ten years. We would love to have them on display that night. So keep 2nd November, free. The committee look forward to welcoming former members and those members who have not been available to attend regularly. Further details will be announced at the October meeting. Core Group. Maria, Pat, Helen & Lillian .
The Wicklow People newspaper have promised to send a reporter and a photographer along on the night

DECEMBER 7th - Christmas Party
Following the success of last year’s party the majority of members agreed to follow the same format, to use an outside caterer. The date will be 7th December. However, the deadline for booking is 20th November, and the cost this year is €15.00 per person which must be paid in full, by the deadline. Details will be announced later.

SUGGESTION BOX
Some very worthwhile ideas have been put forward. A trip ( car pool) to perhaps Russborough House, a visit to Dail Eireann, and the compilation of a local directory listing useful services being offered within the community. This could be accessed through our web site. Another brilliant idea was to re-activate a training session on Life Skills. All very worthy, so let the committee have your comments.

I.C.A.
Margaret Dollard, President of the ICA, Tinahely, accepted a cheque for €150, from TWN as a donation towards their senior citizen’s party. While it was a little behind schedule, Margaret told us it was particularly welcome as their funds were low due to grant cutbacks.

MEMBERSHIP FEE
This is a final reminder that membership fees are now long overdue.

TWN WEB PAGE
As mentioned in last month’s newsletter we have updated our web page showing a profile of TWN, our mission statement and our goals. It is no harm to take time to re-visit this page. We look forward to receiving your comments on our blog http/twn.blogs.ie. Feedback is important.

Finally, please check with Sadie, to ensure we have your current email address and mobile phone number. It is amazing the number of women who have told us that a text message is a welcome reminder of the meeting date.

We look forward to seeing you all on October 5th at 8.30 p.m.

Dolores, Olive, Sadie, Grania & Avril

The committee of 2009/2010 extend a warm “welcome back” to all our members.

Reminder: the committee this year is.

Chair: Dolores Cullen Vice-Chair: Olive Savage
Secretary: Sadie Phelan Treasurer: Grania More O’Farrell
Co- Ordinator: Avril Young

Arts Committee; Tina Mouritzen, Fiona Dowling & Betty O’Toole.

The core group for the first meeting on 7th September: Maggie, Magaretha and Mary O’D. We look forward to our first get-together at 8.30p.m. and to welcoming new members. To those women who were unable to attend many of the meetings last year we missed you, and as this is a special year for TWN, we sincerely hope you will be able to attend more frequently.

During our meeting we intend outlining the events for the coming year with particular emphasis on the celebrations of our 10th anniversary. One of the best kept secrets has been – in what year did TWN start? Having spent time going back over the minutes of meetings, and newsletters, the record shows that early in 1999 a group of women from the Tinahely area came together to form a women’s group. The purpose was to meet, have fun, share experiences and information, organise classes, formal discussions and interactive workshops, promote personal and skills development, a sense of belonging of all social groups and offer support and companionship.

We would like the celebrations begin, but, we need input from all members. The committee will consider all ideas and recommendations to mark our first decade. By the end of the TWN year in 2010 and apart from the celebrations we would like to ensure that TWN made a worthwhile contribution to the community. So work with the committee to make this a memorable year, we need all our members involved. Needless to say, we will keep everyone informed as our plans progress.

One tried and tested item we enjoyed last the year was the: Bring Something – Take Something, this will re-start in September, so, if you have books, or anything you have enjoyed, and now feel you would like other women to enjoy owning, then bring it along, however, if they are not taken by the end of the evening we would ask you to bring them home again. The suggestion box (we can never have too many ideas, particularly this year) let us know your preferences, whether it is, arts, cookery, health issues, day trips, a quiz, citizens information, or basket weaving make sure you have your say. The box will be at the entrance.

We have updated our web page showing our mission statement, and the aims of TWN. Always good to re-visit this site, it helps us keep focused. Don’t forget to make use of our blog, http/twn blogs.ie to give us feedback, your comments are always welcome. A sincere thanks to Irene Lundgaard, who once again has offered to manage our website. Also, make sure you read the Notice Board each month.

TWN MEMBERSHIP FEE
Membership fee is still €10, now overdue. Talk to Grania. The €3 entrance fee has not increased.

Remember feel free to bring a friend.

Finally, please check with Sadie to ensure we have your current email address and mobile phone number. It is amazing the number of women to have told us that a text message is a welcome reminder of the meeting date.

See you on 7th September,

Dolores, Olive, Sadie, Grania & Avril.

This year we celebrate International Women’s Day again on March 8th at

Venue: The Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, Co Wicklow.

We have made the day an international one with a distinct flavour of Irish traditions. We invite you to join us and all the other community groups for pot-luck lunch at 12.30 pm, bring a dish of your choice and share lunch with the Women of Tinahely and surrounds. After lunch we will have readings, songs and general merriment topped off with Irish traditional music from young local talents. Who knows, we might even get to do a jig…..

February Meeting
Due to the snow we had to take the unprecedented step of cancelling the February meeting which was a great pity as I know many of you were looking forward to hearing Phyllis’ story. She is presently in Australia visiting her son. Hopefully we can have her come some other evening.

