January News
Daily Local News in brief, and suggestions of what to do locally.
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Roundabout Bee Hives
Navan Tidy Towns have reawoken with a great idea to host bee hives on two of the large roundabouts and reported in the Meath Chronicle.
Our two Johnstown Roundabouts are perhaps too small and too active with nearby pedestrians, not to mention that the peak time traffic may well pollute the honey.
Let Johnstown Tidy Towns know if there is somewhere we could host bee hives?
Community Grant
Meath County Council announce the 2021 Community Grant Scheme is now open.
Community Groups, Tidy Towns/Village Committees, Residents Associations and other organisations can apply to the scheme for assistance with actions and projects being undertaken in their local area in 2021.
Green Kilometre Scheme.
Johnstown Tidy Towns could use your help to join in and maintain the several km of roadsides throughout our local neighbourhood.
The scheme invites individuals/groups to choose approximately a kilometre (or longer) stretch of road/loop in their area. The group or individual would then commit to maintaining the chosen stretch over the course of the year.
The council can supply some native trees, litter pickers, bags and gloves to all those participating and if you wish we can arrange for an adviser (when restrictions allow) to visit to give advice in relation to planting, care of heritage features etc.
Farganstown Development
Now that the new entry road and its junction at the Kentstown and Metges Roads appears to be complete the first of many planning applications has been submitted. Intended as a mixed development site it could potentially host up to 1,600 homes but few details are currently available.
Andrews Construction Ltd applied for planning permission, 8th January, to construct 95 homes in 1, 2 and 4 bed format with a mixture of building types, together with a creche on the 2.7 hectares / 27,000 sqm of land. Detailed Plans to illustrate where the development lies within Farganstown have not yet been made available online via the Meath Planning Department online portal Ref 2121
The application made can be viewed by contacting the Planning Department in writing (includes a €20 fee) within 5 weeks of the submission date or visit Buvinda House in person.
Fears that future road traffic within the immediate area has been of great concern to existing residents since that land was first earmarked for development.
Give your free time a goal.
North Riverside Development
The derelict Blackwater House, adjacent to the Blackwater Lodge Estate, on the north side of the River Boyne is set to be saved from ruins and become apartments. See the Navan History Review of the building.
Development Plans were approved in August 2020 as part of a larger development by Glenveagh Homes Limited. Details can be viewed on the Meath County Council Planning Portal reference NA200617
IDA Clean Up
'Disgusting' was the term used by the volunteer litter picking the IDA paths.
It's a rare requirement for Johnstown Tidy Towns to litter pick the area but the number of dog poo bags casually thrown into the hedge by carless owners will now required a second visit to remove.
Please take ALL litter home and don't spoil the area for walkers.
Air Quality
Navan Cycling Initiative have updated their report on Navan air quality with 2 more Secondary Schools involved via their Green Flag Awards.
Poor Score
The Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) final survey of 2020 reported Navan as being 'Littered' and below EU norms. Navan fell to 34th position in the 37 towns surveyed by An Taisce.
Johnstown Tidy Towns concurred that since the Covid Pandemic discarded facemasks, drinks containers and dog poo are now the most common form of litter in Johnstown.
Read the IBAL overview and the Navan Report.
Take a stroll along the Boyne
Stay Home and Keep Fit
Discover what Local Groups have planned for your home fitness programs In our What's On Listing
There's running, skipping, cycling, orienteering, yoga, pilates, wellness, circuits, and exercise for the elderly too.
If we've missed anything just send us a message for it to be included.
New Community Spaces
News reported in the Meath Chronicle that
'Five acres of land are to be set aside by the county council in its proposed development plan 2021-27 for the development of sports facilities in Johnstown.'
is generally receiving positive reactions on local social media. However the comments suggest that people would like to see dates and plans before they get their hopes up.
Wet Walks
The recent rain means that many popular walking routes will require welly boots.
Kilcarn Bridge approach road has flooded and so too has the Athlumeny Riverside Trail lower section whilst the upper level tree trail is extremely muddy.
At the the Ramparts the canal is overflowing the path at the section just after the Boyne Road entry bridge.
Ramparts Temporary Closure
Irish Water, working in partnership with Meath County Council, will be carrying out essential survey works on the Boyne Navigation Towpath.
The Temporary Closure for Pedestrian access is from 8am Thursday 28th to 6pm Friday 29th January and stretches from the Boyne Road River Walk Car Park entrance and for a further 450 metres.
No through pedestrian traffic will be permitted for the duration of the closure.
e-Worker Tax Relief.
