March News
Daily Local News in brief, and suggestions of what to do locally.
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Get in touch if you have something to share with our Community
Concern for the River Boyne
A planning proposal has attracted considerable public concern where a meat factory requests to be allowed to discharge treated water into the River Boyne near Stackallen Bridge (Google Map).
The Facebook Group Save the Boyne has amassed over 4,000 followers within a matter of days.
View Planning Application ref 41524
Ludlow Street Closure
Proposed Closure of Ludlow Street, Navan, from 7am on Monday, 12 April 2021 to Tuesday, 31 August 2021 to facilitate works as part of Navan Town Scheme (Navan 2030)
Submissions on/before Friday, 2 April 2021
Pride of Place for Schools Gardening Scheme
Meath County Council announce that this year's competition returns and invite schools to participate.
Entries in by April 13th and more details on their website.
Lose an Hour!
Brighter mornings in exchange for putting the clocks forward.
Don't forget to adjust the clocks in the car, the heating timer and any wall plug timers for your lights!
Now that our local trees are regaining their leaves it's time to continue the Johnstown Tidy Towns quest to record what we have in our neighbourhood.
You can help by identifying the trees on your street, in your garden or along your walks.
Egg Request
Easter Eggs and other goodies are wanted for families living in food poverty within Co Meath.
To donate contact Cllr Alan Lawes on 0851757216 or arrange to drop off at 15 Boyne View, Johnstown Navan.
Daffodil Day
Your support this Daffodil Day will help Irish Cancer Society to continue providing crucial services to adults and children with cancer and their families.
Donate via their website or text DAFFODIL to 50300 to donate €6
School Sports Coaches
Walterstown GFC report that The Department of Education and Skills has announced that external coaches will be allowed back into schools after the Easter Break. This is good news for their coaches from who now plan to return to Lismullen NS & St Stephen's NS.
Feed them and they'll enliven your garden.
Navan Trees Felled Illegally
Cllr Fennessy reports that an investigation has begun into numerous trees discovered felled in Blackcastle Avenue, Navan.
Although the felled trees did not have 'Tree Preservation Orders' protecting them they are defined as a 'Stand of Trees to be Preserved' in the Navan Development Plan 2009-2015.
Also, being situated within the River Boyne and River Blackwater Special Area of Conservation all tree felling requires Planning Approval for removal.
The cutting or felling of trees is also prohibited during the period 1st March to 31st August every year with limited exceptions. (treecouncil.ie)
Feel Alive in 5!
Meath Local Sports Partnership's new 5 to 25 online programme offers you the chance to increase your physical activity level by 5 minutes each week!
This is a 5 week programme where you will receive 2 pre-recorded videos per week. You can complete at a time that suits YOU!
This programme will include two types of exercises videos – Dance to Step Classes & Circuit Based Classes. Each class will utilise low impact moves and beginners exercises to help you improve balance, co-ordination, muscular strength and your overall cardiovascular health.
Suitable for beginners aged 18yrs+.
Starting Wed 7th April!
Cost only €10!
€4,000 Holiday Boost
It's getting cold again outside and dreams of a future holiday away from the house would be made a lot brighter by winning the Walterstown Gfc Official prize draw.
Enter here now and tell your friends!
We don't know what we have around us.
Sport Ireland Coaching Children Workshop.
The course is for coaches of any sport! Coaches will complete online theory work in their own time, workshops via zoom (x2 evenings a week) and practical session at the end of the programme. All of this is done in through a flexible timetable which will be fully guided and assisted by Meath LSP.
The course is normally €70 per coach, but it now available at a reduced rate of €40 for the full course.
Places are limited – shortlisting may occur. Applicants must be over 18 years of age. Payment will be required once you are accepted onto the course.
