Tesco is calling on shoppers and burgeoning bakers in Waterford to show their support for the Temple Street Great Irish Bake, proudly supported by Tesco, by popping in to their local store to buy a sweet treat on Friday 15th April.

To raise much needed dough for the children’s hospital, Tesco will be hosting Ireland’s Largest Bake Sale, with every store countrywide putting on a mouth-watering spread of culinary treats for one day only. Shoppers can help their local store colleagues in their effort to raise hundreds and thousands in funding by making a small donation in return for some home-baked goodies from buns and brownies, to masterful cake creations.

Denise Fitzgerald, Chief Executive, Temple Street Fundraising explains; "We’re delighted that Tesco are on board again this year as sponsors of the Great Irish Bake. Tesco colleagues have been incredibly supportive of the hospital and we can’t wait to see what they’ve planned for their bake sales on 15th April. The funds raised at the Great Irish Bake will go to support the amazing work our doctors and nurses do in treating over 145,000 sick children who attend Temple Street every year from right across the country. So please get involved and bake, buy or sell some goodies for the children in Temple Street."

Christine Heffernan, Corporate Affairs Director Tesco Ireland says, "We’re really proud to be sponsoring the Great Irish Bake for the second year running. Last year the effort that Ireland’s bakers went to was amazing and we’re delighted to again back this fantastic fundraiser. Aside from the obvious appeal, these bake sales really do go a long way in helping the little patients at Temple Street and make a huge difference to the hospital’s fundraising efforts."

Tesco stores nationwide will be holding Ireland’s Largest Bake Sale in aid of Temple Street’s Great Irish Bake on Friday 15th April from 11am – 6pm so please pop in and show your support. For those who want to ‘bake’ a difference with their own fundraiser, simply register online http://www.templestreet.ie/greatirishbake to receive your Great Irish Bake fundraising pack.

IRELAND’S Olympics boxers have come out in support of Special Olympics Ireland ahead of the charity’s annual Collection Day this month on Friday April 22nd, where volunteers will take to towns and villages around Donegal to help raise funds for Special Olympics Ireland. The boxers – who rank as some of Ireland’s most promising medal hopes at this summer’s Rio Olympics - welcomed athletes from Team Ireland to the Irish Athletic Boxing Association’s (IABA) High Performance Boxing Unit in Dublin. Special Olympics Ireland and Irish Olympic Boxers are calling on the people of Waterford to show their support on the day by volunteering at one of Waterford’s collection points - Waterford City, Dungarvan, Tramore, Lismore and Toll.

For further information about Special Olympics Ireland’s collection day please visit http://www.specialolympics.ie/collectionday and to volunteer for the full day or even just an hour please contact Lynda Foley at Special Olympics Munster on 021 497 7511 or email lynda.foley@specialolympics.ie

Michael Garland,

bizBoost Chair,

Waterford Business Group

A road less travelled

Who said we are two warring counties fighting over a proposed boundary extension in and around the Ferrybank area? As all seems fine when I peddle my bike through what some would picture is “bandit territory”. If you are to believe some of the rhetoric coming from certain public representatives then you might just need a flak jacket the next time you venture across the bridge!

Anyway, last weekend I took part in another fundraising event. This time for Mount Sion CBS which was an event I participated in last year and hopefully this will now become an annual fundraiser for the school. Make no bones about it, the people you regularly see at weekends, squeezed into all manner of coloured Lycra, give a considerable amount of their time and money to many of the charity/fundraising cycles around this wonderful South East corner of Ireland.

Already this year we, The Biscuit Club members, have helped raise money for The Cycle for Sarah, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, Solas South East Cancer Centre “Dance for Life”, Waterford Hospice, Kilmacow Wheelers Charity Cycle to name but a few, and the calendar for the summer looks equally busy.

There can be no doubt and speaking as a MAMIL only (so as not to upset the fairer sex), that when you get to a certain age we either buy; a Harley, a stupid convertible car that makes you look like a numpty, a set of ridiculously expensive golf bats or a carbon racer bicycle with all the bells and whistle in terms of wheels, groupsets, low rolling resistance tyres, GPS computer gizmos and the latest trend a power meter! There is even an App that allows us to record our rides, compare times and keep an eye out on just how many kilometres you are covering every week.

In addition, if you were any way competitive in a previous sporting life, and some say I still am, then your weekend cycles, sportifs and charity events can become very spirited. The fact that you can now be as nerdy as you wish with all the statistics available makes cycling even more competitive.

