January 2020
Local News
Clickable headings will expand the text.
Celebrations
The New Year celebration displays in Sydney & London certainly produced the usual amazing scenes but this year it was Dublin which really impressed us.
It stood out as being different with great use of lights, projections, live music and it goes to show that, with the environment being at risk, you don't need excessive amounts of fireworks.
Image Source: Alex Oliveira
What will it bring?
If you want your time to serve you better then don't sit on the sofa waiting for good things to come to you.
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Go out and find new experiences to discover what things excite you in life and revel in those that make you smile.
Be different by choosing to say kind words and be happy for the success of others. Don't put others down or gossip.
Don't promote, feed or follow negative people.
Show more gratitude for what you do have and don't take it for granted.
Do less things to make the world sad, sick or unhealthy.
Do more of what makes you, your family and community better.
Give your time a meaningful purpose and enjoy giving more than you receive.
Be brave but don't be afraid to talk and ask for help when the sun is not shining kindly on you. Be there to help others
Smile and laugh more, it's highly contagious.
You Can Help
Is your New Year's Resolution to offer help to others?
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We are creating a local 'Volunteer' Guide to highlight the activities, services and groups which you could actively support. In the meantime why not visit Volunteer Meath who will match your skills to a Meath based group.
If you already participate in something which operates in the Navan Neighbourhood then send us a message or email since we'd like to hear more about it.
Many of the clubs within our Sports Guide and Social Groups Guide would like your help.
Perhaps you're planning to set something new up and we'd like to help you promote it, simply send us a message or email.
Lots of Presents
We were delighted to be part of the convoy to deliver hundreds of presents in time for Christmas.
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December's collection of Christmas Shoebox Appeal was truly outstanding. Cllr Alan Lawes coordinated a six car convoy of volunteers from Johnstown to deliver hundreds of presents to those in need at Christmas.
If you have gifts leftover from Christmas either keep them until next year or perhaps donate them to one of the local charity shops in Navan.
If you had a wardrobe clearout to make way for new clothes then don't put the old clothes in the bin: Charity Clothing shops, Clothes Banks or contact Cllr Lawes to donate to Help the Homeless.
There's always a shortage of 'shoeboxes' so if you get one this year : KEEP THE BOX for next Christmas.
Image Source: Cllr Alan Lawes
More Donations
The December donations were outstanding but these are needed every month so if you've recently put new clothes in your cupboard we'd like your old ones for charity.
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Clothing bags are bulky and take up space in your home. Can you imagine how much space those featured in the photo took up in Cllr Alan Lawes home?
The suggestion has been made to have a clothes bank bin somewhere within the local area but this requires a certain type of collection vehicle and financial cost.
Another is to have a regular monthly collection which could coincide with the Johnstown Tidy Town weekends to ensure there are volunteers able to help load the van.
We're hoping to hear something in the coming weeks.
In the meantime please don't give to rogue traders or put any clothing in the waste bin if it can have a 2nd chance for charity.
Meath Food Bank
The New Year brings New Potential after news of the Council Notice to close the residential storage location.
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Meath Food Bank accepts food donations and vouchers which Volunteers distribute to the those in need.
We first came across the group in 2017 and the need has grown to help support even more people in times of crisis.
Ultimately the space needed for food storage and distribution would eventually outgrow the premise and a larger facility would one day be required.
Meath Food Bank has now been given a fresh start after Peadar Toibin, Meath West TD, offered the use of his constituency office in Trim town centre.
Luckily as one door closes another opens but they still need your support.
Bicycles
Did Santa bring a new bicycle and perhaps you now have an old one that has value?
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We could have cleaned up our old bicycle, fixed the brakes and perhaps got a few euro back selling it online or to a neighbour.
Instead we thought others needed them more and donated it at the Navan Recycling Centre for the School Bikes Africa Rotary Ireland.
Climate Change
Do you want to take your own Climate Action?
Meath County Council appear to be taking public concern on board and we hope to attend an insightful workshop this month.
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Extract from Meath County Council Facebook Posting Jan 3rd, 2020
"Let’s make 2020 a year that we all take responsibility for Meath’s Climate. To help, Meath County Council has launched ‘Meath Climate Academy’. The academy will bring to you a series of climate action training workshops with the aim to inform you on all things climate action and to help inspire change in our local communities.
