submitted for European Capital of Culture 2020 Title

The Mayor of Waterford Cllr. John Cummins, the Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny Cllr. Mary Hilda Cavanagh and the Cathaoirleach of Wexford Cllr. Tony Dempsey gathered together to submit the Three Sisters European Capital of Culture 2020 Bid book on October 16 last. The regions Bid Book was filed for the adjudication process which will determine which city or region in Ireland will move forward to the shortlisting stage of the 2020 title Bid process.

The South East region of Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny under the banner Three Sisters 2020 is one of four applications to bid for the European Capital of Culture title for 2020

The regional submission of the Three Sisters Bid book tells the story of what the Three Sisters region plans to deliver if the 2020 title is bestowed; it outlines the details of the regional profile, the vision of the region for the year of 2020, the regions cultural strategy and creative programme, the artistic and cultural make up of Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford and it also outlines the regions commitment to the Bid process and the Bid. It details the Three Sisters plans for cultural delivery and outreach to Ireland and to Europe in 2020.

Commenting on the Bid Book content and the next stage of the process Bid Director, Michael Quinn says, "The Bid book is an eighty page document which outlines the regional vision by the Three Sisters for the European Capital of Culture year of 2020. The book features a great deal of content outlining the story of the region and its people and includes lots of passionate ideas and suggestions which were submitted by members of public during the Three Sisters public consultation period through social media and the Three Sisters interactive website. It is wonderful to see so many different names and faces and the huge appetite and commitment, which was demonstrated in the various submissions."

"After the Bid book is officially filed to the international jury, the Bid team along with cultural, educational, business, public representatives from across the region will then go forward to present the Bid to a panel of 10 adjudicators in Dublin next month after-which the shortlisted cities and or regions will be announced before the end of 2015. "

For further details on the Three Sisters 2020 Bid submission see http://www.threesisters2020.ie

Be a Welcome Ambassador for Waterford's Christmas Festival,'Winterval' the only festival of its kind in Ireland.

Come along to our information meeting on Wednesday, October 21st at 7pm in Dooley's Hotel on The Quay and hear about the Christmas magic planned for this years festival and how you can get involved. Bring a friend with you (volunteers must be 18 years or over) and find out how you can get involved to making this a festival we all can take pride in.

Enjoy the magic of Christmas by volunteering for some of the events that are planned. A few hours of your time during the months of November/December would help us enormously in welcoming visitors, both local and national, to our city. Everyone is welcome to the meeting and we look forward to seeing you on October 21st .

If you cannot make this meeting and would still like to get involved please contact Catherine or Bernie on 085 1899641 or you can email wcityv@gmail.com. This meeting is being hosted by the Winterval committee and Waterford Area Partnership.

Hallowe’en is nearly here! The Reg is providing the venue for the the biggest fancy dress party in the South East with our Jagermeister Halloween Ball! Don’t miss out on a spooktacular night with DJ Shay Searson kicking off the party in The Reg Bar from 10pm and Lebowski taking centre stage live in Noc Noc! This Waterford band will be providing all the best tunes and will be raising the dead with the best Halloween party in town! Get into your creative zone and dress up in your best costume! We have spot prizes for Best Fancy Dress so if you’re not in, you can’t win! No cover charge so put that extra bit of money towards making your costumer Spooktacular! So come to The Reg for the party that is for both the living and the dead – or just come for the BOO-ze! It’s scary how amazing this night will be! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook to enter our competitions coming up to the big night @TheRegWaterford!

As Hallowe’en fast approaches, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking households and businesses in Waterford to help maintain Ireland’s high air quality standards and not to damage the air in surrounding towns and villages during their Halloween celebrations.

Air pollution can seriously damage people’s health, particularly those suffering from respiratory disease and aliments such as asthma.

Commenting on air quality at Halloween, EPA Scientific Officer Martin Doyle said:

“Backyard burning and unauthorised bonfires should be reported to your local authority. Residents in Waterford can contact Waterford Local Authority directly, phone the lo-call National Environmental Complaints Line: 1850 365 121 or use the See it? Say it! iPhone app. Any pollution incident from backyard burning, flytipping, water pollution, odours and littering can be reported by using the iPhone App or by phoning the complaints line. Using the App you can take a photograph of the pollution incident, input GPS location coordinates, add a summary description of what you want to convey and your contact details and this will automatically be sent to the relevant local authority for follow up”.

