LIFFORD

Green Schools Award

Scoil Bhraide - Boyagh, Porthall have been informed that they are being awarded the Green Flag as a result of their participation in this years Green Schools Programme. The Green Flag award is presented by An Taisce in partnership with Donegal County Council and is in recognition of Scoil Bhraide having completed all mthe essential elements of the Green Schools Programme. There will be a celebration of the raising of the Green Flag in a ceremony at Scoil Bhraide itself tomorrow (Friday) at 2 pm. The school Board of Management would like to extend an open invitation to anyone wishing to attend and are looking forward to seeing as many parents, grand-parents, neighbours and past pupils to this occassion.

Sponsored International Walk

The Irish Wheelchair Association is seeking volunteers to participate in its Annual Sponsored International Walk next Easter. The walk is scheduled to take place from the March 19 to 29. Walkers of all ages will experience the unimaginable scope of one of the natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon, as well as the stunning Indian Trail. There will also be a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the Indians on their reservation while exploring the painted desert, track through the Kaibab National Forest. The journey will also take in part of the Route 66 together with breathtaking walks in the areas of the famous Hoover Dam and the deserts of Las Vegas. The funds raised will help the Irish Wheelchair Association who provide essential services for people with limited mobility in your area. If you feel you would like to take part please contact Juliette Gallagher on (087) 9975459 or any branch of the IWA.

Residents Group

At a general meeting held in the Lifford/Clonleigh Resource Centre last week, discussions aimed at forming a Residents/Community Group in the Ballindrait area. took place. The group will now meet regularly to discuss how to improve the overall apperance of the village and how to get together with like minded groups. All interested parties got their chance to express their views.

Athletic Club

There was an excellent turn out at the clubs annual meeting held on Thursday September 20. A new committee was elected on the evening with thanks being expressed to the past years hard working committee. The club are currently preparing for the cross-country with club training currently ongoing for seven to 13 year olds on Mondays and Thursdays from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm at Lifford Celtics Football Grounds at the Greenbrae. New members are always welcome to come along, please contact Maeve on (074) 9141630 or (074) 9142927 for further details. The first club outing will be at the County Cross-Country at Killybegs on Saturday October 6 at 12pm. Some of our training athletes will also be competing at the Primary Schools Cross-Country to be held at the Finn Valley Centre. The club sends their good wishes to all the local schools competing at this event.

Deele Harps

The under 8's age group continue with training sessions on Monday from 6 to 7pm. The seniors train every Tuesdayevening at the astro turf pitch from 8 to 9pm. The under-10's training are on Thursday from 6 to 7pm. All new members are very welcome.

The seniors beat Glenree United 5-1 on Sunday. Scorers for the home side were Shane Gallagher , Willie Porter and our new Brazilian signing Ronato. An outstanding performance by all on the home side with man of the match going to Ronato.

Mother and Toddler Group

The Lifford Mother and Toddler group continues each Wednesday at the Lifford/Clonleigh Resource Centre, Croaghan Heights from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm. Open to all children from birth to four years. Designed to give the very young pre-school children the best start out in life and give mums a well deservedbreak from the daily routine. Admission to all activites is free of charge.

Young Peoples Pilgrimage

Around 500 young people from all over Ireland spend a week in the French town of Lourdes with the IHCPT (The Irish Pilgrimage Trust) every Easter. Experienced adult carers visit the young people prior to the pilgrimage and accompany them throughout the entire week.

The Irish Pilgrimage Trust welcomes applications from young people of any religious denomination witha physical disability or illness (nine to 18 years inclusive), a learning disability (aged 11 to 21 years). Very serious ill children under the age of nine years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The IHCPT covers the cost of these young people selected to travel. If you know someone that feels they would be eligible and would benefit from a trip to Lourdes then please contact their office fro further details and an application form. Please note that the closing date for applications is Wednesday October 31.

Special Olympics

Good wishes go to all the Donegal athletes including Lifford's Gareth Egan who are all off to the Special Olympics World Games. Thegroup headed for Dublin for a civic reception with President Mary McAleese before departing for their trip of a lifetime to Shanghai where the games begin on Tuesday. Gareth will be taking part in the football tournaments and is wished well by all his family and friends.

Parish Envelopes

The new parish envelopes fro 2007/2008 will begin on the first Sunday in October. If you are new to the parish or somehow overlooked and did not receive your box of envelopes then please contact the parish office on (074) 9142001 from Monday to Friday 9.30 am to 1.30 pm.

BALLYLAW

BALLYLAW Farmers Group are using their October Meeting as an opportunity to celebrate their Charitable Fund Raising activities. In August the group held their annual barbecue when they raised over £7,000 for local cancer charities. At the meeting on Monday night, October 8, the group will hand over cheques to the charities. All those who helped make the event a success will be given an opportunity to hear about the crucial work of the cancer charities as well.

Members, old and new are invited to come along to Floyd's on Monday night at 8pm.

TWIN TOWNS

Forever Fathers

This local group of non-resident Fathers living away from their children held a very successful meeting in the Dergfinn Centre, Ballybofey on Monday, September 24. Issues discussed were Parental Alienation Syndrome where the ex-partner alienates the child subconsciously (or consciously) against other parent usually the father.

The father felt that there should be a positive intervention method where by the mother would stop this form of abuse as it not only abuse against the father but the human right of child to have two parents involved in their life (as Ireland has signed up to in the European Human Rights convention on this matter). Other situations discussed were the negative implications of fatherlessness in society and the bias of courts against fathers. Also the total injustice of unmarried fathers who do not have a legal right to parent their children was raised and considered inhuman.

The next meeting of this group for divorced, separated and unmarried fathers will be held on October 15 at 8pm in Buncrana. All Fathers in this situation are welcome to attend.

Twin Towns continued...

Grow Meetings

All of us at some time need help to cope with life's problems. These coping skills can be learned through attending Grow Meetings. Grow is a 12 step program using a group method, in a safe confidential weekly meeting. No referral needed, just come along to the Family Enrichment Centre on a Tuesday 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

Ring Elaine on 07491 61628 or Mary on 087 2330297 for more details. There is no cost. All welcome.

Dergfinn Cares

Dergfinn Partnership have spaces available on two free caring type courses to be held in the near future in Castlederg and Castlefin. The first is a caring one that carers can learn many aspects of caring for someone ill, disabled or older and is to commence on October 11 in Castlederg and will run for 10 weeks.

The second is a CPR and Defibrillator course (accredited) to be had in Castlefin Partnership Iniative on October 15, 22, and 23. If you are a carer, unwaged, single parents or have a disability you are welcome to participate in any of these courses. To register or to find out more details contact Mary or Paul on 0035374 9132438 or email Dergfinn@eircom.net. Other courses in the pipeline may include internet, food preparation and hygiene (both accredited) to be held in Strabane. These courses are part-financed by the European Union's Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the Cross-Border Consortium.

Access

Recently at PWDI Cross Border Conference held in Cavan much emphasis was put on the lack of access for people with disabilities. Poor access also negatively affects older people and parents using pushchairs. The four G's were put forward as a quick audit and simple of how any business, service or organisation should be accessible. This puts forward the questions of how the person GETS there? How they GET in? How the GET on when they access the event or service? And how they GET out and GET home? These are all questions that we should possibly answer and keep in mind to be more inclusive and not to disadvantage especially people with disabilities who experience poverty, very low educational attainments or choice, very low employment prospect and minimal social opportunities to be involved in our community. If you are interested in finding out more about this issue please contact People with Disabilities in Ireland (PWDI) phone 074 9736025.