Closing date is Monday 29th March @ 4pm
For more information or to get an application form please contact Una Pearson at upearson@meathcoco.ie
National Tree Week
Tree Council of Ireland will be celebrating all things TREE this week. They are hosting virtual events with details on their website
Help the Homeless in County Meath
Cllr Alan Lawes, with the support of Johnstown Tidy Towns and Inner City Helping Homeless, created the Navan Homeless Outreach Service at the start of the Covid Pandemic in March 2020. Check out the December 2020 video from the Meath Chronicle.
'We now want to launch a County Meath wide outreach service for the homeless but we can only do that with your help. We need volunteers from across the county.'
If you would like to volunteer with ICHHMEATH you can call me on 085 1757216 leaving your contact details. Please share across the County.' Cllr Alan Lawes
A wonderful trail is closer than you thought.
Equinox
Equal hours of daylight and night - Summer is coming.
St Patrick's Day Drone Show
Quite Spectacular in the Dublin skyline.
Flower Hill Regeneration Project
A massive €7.66M grant from the Government's Urban Regeneration Fund will see Flower Hill and the Abbeylands riverside transformed.
Streetscape Enhancement – including cycle lanes, street trees, lighting and furniture.
River Park – pedestrian and cycle paths with lighting & wayfinding measures on the northern side of the River Blackwater.
A Community, Cultural and Educational facility on Flower Hill.
Frontage improvement – restoration of historic frontages.
We look forward to uncovering the finer details in the coming days.
See more in the Meath Chronicle Article
Playground and lit loop walk
More Classes Return
5th class at Secondary and all remaining Primary class students return to their classrooms.
We wish everyone the very best as they settle back into their school routine.
Help Stop Child Abuse
A brave young lady from within our community is spreading awareness that child abuse survivors can have their voices heard. Read her Facebook Posting and the Sun Newspaper article here.
Child abuse has no place in society.
If you have any concerns about a child's welfare contact www.TUSLA.ie
Babes Bridge
The Ramparts - Boyne River Group report that the RTÉ Nationwide program filmed at Babes Bridge, near Rowley's Lock on the Ramparts. for a show to air in April about the condition of the structure.
Built in 1210-1213 by the Normans it was the only bridge to survive a great flood in 1330 that washed away all the Boyne bridges from Trim to Drogheda.
Only one of the eleven arches remains of the bridge which once connected across to Donaghmore.
If you're not feeling Ok then Help is there.
Anyone for Cricket?
All members of our Community are invited to join Knockharley Cricket Club and Play Cricket!
More details on their Website and Facebook Page
Royal County Virtual Run
Registration is NOW OPEN for the VIRTUAL Royal County 3k, 5k & 10k Walk/Run on May Bank Holiday weekend!
Meath Local Sports Partnership invite you to complete the distance of your choice at a time that suits YOU over that weekend.
€12 Entry includes a fantastic technical running t-shirt and commemorative medal to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Royal County event.
Register Here https://eventmaster.ie/event/POZZiJDhLe
Flood Proof Path
The Ramparts - Boyne River Facebook Page reports that the section of path frequently washed away by the canal overflowing near the Boyne Road car park bridge is finally resolved.
Give your free time a goal.
Siùn In Remission
In July 2020 Walterstown GFC organised the Solo 4 Siùn in aid of Crumlin Children's Hospital raising €50,557 via their GoFundMe Page.
This week we're delighted to hear the report that Siùn, who one year ago was diagnosed with leukemia, is now in remission, back in school and eager to return to U7's football.
Traffic Calming for Old Johnstown Village
Cllr Emer Tóibín reports following the Navan Town Council meeting this week that raised tables are to be installed on the approach roads to Old Johnstown Village centre Once Covid restriction allow the traffic calming will slow traffic speeds and improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Wear a Mask
A Navan resident became the first person in Ireland to be jailed for 2 months for refusing to wear a face mask during a December visit inside Navan Shopping Centre.
The few people who have legitimate reasons for not complying with current Covid regulations are advised to carry documentation to confirm this. The rest of us should simply comply for the protection of everyone.
