26 Aug 1998, Posted in Gardening Tips,Local News, 0 Comments

Nuacht Chláir July/August 1998

Good Luck to John Forde

Our Best Wishes are extended to local Badminton Star John Forde who is heading for Belgium on Saturday l7th July. He has been selected to participate in an International Coaching School where he will join with the best in Europe for specialised coaching and competition at an extremely intensive level. John is one of the very limited number from Ireland who have been invited to attend, and we congratulate him and wish him well.

Claregalway Agricultural Show 1998 – 8th Annual Show

From the beginning of the year, the Claregalway Agricultural Show Committee have been busy making preparations and plans for their forthcoming Agricultural Show, which is held annually in Duffys Claregalway Equestrian Centre, Rockwood, Claregalway. One of the main events – the selection of the Show Queen – has already taken place. The title for 1998 goes to Fidelma Roche, Knockdoemore, Claregalway. Fidlema was selected by the show committee and was presented with her prizes at the Show Queen Dance on 30th May. The committee would like to thank everyone who supported the dance by buying tickets and all who turned up on the night. A very enjoyable night was had by all who attended and great music was provided by local group Country Roads. Fidelma received a perpetual trophy, crystal bowl and flowers which were sponsored by Tom Dempsey, Tom Dempsey Carpet and Bedding, Westside Business Centre. The committee deeply appreciate Tom’s contribution to the show every year. The committee usually select their queen from the young ladies who help out on the Show Day. It is hoped that this will encourage more young people to become involved. Fidelma will be presenting the prizes on the day and will have various tasks to perform throughout the year, all of which we hope she will enjoy.

This will be the eight annual show and already at this early stage entries have started to come in. It will take place on Sunday, 23rd of August, in Duffy’s Claregalway Equestrian Centre, Rockwood, Claregalway. The show committee are once again indebted to the Duffy Family for the use of their grounds for the show. It is an excellent venue for the show. There will be 212 classes this year, consisting of horses, Ponies, Donkeys, Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Dogs, Pets, Home Baking, Crafts, Farm Produce, Photographs, Flowers, Art, Jam, Eggs and several classes for children. Show Grounds open at 9.00 a.m. and entries are accepted on the day. The Irish shows Association have placed Qualifying Classes for The Golden Vale Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream Liqueur All Ireland Yearling Filly Championship and the Spillers Prime Dog Championship at Claregalway Show this year. Together with these, the Show will have Qualifying Classes for the All Ireland Ridden/Performance Registered Connemaraa Pony Championship, The F.B.D. Connacht Champion Irish Draught Foal and The £500 Connacht Suckler Heifer, the finals of which are held at Oughterard Show. In the Home Baking Section, we have a qualifying class for the Dawn Delights Competition, the final of which will be held at Limerick Show.

Sponsorship plays a major part in financing all shows, and Claregalway Show Committee are deeply grateful to all their Sponsors, who support them ever year. All contributions are very much appreciated. The committee wish to convey their thanks also to the Exhibitors. Without exhibitors there would be no show. Many are local, but several travel long distances to exhibit at the show. Perhaps if you are not interested in entering anything, you would like to come along and view all the fine displays. What would be the point of all the exhibits and displays if nobody turned up to view them – spectators are required to make it all worthwhile, so do come along.

Claregalway Show is a day out for all the family. Again, the very popular threshing machine will be working away for all to see. Although the show is organised by a small committee who work nearly all year round, they depend a great deal on the 60 or so helpers who volunteer their services on the day to ensure the smooth running of the day.

Schedules and Entry Forms are available from the Secretary, Carmel Casserly, Kiniska, Claregalway, Co. Galway Tel. (091) 798249, and chairman,, Paul Fleming, Cregboy, Claregalway, Co. Galway Tel. (091) 798405. If you have any queries regarding the show, please feel free to contact the above, or indeed any member of the committee will be more than willing to help you.

Carmel Casserly, Secretary

Claregalway Cubs win Gold in Eskervision!

A group of Cubs from Claregalway took the Gold medallion with 37 out of a possible 40 points at a recent District Cub camp. The camp was hosted by the Craughwell Cubs and was held at the beautiful grounds of Esker Retreat House. In all, twelve Cubs from Claregalway set off on Saturday June 6th to camp overnight in Esker. The Claregalway pack were representing for the duration, and as well as presenting a project on Italy, were also invited to partake in a Eurovision type contest. There were Italian flags a plenty, information on all aspects of Italian life, from life in Ancient Rome to life in the present day. There was information in Italy’s performances in the World cup, and our dinner consisted of pasta, in keeping with the overall Italian theme.