There is of course a commercial side to cycling and if we are to be honest then there is a whole market out there for road, mountain and leisure cyclists that the South East region is missing out on. As the closest point to the UK, by boat and ferry, there really is a vast untapped market of potential affluent customers to the South East and yet they do not come.

The opening of the Greenway will of course help us draw this lucrative market but it will only do so if we are prepared to tell people about what we have to offer. To date our international promotion of the City, County and the greater region have been sadly lacking and I do wonder if we are to forever remain, in terms of international tourism, the Quiet County and forgotten region! Or perhaps it suits others that we remain the Cinderella in terms of our tourism opportunities.

Yes, we do have sooooo much to offer and I see this every weekend whilst out on the Penny Farthing. But what I do not see are lots of foreign tourist out enjoying the same fresh air, the stunning scenery, the beautiful beaches, challenging roads and the great hospitality.

My bike has taken me many places and given me the time to clear my mind to allow my creative juices to flow and I just wonder if those promoting this great region actually take the time to do the same.

Dunmore East 1916 commemoration

On Monday, 25th April the Society is hosting the unveiling of a memorial stone to the men and women who took part in the 1916 Easter Rising. It will take place at 1pm at the Garden of Remembrance which is opposite the Azzurro restaurant.

The 6th class children from all the six primary schools in the Barony will be in attendance with one child from each school taking part in the unveiling.

All are welcome.

A new weekly LGBT event, with No Cover Charge, launches Thursday 21st April in The Reg. DJ Kolyn Byrne will host the night, playing all the best Party hits from 10pm til late.

It’s a great way to kick your weekend off early with the party in full swing all night long. We would like to welcome all members of the South East’s LGBT community to make The Reg your home on Thursday nights and enjoy sexy cocktails & lots of fun every Thursday night. Kolyn has great experience from Ireland’s best Gay venues and is excited to bring all the best elements of these to The Reg every Thursday night.

Our GLAM launch party is on Thursday April 21st with Drinks Promotions, Giveaways and complimentary Finger Food from 10pm. So Glam yourself up and get Downtown to The Reg every Thursday night for something a little different!

visit Fairbrook House Gardens and Museum, Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford

Open 1st of May until 30th of September. Open Wednesday - Sunday By appointment tel. 051 384657. http://www.fairbook -house.com e: art@fairbrook-house.com

Amazing and unusual gardens laid out since 1992 and evolved over the years by Dutch artists Wout Muller and Clary Mastenbroek. A very personal, detailed and romantic walled garden. Formal structure, with snake walls, raised borders, obelisks, all from recycled material. of former mill buildings, knocked down before the artists bought the former Fairbrook mill. Box, Beech hedges, ponds and pools, laid out within ruins of the mill buildings. Herbaceous flower beds in the upper borders combined with vegetables in the kitchen garden and fruit.

Eye catcher ; four purple lavender borders combined with ladies mantle and surounded by forty five creamy white Winchester Cathedrals, an English David Austin rose. A pool in the basin of the former dye house, where water is cleaned by wetland. Meander yourself through these amazing gardens with mysterious hidden rooms enclosed by remaining ruins of the mill and feel the history of this industrial heritage. Separated by the narrow road, the water and woodland garden with historic millpond.

You will see bog trout swimming in the crystal clear river Dawn. Huge numbers of birds, butterflies, and dragon flies, Bees and bumble bees also discovered this paradise.

In the out building ,a private museum with an exhibition of unique magic realistic art. , Paintings, prints and objects they take you away in a different world.

Afterwards with a cup of tea on the terrace to finish your outing in paradise.

Whitfield Clinic and UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre recently held a successful Cake Sale with all proceeds to the Irish Cancer Society.

€2,108 was raised and presented to the Irish Cancer Society. Ollie Keohan of UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre was delighted with the enthusiasm and support for the event. “The staff, patients and visitors to the Clinic really got behind this fundraiser. For so many it’s a cause close to their hearts and we were inundated with home bakes and donations for this wonderful organisation.”

Following another busy year The Grow Project in Ferrybank is currently recruiting a new intake of budding horticulturalists. As the weather improves and the soil warms up preparations are under way for the start of a new QQI Level 5 Horticulture course beginning in May.

The course is an Education and Training Board funded local training initiative and operates a fulltime 48 week training programme teaching a broad range of key vocational skills including small scale vegetable and fruit production, nursery growing, plant identification, and design along with a unique work placement programme. Course trainees will receive an ETB training allowance.