It is time to change our words to actions, to educate ourselves and to really make a difference. The first training workshop will take place on Saturday, January 25th at Buvinda House in Navan. The workshop is FREE and will feature guest speakers covering topics relating to climate facts, biodiversity, sustainability, climate justice, climate and food/health, and tips on communicating the climate message.
To book your place please contact the Climate Action Team at climateaction@meathcoco.ie.
For more details on the Citizen Climate Leader Training please see https://bit.ly/2rNurBr "
Source: Facebook Posting
Living Lightly
What changes would you make to create a better future for your family.
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LIVING LIGHTLY IN IRELAND is a Blog we've been following for the past few years and it continues to provide an insight into the positive things we could be doing for our environment.
Easy to read, detailed and informative and the founder and author has recently appeared in the national press and on Nationwide tv show in January.
Check them out and hopefully you'll take the advice to heart.
Litter League
Navan's recent ranking is down considerably from last year's 5th position result.
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Did Navan suddenly get worse to drop to 17th position (out of 40) or did other locations become seriously better?
You can read the report here.
Litter in the Johnstown area hasn't gone despite new bins appearing at bus stops and we still require the ongoing efforts of it's Tidy Towns Volunteers . It was disappointing to collect 2 full bags along Bothar Sion Rd between The Shopping Centre and St Martha's Bridge.
Perhaps lack of bins is not the problem and that it's people's attitude to litter that needs changing?
Meath County Council have set everyone a challenge:
"You are invited to take part in Meath County Council’s Anti-Litter Initiative 2020. This is a great opportunity for your group to get involved in your local community.
It's not a competition, each participating group is trying to achieve a high standard of cleanliness in their local area, and there is a grant for those that achieve high standards over the whole month of the initiative.
There will be 2 rounds of judging over a 4 week period in March.
Judging will take place from the 2nd to 27th March 2020. There will be no judging on 16th, 17th or 18th to allow for St. Patrick Day events.
Points will be deducted for the presence of litter and there will be a score for general appearance.
Each participant will be advised of their marks after the final week of judging has been completed. Grants and medals will be issued in April and May 2020.
Further information and application form are available at http://bit.ly/37Mfz5H"
€15k Giveaway
January 20th is the deadline for Councillors to declare if they'll accept the annual Council Discretionary Fund.
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(Opinion Article)
What would you do?
To reject and not accept it would see taxpayers money return to a central pot and be distributed in some other format.
We fully support any decision each councillor makes since we've seen previous funds used for community causes BUT we also see the issue Cllr Alan Lawes has raised last month.
Essentially this money is distributed to community groups at the choice of each individual councillor BUT it is taxpayers money and that it could be seen to influence voters.
We look forward to seeing what they chose and to see how it is spent.
Operation Transformation
As the annual health drive gets underway across Ireland we'll be following the progress of the Taylor's Johnstown Group for the next 8 weeks.
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In connection with Meath Local Sports Partnership the Taylors Walking Group "The Chubby Chappies and Pink Ladies" have daily evening walks.
Meeting each evening, Monday to Thursday, inside Taylor's of Johnstown at 6:30pm for weigh-ins and 7pm outside for hour long walks through the neighbourhood.
Estate Walks
Perhaps you can't attend the group walks in the Johnstown area so here's our previous edition guide to walking routes together with distances and times.
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After the recent housing developments there are new routes to follow which we'll look to include. Tells us if there's any you can provide.
Please ensure you wear Hi Vis reflector clothing and be seen at night.
Lifestyle Changes
After the Christmas indulgence you're quite likely to be thinking of managing your weight.
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One of the groups we've previously visited is Slimming World with Alison and there's no better review than to hear from one of their most recent success stories.
Menu Change
If you've just spent a month eating Turkey and Ham then perhaps it's time for a change and you're looking for ideas.
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To get us started with some recommended recipes we asked Alison from Slimming World Navan to share some of her favourite dishes with us.
We're seeking your input to share your favorite recipes.
The Ivy Closes
The news that the Ivy Cafe, in the Johnstown Shopping Centre, closed its business in December after 11 years caught everyone by surprise.