International Womens Day
This year we celebrate International Women’s Day again on March 8th at The Courthouse Arts Centre. We have made the day an international one with a distinct flavour of Irish traditions. We invite you to join us and all the other community groups for pot-luck lunch at 12.30 pm, bring a dish of your choice and share lunch with the Women of Tinahely and surrounds. After lunch we will have readings, songs and general merriment topped off with Irish traditional music from young local talents. Who knows, we might even get to do a jig…..

Come along, bring a friend and your party piece and celebrate women over a meal of merriment.

International Women’s Day Conference
There is an International Women’s Day Conference taking place on Thursday, 5th March in Croke Park Conference Centre. This conference will focus on women’s activism and feminist leadership in changing times, and aims to both inspire and challenge participants. Booking is essential. For further details email: info@banulacht.ie or banulacht@iol.ie, visit www.banulacht.ie or call 01 8723039

Frock Exchange
A reminder that the “Frock Exchange” is taking place this coming Friday night, February 27th, in The Courthouse at 8.00 pm in aid of Crossbridge National School. You can exchange all those worn once clothes and get advice on make up and hair. Call Tina on XXXXXXX for further details.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday, March 8th.

Mary, Fionnuala, Grania, Olive & Anne.

January Meeting

Thanks to Pat, Hazel, Joy & Susan for hosting the January meeting. Pat’s talk on her trip to Nepal was fascinating and a great crowd braved the cold weather and turned out on the night which was most enjoyable. As an added bonus the Courthouse must have smelled lovely the next morning also.

February Meeting
The February meeting will be on Monday, Feb 2nd and the Core Group for the night is Betty, Margarete, Yvonne, Maria and Bridie.

We will be hearing from Phyllis (Rose mother) about her incredible journey to find the son she was forced to give up for adoption many years ago. Phyl was with us about a year ago and many people who missed the night requested that she come back another night. This is an account of her experiences and was partly documented on film by an Australian TV company and is absolutely captivating.

International Womens Day
International Womens Day is on Sunday 8th March so make sure to put the date in your diaries. Maggie and Irene are the force behind activities on the day and there will be more details in the next newsletter.

Frock Exchange – Recessionista Fashionista – February 27th
Tina is organising a “Frock Exchange” in aid of Crossbridge National School swimming programme in The Courthouse on February 27th at 8pm. This is an opportunity to exchange those clothes, shoes or accessories that you bought for an occasion and wore only once. There is a €5 entrance fee and clothes need to be of good quality. There will be changing rooms and mirrors and experts on hand to give advice on make up and hair. Refreshments will also be available. Call Tina on 086 8629851 for further details.

The attached poem is also from Tina and is very fitting for January (pardon the pun!!)

See you all on the 2nd.
Mary, Fionnuala, Olive, Grania & Anne.

T’was the month after Christmas,
And all through the house,
Nothing would fit me,
Not even a blouse.

The cookies I’d nibbled, the chocolate I’d taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber),

I’d remember the marvellous meals I’d prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I’d never said, “No thank you…, please…”

As I dressed myself in my husband’s old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt…
I said to myself, as I only can,
“You can’t spend a winter, disguised as a man!”

So, away with the last of the sour cream dip.
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won’t have a cookie, not even a lick.
I’ll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won’t have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie.
I’ll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I’m hungry, I’m lonesome, and life is a bore…
But isn’t that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all, and to all a good diet.

Thank you to Helen, Pauline, Ann and Imelda who were last months core group. Thanks also to Akana for coming and to Barbara for inviting her. We had a fantastic turnout last month and it was a very enjoyable night.

Next months meeting is on December 1st and the core group is Avril, Tina, Betty, Fiona and Helen. Everyone will have given their names by now but just a reminder – food will be served at 8.30 sharp. Please give a contribution on the night of a maximum e10. A great night is promised.

Congratulations:
Congratulations to Yvonne and Karen who both had baby girls recently. We wish them all the best and hope they are getting some sleep.

Welcome:
Welcome to our recent new members, Bridie, Mary, Kathleen, Mary and Noeleen. We hope they will have a long and happy association with the TWN.

Mobile Phone:
We have recently purchased a mobile phone for the TWN. It is planned to send text reminders of the monthly meeting and also any news that might not be in time for the newsletter. The number is XXXXXXXXX. You can text your name to this number and it will be added on the list.

Good Luck:
Good Luck to Helen who, along with Roisin and Aynia, has an exhibition called “Two Plus One” starting in The Courthouse on November 30th at 2 pm. This will be an exhibition of paintings and photographs of meadow, wood and stream. We wish Helen every success.

South Wicklow Primary Care Team:
We have received an invitation from the HSE to attend a meeting in Colaiste Bhride, Carnew, on Thursday 20th November at 7 pm for the launch of the above. The team consists of health professionals responsible for organising and delivering primary health care to meet local needs and to liaise with the local community. All are welcome to attend.

We look forward to seeing everyone on December 1st – the official launch of the Christmas season.