Sinn Féin Senator David Cullinane has said he was shocked to hear that a temporary English as an Additional Language (EAL) post sanctioned for a DEIS school in Waterford on 1 September was now being supressed.

Senator Cullinane said:

“This is a school with a high concentration of pupils who require language support.

“I am informed by the Minister for Education that reforms introduced in 2012/13 created a single allocation process for both learning and language supports.

“This means that children with special needs and migrant children, whose first language is not English are now competing for the same resources.

“This is not acceptable; both sets of children have different educational needs and this difference should be acknowledged and resources allocated accordingly.

“It’s difficult not to draw the conclusion that the single allocation process is just another fancy term for paring back the education budget to schools in need of additional resources.

“This is yet another example of how the government’s policy of austerity is impacting the most vulnerable in our schools and communities.

“Cutting EAL posts and resources to already stressed and struggling schools is a false economy.

“Research shows the importance of early intervention. The earlier the investment in a child’s education then the better chance they have of reaching their potential later on.

“The failure to invest in primary education is not fair to pupils or to teachers and is storing up problems for the future.

“The government have no right to claim the country is on the path to economic recovery while at the very same time it cuts teaching resources to young vulnerable children.”

Waterford City Councillor John Hearne said This Halloween was one of the safest  Halloween s ever. In times gone by it was a time of fear violence and pollution and drunkenness this year it all about children and having fun.

Councillor Hearne said:

For years estates were blighted with bonfires which gave cover to antisocial elements to engage in violence and drunkenness residents would wake to see play areas destroyed and damaged and the council would be facing a massive bill for the clean up. Garda would be investigating incidents of criminal damage and assault.This year i toured all the main estates and i met Garda members of the fire service and council workers all out making sure that communities were safe this year. Residents were delighted that the evening passed off trouble free and the children were able to go door to door in safety.So a huge  thank you to all the services for making it possible.In Derry city they have a massive festival with up to twenty thousand people attending its alcohol free and family orientated. The money saved by Waterford City and County Council  on the clean up should be used to put on such an event. The civil defence could organise a safe bonfire and the event would reward all the people of Waterford for what was a terrible event into something we can cherish. So thanks again to the Garda the firemen and Council workers and the Residents Associations who organised events.   

Fianna Fáil General Election Candidate Mary Butler has announced the party will hold a public meeting on November 5th. The meeting will highlight the crisis

affecting University Hospital, Waterford. Fianna Fáil Health Spokesperson Billy Kelleher will be among keynote speakers at the meeting.

Councillor Butler has expressed serious concern for patients arising from extremely high hospital waiting lists.

The public meeting will take place at the Granville Hotel, The Quay, Waterford, on Thursday, November 5th at 8pm.

The meeting will be addressed by Mr Patrick Condon, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, and Willie Doyle who is from the 24/7 Cardiac Care Provision group.

Councillor Mary Butler said: “I’m pleased our Health Spokesperson Billy Kelleher will be a keynote speaker at this meeting but he is also keen to hear from the public and those working in the health service in Waterford about their experiences. Fianna Fáil has put forward a number of proposals to tackle growing waiting lists and improve conditions in our hospitals.

Staff shortages, closed beds, overcrowding in Emergency Departments and long waiting lists have all contributed to increased anxiety among the public about whether the health service is safe and accessible for them and it has really impacted on morale among frontline staff.

“Every year under this government the health service has been given false and unrealistic budgets. That’s just not sustainable. I look forward to engaging in this important dialogue to bring about a better health service for the people of Waterford,” concluded Councillor Butler.

Sunday 8th November

On Sunday 8th November, John’s College is reopening its doors to the Waterford Public. An Open Day will take place from 1pm-4pm and it will give the people of Waterford a glimpse of this fantastic project which has just been completed.

The development includes 21 new apartments in the College itself, with a 10-bed group home and 36 new-build one-bed apartments adjoining the Folly. Respond! also plans to open up a number of essential support services within Johns College including a Day Centre, Community Education Centre,

Activation Room, Counselling Service and a Sensory Garden for Older People and people with specific needs and requirements.

It is hoped that the first tenants will be offered their apartments by the end of November. Around the same time, a conference on loneliness and social isolation among Older People will take place in the Community Education Centre within the College in partnership with University College Cork.