If you have a formal agreement with your employer that allows you to work remotely then you can claim some tax relief.
The RTE explainer article suggests the amount returned is quite low, €20-€60, but there could be more and this could go on for quite a while longer.
Your Feedback Wanted
Will you spend 5min to say what you would like to see happen to transport?
Friday 22nd January is the deadline for your feedback into the National Transport Authority Strategy Plan. https://www.nationaltransport.ie/consultations/greater-dublin-area-transport-strategy
Orienteering
If Blackwater Park is within your 5km radius then why not try out the orienteering App trail created by MLSP.
If anyone 'tech minded' is willing to rise to the challenge perhaps they could create trails through our local neighbourhood? Places like the Johnstown People's Park, The Athlumney Riverside Walk, along the Ramparts, or simply around the streets of our neighbourhood.
There's potential here to bring some extra motivation for local exercise whist keeping a safe distance.
Keep Fit Remotely
Kudos to Meath Local Sports Partnership and to all the local fitness instructors for pulling out all the stops to create a whole raft of programmes to engage the community in online fitness sessions.
See our What's On Guide for those we've managed to include so far.
Tree Works
We're not sure how severe the tree thinning is going to be on the approach road to Kilcarn Bridge off Metges Road.
It did look fairly drastic today as the huge crane lifted a very old truck from the ground.
Keeping Tune
Navan Silver Band have their studio on the Kentstown Road and the group have bills to pay to maintain their premises. Their asking for your support via their GoFundMe Page.
Discover more local Music Groups
Keeping in Touch
Whist we continue to keep our distance, and stay apart, you can still keep in touch with your neighbourhood via local social media groups:
75km Too Far
How far would you travel for a burger?
Even before lockdown the 80km distance traveled by a Meath family for a takeaway meal is a little excessive to say the least.
You don't need to break Covid travel restrictions given the number of local outlets where a number of them will deliver to your doorstep.
Review our 'very local food outlets'.
Playground and lit loop walk
Home Fitness
4 new virtual fitness programs start in the coming days where you can gain motivation, advice and support to change your lifestyle or improve your wellbeing.
Lyndsey Barnwell, LBFitness, in association with the Meath Chronicle aim to 'Get Meath Moving'.
Meath Local Sports Partnership host a Fitness Made Easy online home circuits and a Podcast Running Series.
Ciara McCormack - Health Focus Ireland host a Stay at Home-Wellness Programme.
More information in our What's On Fitness Series
Slow Down
A local resident is rebuilding their garden wall for 4th time after yet another car destroyed it earlier this week.
The L5050 road behind the school campus joining the Kentstown Road to Johnstown Village has long been known for cars exceeding the speed limit along the twisting narrow road. It was resurfaced last year but drivers still need to take it slowly.
Neighbouring residents are appealing for traffic calming measures to be implemented.
See more in the Meath Chronicle Article.
Scholarship
Former Coláiste Na Mí Secondary School student Jack Egan becomes the first ever recipient of the Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities (TCPID) Margaret McLoughlin student scholarship.
We wish Jack all the best with his studies at Trinity College Dublin.
Changes to Alcohol Sales
New rules governing the sale of alcohol is applied nationally today in an effort to reduce our consumption and improve the nation's health.
The changes :
An end to discounted 'multi buy' offers.
Individual item discounts must last for more than 3 days.
Loyalty shopping points no longer earned on alcohol purchases and similarly loyalty vouchers cannot be used to purchase alcohol.
In-store barriers will screen off the section to limit exposure to younger people.
Find a route through our Neighbourhood
Home School Returns
Good Luck to all the Parents, Teachers and Students who today return to structured remote learning.
Online links to local schools can be found here.
Please Leave Our Life Rings Alone
Meath River Rescue report that the life rings at Kilcarn and St Martha's bridges are frequently interfered with.
'A missing life ring could be the difference between life and death.'
Pictured is Christopher (Hopper) Rennicks, Chairman of Meath River Rescue attending St Martha's bridge life ring.
Team Support
It's heartening to hear that our local Gaelic For Mothers & Others team 'came together' off the field to support another member in need.
Walterstown Gfc Official report that the team quickly pulled together dozens of items of clothing to support a family in need.
Read their full posting here.
Food Bank
Cllr Emer Tóibín stands before a full load of food & confectionery donated by Walterstown Gfc to Meath Food Bank (Core Ire) in Navan.
Support the Core Ireland Nourish Project and view our local food aid guide for more groups to support.
Your chance to help make a difference
Freezing Conditions
It's the coldest night we've ever experienced with the temperature in Johnstown dropping to -9.1°C in the early hours of the morning.
