NEW YEAR GREETINGS

EVERYONE IN GRANDVILLIERS WISHES ATHY AND AROUND PEOPLE A HAPPY AND PEACEFULL NEW YEAR 2012 !

CHRISTMAS 2011 and YEAR 2012

All members of the GRANDVILLIERS Twinning committee, everyone in Grandvilliers wish to all their ATHY's friends a Merry Christmas and a HAPPY NEW YEAR !

So this is Christmas...

Run to visit Emma at Clancy's, best and friendly pub in IRELAND !

MANY YOUNG MEN OF TWENTY at the Athy Community Arts Center

11th Shackleton Autumn School 2011

UPCOMING EVENTS




11th Shackleton Autumn School 2011 - Friday



28 October 2011



7.15pm Official Opening of the 11th Shackleton Autumn School & Exhibition Launch



7.45pm Book Launch - In association with the Erskine Press the school will host the launch of Simon Beaufort's book 'The Nimrod Murders'



11th Shackleton Autumn School 2011 - Daily Exhibitions



28 October 2011 - 31 October 2011



Daily Exhibitions – 10.00am – 5.00pm -



11th Shackleton Autumn School 2011 - Saturday



29 October 2011


11th Shackleton Autumn School 2011 - Sunday



30 October 2011


Lecture Series



10.00am “The Cinematic Race to the Pole” Jan Anders Diesen

English and French workshop !

Since the beginning of October, Mrs Chauchat, chairperson of Grandvilliers JJC, is teaching english to members of Grandvilliers Twinning Committee.
News : French teaching will begin in Athy, for members of the Athy Twinning Group, shortly (i.e beginning of November).
Good news for all involved ..............;

NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIP 2011

It'll be some years before the Ploughing will come back to Athy. This year was to commemorate the 80th anniversary of its launch in Athy. Some members of our twinning committee stayed there for 3 days, during this event. Great event .......and thanks to the irish families where french people stayed.

EUROPEAN DAY OF LANGUAGES

Each year, on 26th september is taking place the European Day of languages.
Athy Town twinning committees will follow that day by teaching to adults french language and Grandvilliers twinning committee members will learn english with courses beginning on next 4th October.

NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIP 2011

Some delegates from Grandvilliers visited Athy and the Ploughing 2011 during 3 days. Welcomed by their irish families, they went as usually at Clancy's and Frank O'Brien's pubs. They also visited the Ploughing where they saw a bigger crowd, more stands, more machinery.... than past year. They enjoyed very much...

                                                     Hillbilly Porter on stage during the Ploughing

On Wed. evening, they could attend to the Town council meeting where they were introduced by Cathaoirleach Richard Daly to the council members. They also met M. Nolan, Kildare Mayor. Chairman J.P Vasseur insisted on strong links existing now between both towns, with the help of Cllr Thomas Redmond and the Athy Twinning Group. Both Photographic Societies worked altogether during quite one day.
The both twinning committees now work for 2012 common events and citizens meetings. The group visited the Heritage Center where is a very good exhibition about WW1 soldiers life in trenches.

Heritage Center WW1 exhibition

PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIP PARADE

Will take place on Monday 19th evening, in town.

WW1 CONVENTION ATHY

In the Athy Heritage Centre-Museum, Emily Square and Green Area


Fri 9th Sat 10th & Sun 11th September

(Note: The Interactive Battlefield plus workshops will be open to the public until 7th October 2011)

Drama ‘March Away My Brothers’ by Brendan MacQuaile: Irish Soldiers and Their Music in the Great War. Fri 9th at 9.pm in Athy Community Arts Theatre

Lecturer Kevin Myers ‘Athy and The Great War’ @ 6 pm on Sat ...10th Sept .in the Carlton Abbey Hotel.

Living History - Full line up outdoor featuring Lord Edwards Own and many other Irish Re-enactors

Displays, Workshops- Recruitment Office.

Military Historian on site to help you trace your ancestors.