According to Fr. Patrick Cogan, Founding Director of Respond!:

“We are delighted to be reopening the doors of John’s College again. The redevelopment of Johns College is great news for Waterford and will provide a sustainable community for Older People who wish to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. The extra support services including the Day Centre, Activation Room and Community Education Centre will ensure that Older People remain active within their own community and this will help to counteract loneliness and social isolation”.

The total project costs of building John’s College came to €12 million. Some €8million of this was made available in State mortgages to Respond! from Waterford City Council through the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

The remaining €4million was provided by Respond! of which some €2.25 million came in a private borrowing initiative from AIB Bank. Respond! are now in the process of raising funds to kit out essential services such as the Day Centre, Community Education Centre and Activation Room.

According to Philip O’ Reilly of Respond!:

“Over the next number of months, Respond! will be organising a number of key events to raise vital funds to equip the key support services within John’s College for the benefit of the whole community. We will be running a Dog Race Night in Kilcohan Greyhound Park on Saturday 5th December and would appeal to the people of Waterford to support this event and other upcoming events if possible.”

Respond! was founded in Waterford in 1981 by Franciscans and incorporated in 1982. To date, Respond! has provided some 5,500 dwelling units for families, homeless and disabled persons, older persons and those in need, right across the country.

Noel Frisby Lead Sponsor Of John’S College Fundraising Campaign

Local businessman Noel Frisby is the lead sponsor of the “Respond to John’s College” fundraising campaign. Respond! has been able to gather together the €12million required for the capital construction costs. They now need help from the people of Waterford and business community with the fitting out costs for the proposed Day Centre, Sensory Garden,

Community Education Centre and Activation Centre. Noel is the lead sponsor for Respond!’s campaign and is urging all local Waterford businesses to support this very worthy cause.

According to Noel: I am delighted to see John’s College restored and redeveloped into apartments for Older People and people with specific needs. This really is a great news story for Waterford and will benefit a significant number of Older People on the housing list. I am urging all Waterford businesses to support this very worthy cause”

Respond! is very grateful to Noel Frisby for taking on our invitation to lead our necessary fundraising drive and we are optimistic that his generosity will spur similar generosity from the businesses he has written to.

Waterford Business Matters

Tourism - the biggest industry in the world!

Those readers who know me will know that over the last twelve months I have literally come out of the closest in my Lycra and can officially be described as a MAMIL (middle aged man in Lycra). It is a hobby that has taken me all over the south east and further afield, around this island of green. In fact since I had to hung up my golf bats (due to old rugby injuries), cycling is a sports I have taken to my heart over the last 15 months and I am now just a few kilometres short of cycling 10,000km.

I, like most of today’s cyclists have an App, as there is an App for everything, and this App also show that I have climbed nearly 62,000m in those 15 months. Who needs the Tour de France when we have so much available to us on our doorstep?

The unseasonably good weather has allowed me to continue to cycle in my Lycra shorts over the last couple of weekends and last Saturday and Sunday was no different. So mild was the weather that I even managed to see a few butterflies and I also managed to be hit by several bumble bees, and being smacked on the face by a bumble bee at 30 plus kph stings like hell!

It has amazed me that as we head into the depths of winter our wonderful countryside and coastline are still accessible whether you are on a bike, in a car or simply just walking. Being able to see the vast array of autumnal colours that coat our countryside at this time of the year I can see why this is the favourite time for so many people. There were simply oodles of people out and about over the weekend and car parks that access our stunning coves and beeches, whilst not heaving, were very busy with families taking the opportunity to enjoy the extremely mild weather and get one or two last autumnal walks in, with the dog, before the winter weather finally decides to arrive.

The more I cycle around Waterford and the south east, the more I come to appreciate exactly what we have on our doorstep and I do often wonder if we are really utilising this natural beauty for the benefit of ourselves and as a potential tourism income generator.

We all know that Ireland’s Ancient East has been designed as a tourism driver in an attempt to balance the tens of millions being spent on dragging millions of tourist “out west” to the Wild Atlantic Way. Yet we read recently that funding for this project across Waterford and the south east has not been forthcoming and we must ask why? I would also hazard a guess that many readers will not be aware that the Ireland’s Ancient East project is now over two years old and we are yet to see any real economic benefits from this new branding.

