Social Farming – A Form Of Social Support
Social Farming is the practice of offering activity on family farms as a form of social support service.
By Marian Marnett
In Social Farming the farm remains a working farm at its core but invites people to participate in the day to day activities on the land.
Interested farmers and farm families who would like to hear more about Social Farming can contact James, at West Limerick Resources CLG, on 087 366 3842 or email jledwith@wlr.ie
Saint Rock Feast Day – August 16th
O God, who by the ministry of an angel didst give to glorious Saint Rock a promise engraved on a tablet, that whosoever would invoke his name should be preserved from pestilence and all mortal and contagious diseases.
Grant that we who revere his memory, may through his intercession be delivered in soul and body from all mortal and contagious diseases through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Saint Rock, please pray for us and preserve us from all mortal and contagious diseases, including the coronavirus COVID-19. Amen
West Limerick Community Radio
WL102fm has provided a great service throughout West Limerick since the lockdown began with Mass being broadcast every Sunday, loads of country and western music, all genres of music but you see where my heart lies! a daily rosary and local news from the county as well as current affairs and documentaries.
By the terms of the licence that they get to broadcast, they must raise a share of their running costs in the community that they serve and over the years volunteers have organised concerts, car boot sales, tea dances and sold raffle tickets as well as organising a yearly church gate collection at all the local churches.
That all came to a halt on March 14 last and they are now hoping to restart the weekly draw in order to get an income stream going again.
Tickets are on sale all over the West Limerick area and in Abbeyfeale at Ann Lyons’s, The Square for €2 each. Please be generous in your support.
Farmers’ Market Reopens
The weekly market has returned to the small square from 9-1pm every Friday. We thank you for your continued support.
Abbeyfeale Community Alert
bbeyfeale Community Alert is accepting donations of €10 to help run the text alert system as the funds raised some years ago have now run out.
Mind Your Dogs
If you are the owner of a dog please be aware that there are gangs of people going around searching out dogs and stealing them for puppy farms or as bait for dog fights or to be sold on as family pets.
They sometimes mark house piers or fences or gates with chalk or cable ties so keep an eye on your property if you own a dog.
If you don’t own a pet why not rescue a dog from one of the many dog rescue organisations if you have decided to get a pet.
Domestic Abuse Victims
If you are the victim of domestic abuse the Gardai have a pro-arrest policy where a power of arrest exists to protect spouses or partners and your family. Contact 068 30010 if you feel threatened.
Monitored Alarm System
When you reach the age of 65 and live alone or with a person/s aged over 65 you are entitled to receive a monitored alarm system.
But if you have younger people living in the house who are out for long periods of the day then, because you are spending hours alone you are also entitled to the system provided that you are over 65.
The free equipment is provided by Pobal following an application from Abbeyfeale Community Alert, there will be a monitoring fee to be paid from the second year of installation to the installing company of €72.
There may be some confusion over the word free – the equipment which costs in the region of €400 is provided free of charge by Pobal as is the first year of monitoring but after that you will be charged by the installing company for the monitoring.
Panic Button Criteria
If you fulfil the criteria for a panic button the installing company will drop the gear to your door and then let you set up the connection yourself with assistance over the phone from their staff.
I have been assured that it’s only a matter of connecting a cable and anyone can do it.
If you want to get a panic button then ring Abbeyfeale Garda Station on 068 30010 and they will contact a member of Abbeyfeale Community Alert.
If you don’t have a landline the installing company will provide a sim card at a rate of €7.50 per month payable from day one.
Then, in year two you will also receive a bill for the monitoring fee so in year one the bill will be €90 and in year two and every other year after it will €162 approx. If you wish you can arrange a direct debit and pay this amount off monthly.
Committee members are Michael O’Kelly, Seamus Stack, Mossie Gleeson, Kathleen Collins, Mary McArthur, John O’Sullivan, Billy Quirke, Cllr. Francis Foley, Catherine Daly, Maurice O’Connell and Marian Harnett.
Rural Employment Service
Do you need support job seeking and feel that you are a little lost in deciding what you want to do?
Then you should contact the Rural Employment Service or the Youth Employment Service which offers one-to-one support and career planning around education, training and employment opportunities.
To find out more contact Finn on 087 759 1951 or Eddie on 087 653 5156 or Dee on 087 918 5557 or Adrienne on 087 277 3294.
Check out the RES Facebook page for the latest in employment and training opportunities in County Limerick and beyond at: www.facebook.com/RES-144618922850869/
Further Education Help from West Limerick Resources
Even in these difficult times it is good to make positive plans for the future. If you hope/intend on going to college in September 2020.
WLR can support you with your SUSI Grant Application Form. Leaving Cert students, mature students and parents are welcome to contact Adrienne on 087 277 3294 or email aoconnell@wlr.ie for advice and guidance.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018-2022 is funded by the Irish Government through the Department of Rural and Community Development and co-funded by the European Social Fund under the Programme for Employ-ability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020.