After pitching all of 7 of our tents, the day began with the Grand Howl, and then an afternoon of fun and games. Of course, the weather was not very favorable, but that didn’t dampen any spirits, as we followed the Scouting motto “Be Prepared“, rainwear kept out the worst of the weather and we just enjoyed ourselves.

At midnight, the campfire singsong began, and this was followed by the Eskervision. All 5 District Cub packs took part and our entry was a song about Italy, sung to the Barbie song music. It contained Historical and Geographical information about Italy and the Cubs gave their all in their performance. From the other four judging groups, Claregalway received two 10′s, one 9 and one 8. We received a Gold medallion and a magic set as our prize, and naturally we were all delighted that our hard work had been rewarded.

At 12:45 a.m. we set out on a night hike through the adjoining woods. It was a wonderful escape from all the noise of the day. At one stage along the walk, we stopped, turned off our torches and just listened. The peace and quiet was beautiful.

On Sunday morning, we had breakfast at about 8:00 a.m. (some of us didn’t surface until 10:00) and then proceeded to take down the tents. The rain came down and we got soaked! We had Mass in the Monastery chapel at 11:00 a.m. and afterwards, there was kickabout. As the bus was not due to arrive until 1:00 p.m.., the Cubs decided to head off on another hike. Some nearly missed the bus home!

The Cubs would like to take this opportunity to thank Kevin Duffy, Sinead Greally, Breda Noone and Ailbhe Mannion, without whose help the camp would not have happened. Thanks guys.

Sean Doyle, A.C.S.L., Patricia Carton, C.S.L.,

Coole Park May 30th 1998

The Gold Arrow Group of Claregalway Cubs, Gerry Quinn, Ailis Cahalan, Mairead Duffy, Sarah Crowe, Rebecca Reidy and Cathal O’Shea, organised a trip to Coole Park on May 30th for both Cubs and Beavers.

The six Cubs did all the organisation for the day, and even went on ahead on the day, to set out some Tracking and Compass trails.

Although Leaders from both groups travelled on the day, they took a back seat and were merely there in a supervisory capacity. The day went by so quickly that some of the planed events didn’t take place, as we simply ran out of time. So well done to all concerned.

Thanks

As a final note, before we close for the Summer holidays, may I take this opportunity to thank the Cubs for a great year, and to thank the parents for their support during the year. A special thanks to those parents who came on various outings with us, when we needed an extra pair of hands or eyes! If you think you might have what it takes to become a Leader, why not contact either myself or Mary Duggan, as new blood is always welcome, and of course, new blood usually means new ideas.

Yours in Scouting,
Patricia Carton, C.S.L.,

The Garden

As I write this article, I am looking back on last year’s and the first paragraph is a warning not to forget to water your tubs and hanging baskets or to get a neighbour to look after them, if going on holidays.

Listening to the wind and rain outside today, I think I will leave that out this year.

In the glasshouse many crops are coming to fruition. Tomatoes will be on the plants but due to lack of sunshine, have not ripened. You can help this by taking some of the leaves off the plant to allow the fruit get more sunshine. To aid pollination, use a small brush and tip all the flowers with it. Careful watering and feeding is required now and watch out for any insects.

The vegetable garden will have a lot of crops coming through at the moment. Potatoes, the early varieties are late coming in, watch and spray for blight as it is particularly bad this year.

Fruit thinning of pears and apples is worthwhile also, if the tree is carrying too many fruits.

Bedding plants are having a bad year due to the weather. Keep deadheading where necessary and feed with a liquid feed on a regular basis. Roses will benefit from some deadheading now also and spray for blackspot where necessary.

Now reading this article you would never think we would have an answer to ulcers, good teeth, healthy skin, aching bones and a fertiliser for tomatoes and cucumbers, all rolled into one. Well we do, and old cure from a plant called comfrey. It was brought to Britain hundreds of years ago by the crusading knights because of its healing powers.