Mullen is a three-time gold medal winner at Bloom, most recently winning a Gold Medal for the Best Large Show Garden and Best in Show Garden at Bloom 2013. He is clearly passionate about design and the course has a strong focus on teaching students design skills from planting schemes to design and build projects. He describes the programme as "a unique course which aims to provide trainees with the opportunity to develop and practice design skills by participating in practical hands-on installation projects as part of the course timetable. This affords trainees the opportunity to gain unique work experience constructing installations for local community events such as the Waterford Harvest Festival and Winterval."

Sinead O’Neill Hartery, Winterval CEO, can’t praise the work of past students highly enough. "The Grow Project have created many amazing and wonderfully magical garden installations for Winterval over the years. I am constantly amazed at the high standard of creativity, design and construction skills demonstrated by the course students every year. Their creations are a fascinating mix of horticultural skills blended with construction and craft skills to create imaginative pop-up garden installations that everyone adores. I can’t wait to see what this new group of trainees design and produce! "

Past student and graduate of The Grow Project, Eimear Delahunty, is now working fulltime as Assistant Grower for GIY in Waterford. She tells how "the course gave me the skills and confidence to pursue my dream career working in the horticulture industry. I developed a broad range of skills on the course, most of which I use in my job nearly every day now. Gaining a QQI Level 5 award was a huge stepping stone in getting me where I am today and I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking of pursuing a career in horticulture".

For further information on the upcoming QQI Level 5 Horticulture course please contact The Grow Project on 051 832002 or email your contact details to gmullen@wap.ie

Waterford Institute of Technology will partner with WLRfm Waterford Viking Marathon this year sponsoring the much sought after goody bag for the event which takes place on June 25th.

In addition, as part of the partnership, staff in the Department of Health, Sport & Exercise Science at WIT are providing expert training advice and information for runners in the lead up to the event through the WIT website, the department’s blog and social media pages.

WIT is fully supportive of this year’s event and many staff and students are training to take part in the Full, Half, Quarter and Relay marathon.

Olive O’Connor, Marketing & Communications Manager at WIT said. "We are delighted be to be part of the Waterford Viking Marathon 2016 and we hope that we can help build on what is already a very successful and positive initiative for Waterford and the region.

Michael Garland,

bizBoost Chair,

Waterford Business Group

Diggin’!

Over the next few weeks and months we will see work starting on the first phase of the City Urban Renewal scheme. A scheme that, we are promised, will transform the City Centre. With the reconfiguration of many of the main thoroughfares, access and egress points, that we are told that this will allow our City Centre to flourish and therefore be a more attractive proposition for much needed private investment.

It is hoped that this transformation to the cityscape, which will create a City environment that will be the catalyst for the Michael Street shopping development thus fulfilling our retailing Nirvana, giving the City Living Initiative a much needed boost to actually get it started and of course helping to drive the development of the North Quay as the much heralded Strategic Development Zone. There have been rumours of a possible €30 million re-invention of this part of Waterford City (pre-election rumours admittedly but an exciting prospect if funds can be secured).

Clearly, there is a lot of work in progress that has the potential to drive the City Centre forward and actually help us reclaim the mantle of the fourth City of Ireland, which Galway apparently stole from us a number of years ago. But why stop at being the "fourth best" City in Ireland when quite evidently we have all the attributes to get into the top three!

All of the above plans are well and good. But only if we ensure that by running in tandem we actually start to make the City Centre the proverbial beating heart of all things Waterford and I fear we have a long way to go before hoisting this flag.

It does appear that we are taking one step forward and possibly half a step back. For instance at the most recent Council meeting, the Councillors quite rightly voted for a Commercial Rates Incentives Scheme for Tramore. Now this should be supported, but not at the possible detriment to the businesses in the City Centre who are now the largest contributors to the Councils Rates. This Scheme was evidently parachuted in and never really given enough time for reasoned, sensible debated.

We could now have created an unfair advantage for a business to consider relocating to Tramore, where commercial rents are much, much cheaper and car parking rates are considerably lower and often free!

The obvious solution is to have parity on car parking charges across the City and County to allow shoppers to make their choice on where to shop, based on product, customer service, quality etc. We are now in a situation where Commercial Rates are standardised and Rates Incentive Schemes are standardised, but car parking in the City Centre is still seen as a "cash cow" and as such will always be significantly higher. It is now an income generator and not seen as the necessary service provision to drive UP footfall numbers.