By 10am the temperature outside had only risen to a mere -5.4°C.
Lights On
There is a country wide suggestion encouraging Towns to leave their Christmas Lights On throughout January to Boost Community Spirit. We've yet to hear if Navan Town Centre will follow suit.
These tree ring lights on the Bailis Downs Green, sponsored by Johnstown Tidy Towns, are intended to stay on throughout the winter dark evenings for similar reasons. We're also hoping that the community will help sponsor more lights next winter.
Imagine This
We'd heard that the Boyne once had a popular river swimming point near to where Andy Brennan Park is today but to see the ice skating photo posted by Auld Navan in Colour was quite a 'Wow' moment!
Read their Facebook Posting for the full image and description of the 1940's scene.
Garda Request
If you are travelling to a Covid Test Centre and are stopped at a Garda Checkpoint DO NOT roll down your window to speak but instead hold your appointment printout or mobile phone booking to the CLOSED window.
Winter Wonderland
We've been waiting for a long time to see the Athlumney Riverside Trail in snow.
It was very picture perfect this morning for a brisk short walk.
Toys Become Learning Tools
If you've got a gaming device then you can access online learning.
Plug in a USB keyboard to an Xbox or Playstation and access the internet to connect with school websites.
Events Postponed
Meath Local Sports Partnership, as with all groups, have postponed events in line with current Covid Restrictions.
Our What's On Page now only hosts virtual events.
Transformation Time
It's that time of year again to follow the RTE program via www.ot.rte.ie or on Facebook
If you're not feeling Ok then Help is there.
Struggling to Work From Home?
The Ardboyne Hotel have a solution where they are offering a safe and secure space to work using their bedrooms, free parking, high speed wifi along with tea and coffee making facilities.
Enquiries via 0469023119.
New Bus Route Map
Transport For Ireland now have a Navan Bus Services map illustrating the new N1 & N2 local routes.
Sing Together
Open to anyone aged 11 to 18 Music Generation Meath launch Meath Youth Choir.
Starting initially online they hope that in time to meet in real life in different locations across Meath.
Starts 19th January for 10 weeks
Tuesdays 5-6pm.
Cost €40.
Closing date for Online registration is the 15th January via
Email any queries to musicgenerationmeath@lmetb.ie
Community Support
A reminder from Meath County Council that the Community Call Support Line is still available to those who need any assistance during this time.
1800 808 809 (Freephone)
Monday to Sunday between 9.00am and 5.00pm
A wonderful trail is closer than you thought.
Walterstown Changes
At their recently held online AGM Walterstown GFC announced a number of club roles change:
After a three year term Stan Cooney stepped down as Chairperson and Ruth Chambers takes up the role.
Philip Cassidy stepped down as Treasurer after six years and Darren Mulligan takes on the role.
Mary McCabe stepped down as Children's Officer having held the role for no less than eight years. Ellen Hennelly takes on the position.
Stop Food Waste & Save Money
A great simple article shows you how you could easily reduce your spending by reducing your food waste.
Read this article in stopfoodwaste.ie and make it a New Year's Resolution.
Things to do within 5km
Recent travel restrictions mean that you need to know your 5km boundary. In October we highlighted a dozen things to see and do within 5km of Johnstown.
Level 5 Reminder
It's not unexpected that we've returned to tougher restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid - see the official guide as to what this means for you at Gov.ie
Eat, Sleep, Work and BUY locally
Tree Recycling
Have you taken the tree down yet?
FREE recycling at Navan Recycling Centre from Jan 4th and for 2 weeks.
100 Days of Walking
Could you walk 100 miles over 100 days?
This is the challenge of a Global Health & Fitness Movement aimed at motivating people to include walking in their daily lives.
More informations here 100daysofwalking.com
Navan Cycle Network Priority List
Navan Cycling Initiative have produced a wish list of the cycle lanes most needed to make cycling in Navan safer.
See more at navancycling.ie
Get Ireland Walking
Join the Keep Well Walking Challenge by downloading the Get Ireland Walking App and more information about walking venues here www.getirelandwalking.ie
Feed them and they'll enliven your garden.
Keep Going
Even though 2020 was turbulent and challenging for many, it’s certainly taught us that time together is precious and that family and friends are more important than anything. We intend to savour and cherish these moments, we hope you will too .
Happy 1st Day of the New Year and may there be many more days like it.
If you have News, Reviews or suggestions for Articles and Local Guides then we'd love to hear from you.
We don't know what we have around us.