Its called Garden Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale), a medium sized perennial herb growing to 2-3 foot. It has a hollow stem and large ovate leaves covered with coarse hairs, to which some people are sensitive! The small bell like flowers which grow in pairs are loved by bees and come in a range of colours from deep purple to white. It prefers a moist shady position and is often found in damp low-lying places in the wild near ditches and drains. It will grow anywhere and can be invasive. Stocks can be increased by dividing the plants in Autumn or taking root cuttings in Spring. Most gardeners will already be familiar with the use of the leaves as a fertiliser, but it is as medicinal herb that its best known. The leaf contains a protein called allantoin which encourages cell division and is responsible for many of its healing properties. As its common name “Knitbone” implies, it produces amazing results in speeding up the healing of sprains and broken bones. Ulcers and other similar skin conditions such as sores and damaged tissue respond well to a mash of the leaves or root in the form of a warm poultice. Comfrey oil will ease aching joints, strains and rough skin, all occupational hazards to the gardener. Its easy to make, take a large dark airtight glass jar and pack it tightly with Comfrey leaves, which have been cut in to pieces about an inch long. Label and date and put the jar into a dark place and leave for 18 months to two years. The leaves will slowly decompose to make a dark amber/green emulsion, halfway between an oil and a liquid. Mixed with a little moisturizing lotion it is easier and more pleasant to apply. It can keep for many months. If you are sensitive to Comfrey and you would know very quickly if you were, wear gloves when you handle the plant.

After a hard day in the garden, soak in a healing herbal bath by placing fresh Comfrey leaves in a muslin bag and suspending this under a running tap. This really does relax muscles and ease aching joints. It is said to improve skin texture and give a more youthful appearance. Because the protein in the leaf structure of Comfrey is equal to that of Soya beans and greater than cheddar cheese it can be a useful supplement for vegetarians as it also contains calcium, potassium and phosphorous along with valuable vitamins such as A, C, and B12.

An infusion of fresh or dried leaves will ease sinus troubles, purify the blood and clear the skin. It also has a reputation for remarkable healing of gastric ulcers and bronchial problems and is widely used in natural treatments for TB in sanatoriums in Europe and Scandinavia. Make an infusion by putting 1 teaspoon of dried or 3 teaspoons of the fresh herb into a teapot. Pour on one cupful of boiling water, replace the lid and leave to infuse for about 10 minutes. Strain and drink.

All you need to do to produce this wonderful yet somewhat smelly fertiliser, is to put some leaves in a bucket (about 1_lb of leaves to 10 gallons of water) and leave to stand for 4-5 weeks. It is advisable to cover it up to keep out the flies and to contain the smell a bit. The high potassium content in Russian Comfrey (symphytum K uplandicum) makes it a near perfect food for fruiting tomato and cucumber plants. A trench lined with Comfrey leaves will get potatoes off to a good start and keep them free of scab. If you have a compost heap, add the fertiliser on a regular basis as it makes a very good activator.

Once you are 100% certain your plants are Comfrey, it is perfectly safe to use externally. If you are sensitive to it when you touch it, always use gloves. It also should not be taken to excess internally. However, to do this you would need to consume at least a least a large plateful on a daily basis for a considerable amount of time.

Lastly, I am going to include a tip from last years Issue which is a frequent complaint. “Many of us have a problem with cats in the garden . We found that if we soaked used tea bags in diluted Jeyes Fluid solution and scattered them around the garden, the cats stayed away. ” I hope this will work for others. Worth a try at least!!

That’s it for now, happy gardening.
Bosco McDermot,
Glynns Garden Centre,
Lydican, Claregalway.

Special News

Belated birthday greeting to Patrick Farrell, Cregboy, who celebrated his 10th birthday last month.

Congratulations to Catherine and Martin Giles, Cregboy who got married recently.

Congrats also to Ailish and Joe Dolan, Cregboy, on the birth of their baby boy

Congratulations to Diane and Michael Burke, Cregboy, on the birth of their son Michael.

Congrats to Nancy Watson, Cregboy, on her win in Fame and Fortune recently.
(My goodness, there is a lot happening in Cregboy these days!)

Happy Birthday to Jason McNamara, Rockwood, who celebrates his birthday on the 15th August.
July, August, September, October, November (Check the first letter of each month and what have you got?)

Birthday wishes to Eugene Horan, Summerfield who will be 16 years old on the 28th of July.

Congratulations to Cora Horan, Summerfield, who will be representing Ireland on the Irish Amateur Showjumping Team in Scotland in August.

Noreen Murphy and Marie Horan would like to thank the people of Claregalway who sponsored them in the Ladies Mini-Marathon in Dublin on the 7th June last.