It is very clear that if we are to develop the City Centre as an economic driver for the rest of the County and the wider region, then someone has to open their eyes and see the mixed messages we are currently promoting. We need brave decisions to be made that breakdown the old entrenched view, that businesses can continually be milked for what little profit they actually make and the reality is that we need to start supporting our existing businesses, if we are to make ALL these schemes and plans work. No potential new investor in their right mind will invest in any scheme, plan or pipedream if they see/read mixed and confused messaging. By all means incentivise businesses across the County, but do not do this at the very real cost to the jewel in our crown.

Like it or not, we need a vibrant Waterford City Centre and ALL the focus must be on this goal. Alas, we have been saying this for years and yet are we any closer to this?

Founded in 1802, by Brother Edmund Ignatius Rice, Mount Sion Primary School has always provided an exceptional education for the young boys of Waterford City.

While Mount Sion has evolved throughout it’s long history, Edmund Rice’s philosophy and mission remains at the core of the school’s pursuits.

Catering to 307 pupils today, Mount Sion offers a dynamic, caring environment to all students from play and pre-school ages right up to progression on to second level. Offering an "Education for Life", Mount Sion Primary School is the perfect school community for children.

We provide 2 levels of pre-school learning. Our experienced and highly trained staff, are all first aid trained. Through implementing the play based programmes of Síolta and Aistear and in conjunction with the Department of Early Childhood Education, Mount Sion Pre-School offers a gentle introduction for children into the educational system through play-based learning. We introduce the children to play based learning through our Play-School in year 1. The focus in year 1 is primarily on free play, helping to develop the children’s social skills.

They progress to the next level year 2, Pre-School. In the Pre-School year we continue with play-based learning, with more emphasis on planned play activities. These activities are both leader and child led.

Maurice McGee QFA, LIB Manager, EBS Waterford Advertorial

There comes the right stage in life when it’s time to flee the nest. But sometimes, that stage can drag on a little longer than it should – and there are subtle (or not-so-subtle) signs that this has happened. If you find yourself nodding along in self-sympathy to more than one of the following points, then it could be time to start the house hunt for your own sweet abode.

1. Your stuff has outgrown your bedroom

However hard you try, you just can’t throw out that giant monkey you won at Funderland in 2005. But he’s taking over a quarter of your floor space. And it’s not really helping that your Mam’s clothes and some extra ‘bits and bobs’ (that couldn’t possibly be stowed in the shed) are suddenly materialising in your wardrobe. Time to get a room of your very own – hey, maybe make that a few rooms.

2. Any episode of Games of Thrones

You’re now mature enough to sit through those intimate TV scenes with your parents, right...? Oh, wait. It’s still just as awkward. While you clear your throat and make a poor excuse about having to meet a friend, the appeal of a home of your own is as charming as ever.

3. The guilt trip if you don't make it home for dinner

Do you swallow a lump of guilt every time you hear the question, ‘So you’re not coming home for dinner?’ There are layers of connotations under this, such as, ‘That delicious casserole I spend hours preparing is for the bin, then!’

You find yourself giving at least two days’ notice if you won’t make mealtime, and on-top of this, turning down last-minute dates with your pals. They wouldn’t have been that fun anyway.

4. You avoid people from your past

You know it could be time for some independence when you’re avoiding college reunions like the plague, and you cross the road to escape a question like, ‘So, where are you living now?’

5. Your Facebook newsfeed makes you bitter

You’re tired of clicking ‘hide’ when you see those pictures of couples smiling smugly, holding shiny new keys amongst their moving boxes. You know you should be happy for them, but really, do they have to rub it in?

6. You just can’t eat another fish pie

You appreciate your parent’s cooking; you really do. But you have also started to appreciate that yours and your folks’ taste palettes, have, ah, gone their separate ways.

When you have to suppress the natural temptation to branch out and cook a Vindaloo, you might be ready for a home of your own.

7. Those judgemental eyes

You’re well past your teenage years – but your parents still don’t miss a trick. They mightn’t lecture you anymore if you haven’t vacuumed or if you came in at a bit of an unreasonable hour; but here comes that silent-yet-disapproving stare (and it’s just as effective).

If you can relate to any of the above, it could be time to start saving for a house of your own. Why not arrange a 30 Minute Meeting with an EBS mortgage advisor? We’ll go through your options and give you the advice you need to plan for the big move. We’ll meet you anytime you like, too – even on weekends.

First, it might be a good idea to get the ball rolling with our First Time Buyer guide, and you can also use our mortgage calculator to find out how much you may be able to borrow.

If you have any queries about opening an EBS savings account, call 1850 654 321 or email info@ebs.ie.

