Artefacts and memorabilia from ‘old Moate’ sought

Snowcream Dairies and the Roseland Ballroom are Moate institutions of the past - and there's a call going out for anyone with memorabilia or items associated with them to come forward.

Moate Men's Shed are planning a vintage room in the coming weeks to showcase images of the town in years gone by, and items associated with the major employers of yesteryear like Moate Railway Station, Snowcream Dairies and Moate Sales Yard, all of which are now closed.
“What we are looking for is old Moate artefacts, be it old pictures of the streets from the last century or more modern ones for our vintage room,” Johnny Doran from Moate Men's Shed explained.
“We've got the old switchboard from Moate Railway Station and we'd love to add to it. Somebody out there might have other pieces out there from the railway station, Snowcream, the Roseland or old Moate that they are willing to lend us for display,” he added.
It is the group's hope to have the vintage room ready for viewing for their upcoming Open Day this Friday, June 1 from 10am to 3.30pm.
“It's basically for people to come in, have a cup of tea and see what we are doing,” Johnny said of the event, adding that window boxes, flower barrows, bird feeders and boxes made by the group in their carpentry workshop will also be on display. 
All the plants used come from their tunnel and flower garden at the rear of their home along Main Street, just in front of Moate Community Centre.
Then on June 9, members will head for the bog to save the turf the traditional way, and people are invited to come along and help out in recreating times past.
During Heritage Week, running this year from August 18 to 26, Johnny Doran and the busy group plan to host a event featuring the vintage room and they'd love to hear from anybody with memorabilia or stories from Moate in years gone by.
Anyone who can help the group with their vintage room should call 086 3659614.