Drum Notes

Drum Thomastown Golf Society AGM The Annual General Meeting of Thomastown Golf Society took place in Millar's of Ballydangan on Tuesday February 23 with a good turn out of members present. The following officers were elected for the coming year: Captain Bernie Flynn; President Joe Moore; Vice-Captain Lil Shine; Vice-President Martha Callinan; Secretary Brid Moore; Treasurer Maura O'Brien. Committee Pakie Naughton, Josephine McManus, Assumpta Walsh, Pat Moynihan, Leo Flynn and Paddy O'Brien. Ex-Officio Mary Seale and Seamus McCormack. The outgoing Captain Mary Seale and outgoing President Seamus McCormack thanked their families and committee for a wonderful year. They thanked the Naughton family for the use of Golf course and clubhouse and congratulated all last year's winners. They also wished the incoming committee they very best of luck and extended a speedy recovery to their sick members. Thanks and appreciation was also extended to Margaret Fallon for press coverage of all competitions. The Society's Annual Christmas Party held at Millars of Ballydangan on December 5 was a great success and enjoyed by all who attended. The Society wish to extend sincere thanks to Gerry Kelly for kindly sponsoring the band for the occasion. Membership for the coming year will remain at €15 and new members would be most welcome. The Junior Golf Society will resume as soon as possible weather permitting. Senior adult members will attend on Saturdays to give tuition and mark cards. The first competition of the year 'The Millennium Cup' takes place on the weekend of March 12th, 13th and 14th 2010. The Captain's and President's Drive-in takes place on Sunday March 14 at 5.30pm followed by presentation of prizes in the clubhouse. Before the conclusion of the meeting during which time the committee reflected on a very successful year just past a vote of sympathy was extended to any member who had been bereaved in 2009. Jimmy Flynn a founder member of Thomastown Golf Society was congratulated on his recent appointment as Captain of Ballinasloe Golf Club. The good wishes of the Society go to Jimmy for the coming year. Carers' Respite Weekend Drum was represented at the 19th Annual Respite Weekend and Conference in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway over the weekend February 26, 27 and 28, when a group of twelve travelled from the Athlone Carers Support Group. The theme this year was 'Sustaining Long Term Care .... a fair deal for family carers'. The objective of the conference was to set out the vision of caring for Carers Ireland in relation to future policy. The debate furthered a deeper understanding of and commitment to the development of an integrated and co-ordinated Community Care Service. It also acknowledged the family carer as a key partner in care provision and in particular long term care in the community. The issues for discussion at the Conference will contribute to the National Debate on the future of caring in the community and strategy to support a fair and equitable system for family carers in challenging times. The family continues to be the strongest and most reliable source of care for older people, people with disabilities and those who are chronically ill. Caring for Carers Ireland is a National Organisation for family carers. It is committed to ensure that policy makers are aware of the key issues which impact on the lives of 161,000 family carers and influence their abilities to continue to provide care. Caring for Carers Ireland is a National Non-Governmental Organisation supporting Family Carers. Caring for Carers aims to promote the health, wellbeing and quality of life of family carers and those for whom they care by promoting recognition of their role, providing respite care, home care, information, training and advocacy to promote social inclusion within the context of the Carers' Charter. Guest speaker at the Conference included Minister Aine Brady T.D. Department of Health and Children; Marian Harkin M.E.P.; Paschal Moynihan, Director of Services for Older People H.S.E. West; Pat Braiden (President of Soroptimists Ireland) and native of Athlone; Judith Ironside, President of Caring and Carers Ireland; Eilish Smith, Chairperson of Caring for Carers Ireland; Prof. Joyce O'Connor, Patron Caring for Carers Ireland and Mary McMahon C.E.O. of Caring for Carers Ireland. Minister Eamon O'Cuiv, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Cllr. Tom McHugh, Mayor of Co. Galway were guest speakers at the Gala Banquet on Saturday evening. Drum and Clonown Community Games The following dates should be noted by anyone with an interest in Community Games and parents are urged to encourage their children to get involved in the local heats: Thursday March 4th at Clann na nGael Clubhouse, Johnstown Boys and Girls under-13, under-16 table tennis. Anyone interested please come along. On Sunday March 7th in Drum Parish Hall a Table Quiz for boys and girls under-14. Drum Cemetery Voluntary Group The Drum Cemetery Voluntary Group Committee are seeking volunteers for the coming Saturdays to work in the Cemetery between the hours of 11a.m. and 3p.m. Any help would be most welcome. Just come along. Variety Show in Moore Hall A Variety Show including comedy, song and dance will be hosted in Moore Hall next weekend March 5th, 6th and 7th at 8.30p.m. All proceeds will go to St. Hilda's School, Athlone and Moore Community Funds. A great night's entertainment is guaranteed. Clann na nGael Lotto Numbers drawn on the weekend of February 28th 2010 were 1,4,7, and 16. The jackpot of €9,600 was not won. The nine 'match three' winners who receive €25 each were Claire Grehan (Bernie Reilly), Enda Shine (Gary Shine), Karen Byrne (Bernie Reilly), Jessie Kilkenny (James Curley), Rose Milton (James Curley), Chrissie (Paula Dunning), John Conway (Bernie Reilly), Gerard Kelly (James Curley) and Liam Dunne (Liam Dunne). The jackpot next week will be €9,800 and the venue for the draw is the Athlone Springs Hotel.