Interactive Battlefield Scene in Athy Heritage Centre-Museum from Sat 10th Sept to Fri 7th October 2011

Walk through Trenches.

Head Quarters

Battle scenes to include full scale crashed replicas of DR1 Triplane and Mark 1 British Tank.

Exhibits -Uniforms, Medals, Trench Art & Military Memorabilia

Inquiries/Bookings:

Ph: 059 8633075 or call into Athy Heritage Centre-Museum

www.athyheritagecentre-museum.ie . Email: athyheritage@eircom.net

WHO IS WINSENT !

Business for the greater good


Social entrepreneurs are unreasonable people. They are the mavericks who refuse to accept the status quo. They look at the world, are dissatisfied with what they see, and resolve to change it. They are both dreamers and doers; imagining a brighter future and setting about making that dream into a reality. They are true entrepreneurs; innovators who are passionate and resourceful, who are prepared to take risks and who apply their energy, drive and ambition to effecting social change.

WINSENT, a new project part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, based in Athy is providing free assistance, guidance and a range of supports to any social entrepreneur or enterprise based in Kildare.

Aisling Duffy, WINSENT project development office for Kildare, explains. “We offer a mentoring role which would include assistance with feasibility studies, business planning, funding applications, board of directors training, staffing and advice. It is also a networking opportuinity. We aim to find the social entrepreneusrs to harness their skills and knowldge and let others benefit from them.”

This free service is now available to social entrepreneurs in Kildare. “We are here to support and assist,” she adds.

Winner of the Kildare Entreprenuerial Awards 2011 and shortlisted for Social Entrepreneurs Ireland 2011, Karen Leigh is no stranger to WINSENT.

Sensational Kids is a social enterprise set up to provide affordable therapy services for children of all abilities.

“WINSENT found me. I didn’t realise Sensational Kids was a social enterprise until then. We are now a client. They give free advice, mentoring. I am the founder and CEO of Sensational Kids and we would be in frequent contact with WINSENT,” Ms Leigh said. She also availed of a two-day workshop from a top American consultant that she found invaluable.

“Social enterpirse is not a traditional chairty. It’s innovative. We don’t depend on donations or government funding. We run a business to fund our service and to address a social problem. We are self-funding.” Currently it employs 12 people, a combination of healthcare professionals, occupatrional, admin and retail.

In terms of the ongoing recession, Ms Leigh said the client base of children is increasing all the time. “It’s hard for parents, parents who don’t have the funds and can’t afford our service or the subsidised service, which is sad. We do our best for these families, as much as we can.”

“I love my job. I’d never go back. You need to have passion to be a social entrepreneur. You are doing it for the goodness of the community, that is Karen Leigh, Sensational Kids. Aisling Duffy, Winsent. Story Lisa Deeney, Photo. Jimmy Fullam. what drives you. We are not driven by profit, we are driven by providing a social affordable therapy service for children, that is our bottom line.”

WINSENT, based in the Athy Community Enterprise Centre, is actively looking for social enterprise clients to support. They can be contacted on 087 6522422.

2011 EUROPEAN SUMMER UNIVERSITY

Each good thing have an end...

Claire, Ciana, Eddie, Romain receiving FCJO medal

So, on 16th July evening took place the final show of the 2011 university.
Today, all are leaving Compiegne, with tears in their eyes.....

European Summer University 2011

Bus drove youngs from Compiegne to Grandvilliers where Cllr M. Kehren welcomed the group and made a small tour of the town. La Balad'Irlandaise (Grandvilliers-Athy twinning committee) did the same in the outskirts of the town where was taking place the bbq. Members of the commitee, helped by Alain (of the local fishing club). Good food and "sieste" after were what youngs were needing. The four representing our town and Athy (Cianan Curran, Eddie Davis, Claire Teggin and Romain Depeaux) made a small speech to introduce themselves and thanks the town of Grandvilliers as well as the committee and Alain.
They left to Gerberoy where a guided tour of the village was made by Mrs Autricque, Maire.