In my 10,000km of cycling around the south east I have yet to see one sign proclaiming that you are in Ireland’s Ancient East and I am yet to see any real signs of branding that will encourage our tourists to spend their Euro in Waterford and this region. I fear that we are yet again being dreadfully acceptant that what has been delivered to date is satisfactory and adequate to compete with other tourism offerings.

We have accessible scenery that rivals the very best in Ireland and we have a tourism offering that certainly competes with some of the more established brands in Ireland and yet we seem to be, once again, the poorer cousin when it comes to funding and shouting about just what we have to offer.

More must be done for Waterford and the south east as after all tourism is the biggest industry in the World!

Sinn Féin Senator David Cullinane has joined Sinn Fein Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD in outlining the party’s response to Right2Change, a broad coalition of trade unions, civil society organisations, progressive political parties and independents stemming from the Right2Water movement.

Deputy McDonald and Senator Cullinane both confirmed Sinn Féin’s support for the broad policy platform agreed by Right2Change.

David said:

“The Right2Water movement has evolved and grown from the initial sole concern around water charges to other issues. As a result of very long discussions and consultations, broad policy principles have been agreed which we in Sinn Féin are happy sign up to and to endorse.

“This policy provides a space for political parties and progressive independent candidates and a platform to fight the next election. It doesn’t replace any political party’s manifesto, but it does represent those points of commonality, where we agree, and represents a real opportunity in the forthcoming election to maximise the number of progressive TDs elected to the Dáil, and the potential for an alternative government.

“It’s been very clear to us in the course of the last number of months in particular, that the community pillar of this Right2Change movement is looking for coherence, looking for some sense of direction from the political parties and the independents involved and so we support these policies.

“We believe there is a great opportunity now in the forthcoming election. We believe that we need an alternative and a progressive government. Sinn Féin wants to be part of that and we believe that parties and candidates who share this platform and who agree on these principles should, whilst attending to their own election campaigns, equally encourage people to transfer to other like-minded candidates.

"Over the coming months I will take Sinn Fein's message for change to every community in Waterford. In November this involves public meetings in four venues across Waterford City. I look forward to engaging with communities on Sinn Fein's vision and their issues.

Time and dates of meetings:

- Monday 9th November - Ballybeg Community Development Project, Community Centre, Ballybeg 8pm

- Monday 16th November - Woodlands Hotel, Dunmore Road 8pm

- Monday 23rd November - Roanmore Centre, Roanmore. 8pm

Following on from the success of the

‘Second Chance Debs’ event, and ‘The Enchanted Forest Ball’ of previous years, the ISPCC are proud to once again be working with the Woodlands to bring their ‘Winter Wonderland Ball’ to the hotel on Saturday 21st November.

A team of remarkable ISPCC Volunteers have been working hard together over the past few months to bring this amazing event to the Woodlands. A lot of time and effort will go into transforming the venue into a beautiful Winter setting, just in time for the Christmas party season. The aim of the event is to provide a truly unique and enjoyable experience for the people of Waterford while helping to raise vital funds for the ISPCC which has an office in Waterford.

A team of remarkable ISPCC Volunteers have been working hard together over the past few months to bring this amazing event to the Woodlands. A lot of time and effort will go into transforming the venue into a beautiful Winter setting, just in time for the Christmas party season. The aim of the event is to provide a truly unique and enjoyable experience for the people of Waterford while helping to raise vital funds for the ISPCC which has an office in Waterford.

Tickets are priced at €50 each. On the night each guest will be welcomed with a Prosecco Reception on arrival and guided through to the Ballroom which will be decorated to the highest standard to create a fabulous atmosphere. From there each guest will be treated to a beautiful 4 course meal with wine and invited to dance the night away to the sounds of 80s Tribute Band ‘Sleeze n Cheese’ followed by a DJ until late. Envisage Photography will have a magnificent photo booth set up on the night for guests to capture special moments, with a percentage of every photo sold going to the ISPCC. Tables of 8 and 10 are available for large groups who wish to celebrate together.

The ISPCC is one of Ireland's oldest and well known Children’s charities. Through the Childhood Support services and Mentoring services, the ISPCC works face to face with almost 500 vulnerable children and teenagers nationwide experiencing behavioural or emotional difficulties, helping them and their families cope with their problems. The Childline service is the only 24 hour listening service for Children in Ireland and last year responded to 480,285 calls, texts and emails from children nationwide who just needed somebody to listen to them. The Waterford office alone handled 38,365 calls in 2014.

