November 2019
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News in Brief
Dr on Call Moving
We've know for several months that families new to the Navan area will struggle to join a GP Practice.
A shock headline reported in the Meath Chronicle (P13, Sat 19th Oct 2019) is that Doctor on Call (NEDOC), currently at Navan Hospital will be temporarily relocating to Dunshughlin Health Care Unit for six months from November to Spring 2020.
We've not yet seen an exact date but it's not the news anyone wished to hear in the run up to winter.
See last month's article to help find a GP.
Be Seen
Just a reminder that with the clocks having gone back and the daylight hours getting shorter it will start getting dark much earlier and we need to be seen at night.
The street lighting levels are not great on the main roads and far worse on residential streets.
Wear Hi Vis jackets or arm reflectors and ensure bicycles use those lights.
Hotel For Sale
If you have a few million euro's spare then perhaps the recently announced Ardboyne Hotel is of interest.
Athlumney Centre
UPDATE
Conditional Planning Permission was granted 4/11/19
Comments and Observations closed in mid October regarding the plan to demolish the Athlumney Centre and create apartments.
It was disappointing that the plans were not made available online for the community to view without attending the Planning Department office.
Metges Rd Apartments
Few would have predicted this planning decision given the amount of public objection and that previous proposals having been refused before.
Fargonstown Begins
At the junction of Metges and Kentstown Rd construction work has already begun.
Within 2 years a new access road with services infrastructure is expected to be ready for the development phases of up to 1600 new homes.
Trees Destroyed
We are appalled that the contractors completely destroyed more of Johnstown's trees which has left one Boyne Estate home with no privacy from the new Cois Glaisin Estates.
If it wasn't for residents immediately uniting and taking direct action to intervene then all the boundary homes would have undergone the same treatment.
As we understand it there has been a pause since the mid October treeline removal but we are disappointed that a permanent written agreement between the Developer, Contractors and Residents has not yet been achieved.
Christmas Markets
It's the starting month for Christmas Markets so we've identified those in the Neighbourhood.
Dublin Bus
Last Month we mentioned resident frustration where Bus Eireann service came under fire after reports of busses not arriving and those that do have insufficient capacity.
The Meath Chronicle highlighted passenger dissatisfaction and the outcome is a promise by bus eireann to improve the service. Time will tell.
Temporary Traffic Diversion
Cannon Row
Closure from Monday, 4th November 2019 at 7.00am until Thursday, 7th November, 2019 at 7.00am.
Flower Hill
Closure will be on Monday night, 4th November 2019 and Tuesday night, 5th November 2019, between 9.00pm and 6.00am on both nights.
More Traffic Coming
After the mid term school holidays it's clear that our local traffic congestion is largely caused by our much needed school.
Given our future housing expansion will add more cars we're wondering if there is a plan to provide a long term transport solution to keep Johnstown moving.
Grass Lawn Crisis
The green space along the northern section of Metges Road is in funding crisis again. We saw the extent of the problem in 2018 and with only 1 in 4 residents currently supporting the grass cutting fund it's simply not feasible to continue as they are..
We're hoping to discover if they plan to work with Johnstown Tidy Towns and implement a wildflower area to now cover 75% of the grass lawn.
Tidy Bag Pack
Johnstown Tidy Towns Volunteers gave up their Friday and Saturday to raise funds at Smiths SuperValu in the Johnstown Shopping Centre.
They have suggested that the funds raised will go towards projects involving our local schools.
Activity Clubs
Making a listing for sports wasn't particularly difficult since they are well publicised. Activities that are not 'sporting' are far more hidden and we ask for your help in bringing them to potential members.
Recyclable?
We've yet to meet someone who could correctly identify that this logo has NOTHING to do with the recyclable qualities of the product on which it's printed.
Who'd have thought this logo could be so misleading.
Supporters Support
In the coming months we're hoping to see more and more clubs encourage supporters to bring reusable cups at matches and training.
Wild Birds
If you grew sunflowers in the summer months then you could be sharing your success with the wild birds.
Now is the time to be feeding them, especially in the mornings, if you want to encourage them into your gardens over winter.
Cycle and Property Initiative
With Christmas on the horizon it's worth marking new and existing property.
Ashbourne Playground
Since the Planning application for a Johnstown Playground was rejected outside the School Campus we've not heard of any new plans.
Residents with children look on with envie at Ashbourne recently opening Linear Park.
Local Awards
Great to see the work done by many volunteers recognised in the October Navan Municipal Pride of Place Awards.
Great to see many of our Johnstown Community taking part and winning too.
Large Housing Estate
Winners - Carne Hill. Runners Up - Woodlands
Medium Housing Estate
Winners - Elmview Close. Runners Up - Athlumney Hall
Small Housing Estate
Winners - Carne Wood. Runners Up - Reask Crescent
Small Town Award
Old Johnstown Community Group
Best Village Townland
Dunderry Tidy Towns
Bee Friendly Garden
Mary Mahon and Brian Pegnam
Best New Group Award
St Oliver Plunket National School Parents Gardening Group
Best Shop Front
Joint Winners - P Clarke Bar and Gardeners Choice.
Best Tourism Hospitality Award
Athlumney Manor Guesthouse
Best Vacant Premises
Dunderry Tidy Towns
Heritage Winner
Donaghmore Round Tower and Graveyard Conservation Committee
Nature Wildlife Award
Abbeylands Crescent Association
Youth Award Meath
Winners - Comhairle Na nOg
Shane Donnelly Inspirational Award
Winner - Tom Loughran