VISIT TO THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

It was on Friday 1st July early in the morning. 1916, at Lochnagar crater, no noise, just birds singing... at 7.28am, a huge explosion took place, blowing hundreds. In 2011, poppies were thrown into the crater to remember.
Then we go to small village of Contalmaison where is a small scottish memorial. This village was hold by scottish and the ceremony was just for them. Then we go to Thiepval memorial where a big crowd was attending. After lunch , we go to Thiepval Ulster Tower, and when was annouced "Ville de Grandvilliers and Ville d'Athy", Jacques Larcher, Maire of Grandvilliers, with Mrs Bernadette Crosse, representing the town of Athy, M. Eddie Davis and Miss Claire Teggin, youngs of our both towns, lay a wrath where are our both flags.

On our way back, we stopped at Pozières cemetary. M. Michael Dunne, here privately, had to lay a small bunch of flowers on the wall where his grand dad's name is engraved.

Great moment of deep emotion !

NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIP IRELAND

COME ON to celebrate the 80th  ! next 20/21/22 september ...

Informations  : 

National Ploughing Association, Fallaghmore,
Athy, Co. Kildare, Ireland

Phone 059-8625125  Fax 059-8625172

GREAT CRAIC LAST WEEK-END !!

From past Friday to Manday, we had a terrific week-end. Athy twinning committee chairman, Cllr Thomas Redmond, and his group involving a lot of new families (among them some french living in Athy) had worked hard for us.
No rest for us during that week-end !
Oise Tourism  County Show draw winner is Mrs our Miss Bernadette FLANAGAN from CARLOW.
There was some French flavour too with the Athy-Granvillers Twinning Committee, the Picardy Tourism Office and the MFR Agriculture College trade stand. French teacher Soffia Lambert was impressed. "We have been so warmly welcomed it is just brilliant. People are so nice, so cheerful, so friendly and chatting. We bought some local cheese and jam from France and we are giving out samples. It is all really nice."

More news later, and waiting them if you wish to enlist the group, ring 059 8631444 and ask your questions !

ATHY TWINNING COMMITEE CONFERENCE

Twin Towns Athy & Grandvilliers Celebrate Volunteering

Saturday 18th June, 2011

On Saturday June 18th, Athy and Grandvilliers Twinning Committees will host a one day conference to celebrate the European Year of Volunteering. 30 Grandvilliers representatives will be visiting to attend the conference and take part in special events in the town.
The conference will be held in Athy Community College, starting at 9.00am with registration and concluding in the early afternoon.
The conference will focus on voluntering in the community, on the many aspects of volunteering and how it can help to create a greater bond in the community.
Among the speakers on the day will be Sr Consilio of Cuan Mhuire,   Cuan Mhuire is Ireland’s largest voluntary provider of Rehabilitation Treatment for individuals suffering from addiction and other related issues.  Since its formation in 1966 by Sr. Consilio, Cuan Mhuire has treated over 75,000 people.  Its main objective is the rehabilitation of persons suffering from alcohol, drug and gambling addictions.
Also speaking on the day will be Anne Byrne, Anne has worked for KARE for over twenty years and was instrumental in the introduction of the Best Buddies programme to KARE.
Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Finally on the day, Mick Power of the Kildare Volunteer Centre will present on volunteering and volunteerism, having established the Volunteer Centre in County Kildare, The Kildare Volunteer Centre is the organisation tasked with the development of all aspects of Volunteering in County Kildare, Mick is well qualified to give detailed insights into all areas of volunteerism.
If you or someone from your organisation would like to attend please contact conference organiser David Walsh on 086 8280878 to reserve a place. There are still a limited number of places available for the conference on a first come first served basis.

THE NAKED MAN ADVENTURER

One young man from Athy, Mr Keith Whelan, is rowing solo from South-Est Africa (Mauritius Island)  to Australia to get funds for kids, not any kids but those unfortunaly hit by HIV.