There are 74 Volunteers in the Waterford Office. They provide support to children in a variety of ways, from mentoring children and parents, to listening to children in Childline, advocating on behalf of children and by fundraising much needed money to run the vital services we provide.

Without the hard work and dedication of the fantastic network of volunteers in Waterford, who are supported by a team of 2 staff, the ISPCC would not be able to continue to provide the level of service it does. To book your tickets to this truly memorable event, or to find out more, please contact Elaine Murray, Regional Fundraiser on 083 110 4155 or email emurray@ispcc.ie

Speaking after a successful gathering for Booze, Blaa's and Banter, and the last day of this year's Imagine Festival, Una Dunphy, president of the Waterford Council of Trade Unions congratulated the Imagine Festival organisers on a magnificent ten days of music, drama, street theatre and visual arts.

"Despite a savage cut to this year's budget, their enthusiasm, energy, commitment and sheer hard work carried the day. Of course many local organisations, individuals and businesses responded to the call for help and insured this year's festival was a huge success." We can take confidence from this combined effort, that the arts will not be allowed die in Waterford" she said.

Ms. Dunphy also said " The Trades Councils relationship with Imagine will continue and we would like to thank all who attended the Martin Simpson concert and the Booze, Blaas n' Banter event in Jordan's , both sponsored by the WCTU.

“I especially want to thank all the speakers and performers, the Catering Atkins brothers, Walsh's Bake house, Jack Molloy butchers, Billy Burke's fish merchants, Kieran Murphy MC and of course Andy and Cathy Jordan and staff”. Concluding Una Dunphy said "The Waterford Council of Trade Unions will continue to lobby the Arts Council and local Government TDs demanding reinstatement of the Arts Council grant to the Imagine Festival, a real and genuine community festival”.

After a decade of declining business at Waterford Port, the semi-state has finally made the transition to a new management team — and Deputy John Deasy says legacy issues

affecting local harbour users and commercial customers can now begin to be addressed.

“It’s roughly 10 years since I sought a review of the port’s entire management structure. It’s taken too long but we’re finally there,” the Waterford TD says. He believes the port can once again act as a strategic catalyst of growth for the region, but that changes were necessary for that to happen.

“This has been a protracted and difficult process. Putting a new chairman and now a proactive chief executive in place were crucial, fundamental steps.”

He recently met with the Port of Waterford Company’s new CEO, Frank Ronan, at Belview. Only a month in the job, “he has a realistic development agenda and we spoke about a number of capital investment priorities which he intends pursuing with the Department in the immediate term.”

These include a berth extension, river management measures to resolve silting problems at Cheekpoint, an upgrading of the quay walls, and a capital dredge to improve depth levels from 6.5 to 8 metres.

“These types of access improvements — which won’t happen overnight — would make a difference,” Deasy says. “But the challenge of clawing back old customers and enticing new ones will also need innovative thinking: possibly involving strategic joint ventures with shipping operators and attractive dock-level service arrangements.

The Fine Gael TD says there’s a lot of lost ground to be made up. “Waterford has gone from being one of the busiest ports in Europe in the 1980s to a shadow of that today. In 1989 the port handled 1.025 million tonnes in container traffic compared to less than 270,000t last year.

“You’re talking about a reduction in that market share from 33% to 4%, leaving Waterford way behind Dublin (4.5m tonnes) and Cork (1.9m). For Waterford to have less than a sixth of Cork’s container shipping — when it had less than a third of ours 25 years ago — shows how bad things have become.

“But the advantages available to Waterford haven’t changed,” Deasy added. “It remains the closest Irish multi-modal port to continental Europe. Volumes during the Bell Line era prove it has the strategic location and capacity. At least we’re now in a position to start rebuilding relationships and developing new connections.”

Catering for major existing customers is also a priority for the new CEO, who feels there’s a sufficient customer base within a 70km radius to provide a sustainable throughput — once Belview is marketed properly.

“Ideally new port-related industries and commercial activity can also come on stream in time,” Deasy says.

As regards capital projects, two possible sources he’s looking into are the €6.7billion Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, and a proposed ‘connectivity fund’ for strategic infrastructure from the €350m sale of Aer Lingus.

“We’re also discussing the possibility of bringing some of the smaller cruise liners up the river in bad weather and facilitate berthing closer to the city itself.”