EBS Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

This month GIY Tramore is looking at growing carrots and parsnips, crops that some gardeners find tricky. The second half of May is a good time to sow, given the Irish climate, so it’s a chance to get some helpful advice for this season.

The local group has also been active in encouraging the next generation of growers, both in the primary schools and with the junior residents in Ocean View House.

Glór na Mara N.S. has a well established school garden and some of the teachers involved with this project will start the meeting by giving a short presentation on the inspiring work being done there.

The meeting is on Wednesday, 11th May at 7.30pm in Ocean View House (at the roundabout at the end of the prom).

For further information, email giytramore@gmail.com or call 086-3695252.

Knockanore Farmhouse Cheese Farm Visit, Knockanore Farmhouse Cheese, Ballyneety, Knockanore, Co. Waterford – May 9th, 11.00 AM – 1.00 PM~

Throughout May, as part of the Discover Farmhouse Cheese programme, farmhouse cheesemakers will be opening their doors and gates to the Irish public. All farm visits are free to attend but you must book your place online. The first farm visit in May will take place at the Knockanore Farmhouse Cheese, Ballyneety, Knockanore, Co. Waterford on Monday, 9th May, from 11.00 AM – 1.00 PM.

Knockanore Cheese Co Ltd produces award winning unpasteurised cow’s milk cheddar cheese from their own pedigree Friesian herd. Visitors will meet the owner Eamonn Lonergan for a guided tour of their manufacturing facility and view the cheese making, packaging and labelling progress with an opportunity for cheese tasting. Each visitor will receive a sample wedge free of charge and there will be opportunities for discussion.

Omnishambles!

"Noun, plural omnishambles. A situation, especially in politics, in which poor judgement results in disorder or chaos with potential disastrous consequences." According to all things Wikipedia, this word is a compound word made up from the Latin prefix "omni" meaning "all" and the word "shambles" meaning complete and utter disorder.

This word was first used in the BBC TV series and political satire "The Thick of it" and in particular was used by the lead character Malcolm Tucker, aka Peter Capaldi, who strangely enough would later go on to become the twelfth incarnation of that most famous of Doctors - Doctor Who.

We have seen over the last few weeks, in fact months, political dithering on such an enormous scale that you could well believe that we have been watching a satirical TV series plotting the formation of a new Irish Government in 2016!

The all encompassing media have revelled in telling us, night after night after night, that there have now been many behind closed doors private meetings and reports of dark shadows skulking and scurrying around the corridors of power in Dáil Éireann. But are we really any the wiser as to what is actually going on?

I would say NO. The fact of the matter is that, we, as the electorate are being treated with contempt and almost as though we are something, not so nice smelling, that you would stand on whilst out walking down in the pedestrianised area of any high street.

My sentiment is that we are being contemptuously treated by the political glitterati that was reinforced towards the end of last week when, for the right or wrong reasons, we were informed that one of our highly paid TD’s was applying for legal aid to fight a court case!

Now where is the sense in that? There are people in genuine need of legal aid not receiving it and now here we are with one of our elected representatives asking for yet more of our hard earned tax payers’ money to pay for his own legal defence!!!!!

Are our TDs not handsomely paid and have they not been on holiday for the last ten weeks?

These issues have irked, angered and annoyed the living daylights out of me for the last few days and, in discussion with colleagues and friends, I have often asked what people are doing about it! The reply is more often than not a resigned intake of breath before the answer "Well what can I do and anyway they will not do anything about it!"

Unfortunately, this stock answer is exactly what is expected and I have no doubt that is why the political map of Ireland never really changes. People are either too tired of asking or there is such a malaise with all things political that nobody is prepared to put the necessary pressure on our TD’s to make real positive change.

This seeming unwillingness to ask and drive home the hard questions, or be that Terrier with his bone, and being prepared to fight to get the right answers has trickled down to local politics and local decision making.

The fact of the matter is that we, as citizens, and local businesses are plainly not prepared to fight for what is right, proper and correct. There are far too many recent examples of us just sitting back and accepting what is thrown at us.

The collective strength in numbers does affect positive change and creates opportunities for businesses to "barter a better deal". If only more people believed in this mantra and were prepared to not just put a hand above the parapet, but were prepared to stand on the parapet and shout!

As long as we remain silent voters we will be treated as mushrooms and always kept in the dark.

Waterford is transitioning with the various highly publicised developments beginning to start. The future of Waterford must be in the hands of the citizens and businesses that fund that change.

Silence is never golden!