 Waiting you'll give a donation to :

He rows, rows and rows......during 110 days.

Bravo to Keith Whelan !

http://thenakedadventurer.com

IMPROVING FRENCH

Next week, one young from Athy will arrive there for 6 weeks : 4 in a french family and 2 attending European Summer University. French family parents are working in the Community College.
In 2 weeks another guy from Ballymore Eustace will be there also for the same time and will be hosted by a french family. The man is working for reseach in a worldwide company and the woman is hairdresser (Oxygene is the name of her shop) in Grandvilliers. He'll also attend European Summer University.

Welcome to you, lads !

SHORT TRIP TO ATHY

Our chairman travelled one day to Athy to give informations to members of the Athy Twinning Committee about next visit to our twin town. During the Kildare County Show, we'll have an indoor stallin common with MFR school and our district tourism office.
They altogether spoke about timetable of the 17/20th June week-end. They also met Mr David Walsh who will travel to France in July for Battle of the Somme commemorations, with Cllr James Mahon.
Thanks to Cllr Thomas Redmond, Tom Kelly, Michael O'Brien (famous collector of David Brown tractors), Tina....and others for their help. They after all meet in Clancy's for a pint.

Chairman Jean-Pierre Vasseur also met Mr and Mrs Curran as their son, Cianan, who will stay in Grandvilliers for one and half month to improve his french and Mr Brian O'Gorman, Town Clerk, about arrangements which could be taken to present our town present to Athy.

He also  paid a visit to Mr Frank O'Brien to speak about Athy Town history and local characters.                         

On Emily Square is now the 1798 remembering monument (photo)

News from our twin town : Athy Arts Center is now in its second year of opening with great success (concerts, exhibitions...). It is located in the Methodist Church in Offaly Street.
Another young, Mr Edward Davis, will stay at the same time as Cianan with another french family in Grandvilliers. Himself and Cianan could attend European Summer University in July.
Great thanks to Mr Joe Boland (Kildare County).

ST PATRICK EVENING

As each year, we have a special evening which is not really on S Pat's Day, due to bookings of the Community Hall. This year, it was on 12th March.
Good Food by chief Frederic, Good music by "Lough'ed" coming straight from Enniskillen and Sligo, good dancers of Sarah Clarke Academy and good DJ, Jeremy, at the end.
Each one have appreciated this very friendly evening. Next year on 17th March...

                                                             Our Official photograph, Joel

ST PATRICK 2011 IN ATHY

With the agreement of our Athy friend , Evelyn, we publish some photos of last thuesday.
More later....

SAINT PATRICK'DAY 2011

Each member of our twinning committee wishes everyone in ATHY and around a VERY HAPPY ST PATRICK'DAY 2011

Clare KAMBAMETTU, Rose of Tralee 2010 visit to GRANDVILLIERS

During last week-end the Rose 2010, Clare Kambamettu of ATHY, visited our town. This occasion was due to our Grandvilliers Miss 2011  contest.
Clare had a rushing Friday with visiting a class of English of Ferdinand Buisson secondary school, then the training college Jules Verne. After a quick lunch she go straight to Songeons to visit the MFR school, where she met Mr Rob Porquier, director, and Soffia Lambert, well know by some farmers or horse trainers around ATHY. The afternoon finished with the visit of Elderly Hospital. The nursing home choir sang something to welcome Clare; At 7pm, she attended the twinning committee AGM, which finished first by a food on finger, and finished again by a good meal at L'Etoile restaurant. On saturday morning, she met kids and staff of Bethanie de la Fondation des apprentis d'Auteuil where she exhanged work experiences about kids with the staff.
In the evening, took place election of Miss Grandvilliers 2011 where Clare made a very remarkable appearance. Didn't she signed many hundreds of autographs, mainly kids (boys and girls) as well as adults.
Sunday was quiet. Just a visit in the afternoon of the medieval village of Gerberoy.

It was time to go back to Beauvais airport.
Big thanks to Clare and Valerie Kerins.