December 28th saw a Facebook posting announce The Ivy Cafe's closure.
Increasing competition from having 3 nearby retailers likely played a part but the loss to the community has left many wanting the cafe to reopen.
Time will tell what happens but we'd like to express our thanks to Jenny and Maria for the support they have provided to the community over the years.
Mobile Safety
New technology brings new responsibility and Parents need to be fully aware of the potential threats Mobile Smartphones pose.
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Meath Crime Prevention highlighted the need for awareness in a their Christmas Facebook posting which is repeated here for those not using social media :
"So they’ve asked for a phone for Christmas. You think, "it’s fine, they’re going to use it to text me and maybe their school friends. They might use Instagram, or this Tik Tok thing that you've sort of heard about.
Below are just a handful of social media apps that have become increasingly popular with children and young people. While some of these are completely innocent they can be used by some people to bully, harass or exploit.
Set your expectations for what it will be used for and talk to them about online safety.
You can find out more at socsi.in/internetmatters_4dkPb or https://www.webwise.ie/category/parents/advice/
If your child is contacted by someone who pressures them into doing things they don’t want to, or bullies and harasses them, encourage them to tell you. Having open conversations about safety is paramount to making sure they stay safe, and are savvy about how they use these apps.
Remember, if you have concerns a child is being harassed or exploited contact us at your local Garda Station and if a child is at immediate risk or in danger it’s always 999."
Source: Meath Crime Prevention
Another Gym
Snap Fitness Ireland are opening in Navan on January 24th.
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Located within Navan, above Marks and Spencers, it's going to be open 24hrs 7 days a week with monthly contracts.
We'll include them in our Navan Neighbourhood Sports Guide
Find a Sport
To get fit it really helps to have fun at the same time.
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Having the support from a team will help make this a long term goal.
To help we created a guide to all the Navan Neighbourhood venues and clubs.
See if we missed any and tell us about them.
New Players
Before Winter draws to a close field sports are seeking new players.
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Join an Activity
Not everyone is into sports and our mental health benefits from being involved and socialising.
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We found over a 100 activities in the Navan Neighbourhood.
Let us know of any group we've missed.
Fresh Air
Exploring the local attractions gets you out of the house and into the fresh air.
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There's so much to go and see in the Meath Neighbourhood. See our local guide to discover Tourist Attractions, Family Entertainment Venues or simply places to Walk.
Playtime
One year on from the announcement that Johnstown was to have a Playground and we're not likely to see one. To find the nearest check out our Guide.
Road Works
3 Proposed temporary road closures in and around Navan this month:
- Railway Street
- Junction in Navan Town Centre
- N51 Slane/Navan Road
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Railway Street
Closure from 30th January 2020 to 1st February 2020 between 8.00pm and 6.00am to facilitate works as part of the Navan Town Scheme. Submissions to be made on or before 3rd January 2020.
Further info at: https://bit.ly/2Q1UKfr
Junction in Navan Town Centre
Closure between 8.00pm and 6.00am, from 27th January to 30th January & from 3rd Feb to 6th Feb, for works as part of the Navan Town Scheme. Submissions on or before 3rd January 2020. Further info at: https://bit.ly/2EDeAIt
N51 Slane/Navan Road,
From 20th January to 31st January 2020 between 9.00am to 5.00pm daily, for resurfacing works on N51.
Further info at: https://bit.ly/35p9tGZ
Source: www.Meath.ie
Will They?
We're really bored and quite concerned at the same time about the Brexit Saga. How will it impact on us?
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The end of January should see something decided, or will it?
As a UK passport holder it might separate me from my family at the passport checks? Dublin airport has already made physical lane changes if you've passed through passport control recently.
If you have a UK Driving Licence then potentially you will not be able to drive in Europe without getting some form of temporary permission such as an international licence?
Will we be charged more for UK use of mobile phones?
We're hoping they'll resolve the issue about Northern Ireland without any barrier but what about Duty Free and purchases in the UK to Ireland?
There's certainly so much uncertainty that we're not sure anyone really understands or knows what the impact will be until it actually happens.
What's On
Here's a glimpse of what's in our Special Events calendar where details are updated as and when you tell us about special events that you're interested in.
Get in touch if you have News, Reviews or Events to contribute.
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