Find a route through our Neighbourhood
Navan Orchard Proposal
Wild About Navan are offering residents and estate groups the opportunity to increase biodiversity within 5km radius of Navan.
' This project is a combination of three biodiversity actions outlined in the upcoming Navan Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP):
Creating a dispersed orchard;
Planting native trees; and,
Promoting the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. '
Cycle projects for Navan in 2021
Navan Cycling Initiative have produced a review of Navan's proposed cycle network.
Clean Up Our Streets
Volunteers from Johnstown Tidy Towns call for more assistance from the community as they continue to collect full bags of litter from our main roads.
5 bags have been collected in as many days with the 2 featured being from Bothar Sion despite there being 3 public waste bins nearby.
How is this waste getting here when current Covid restrictions only allow the public to leave home for exercise and essential travel?
Explore Navan on 2 wheels.
Having spent a considerable amount of time these past few months walking locally we begin a mini series to highlight works of local public art and other interesting things. We start with something that we've all seen but probably have no idea about its significance within Meath.
Students are returning in person to school classrooms this month so it's apt timing for us to ask an expert for exam revision advice. This includes over 50 tips from former students.
Has your estate been 'Taken in Charge' by the Council and would you know what the implications are if it hasn't? You may wish to find out and not risk the consequences.
Your chance to help make a difference
Johnstown Tidy Towns has made an offer to the Council if they stop using weedkiller on Johnstown's main roads.
One year on and we reflect on a piece of positive text that circulated widely on social media at the onset of the pandemic. We think that it is still very apt today and worth a reminder.
Now that spring is revealing signs of new growth our attention returns to our gardens. We highlight the 'elephant in the room' where a significant piece of our housing estates has the most to offer biodiversity but does it have any chance of success?
Busy Ramparts
We're delighted to see families and individuals enjoy the resurfaced walk along the Ramparts. With Spring bringing warmer sunny weather it is becoming too popular at peak times. The full car park reflects this and many locals are walking or cycling here instead.
If you can't visit during quieter times during the week please make the exaggerated effort to offer more separation distance when passing others. Don't be too comfortable about being too close since Covid doesn't care.
Plastic Bottle Ban
We're delighted to see local clubs planning ahead for the return to sports and especially when the can implement new policies that benefit our environment.
Walterstown GFC have now banned plastic drinks bottles in an effort to reduce plastic waste in the community.
Please bring your own reusable bottles.
+1000 Miles Run
Members of the 1st & 2nd Team Seniors from Johnstown Football Club ran more than 1000 miles in February raising over €4000 for the Mater Foundation.
Well done to Marc Brennan, Barry McEvoy, Darren McQuillan, Christy Kavanagh, Jay Connelly, Tomas McCartney, Lee Kelly and Jake McDermott who completed the February 100 Mile Mater Foundation Fundraiser Challenge.
Take a stroll along the Boyne
#MoveforMarch
AXA Community Bike Rides host an initiative to entice you to get up on your bike throughout March.
To provide a bit of motivation, we are offering all March participants a chance to win a See.Sense ACE rear bike light worth €50. To be entered in the draw, simply register and complete a Solo Bike Ride in March.
Ongoing Support
Johnstown Tidy Towns provide an outreach service to the Homeless in Navan.
Today they report that whilst Meath County Council has been able to keep up with supplying emergency accommodation to those found homeless over winter, unfortunately 2 individuals have slipped through the net and are back on the streets of Navan.
County Meath does not have a Wet Hostel to accommodate individuals with alcohol, or other substance issues, and some will therefore find themselves back sleeping rough on the streets of Navan.
The JTT continue to offer their support service.
Spring is in the Air
You can't fail to be impressed with the murmuration of starlings captured recently in County Westmeath - if anyone captures something even remotely similar locally we'd like to see it.
Wildbird activity in our gardens and certainly along the River Boyne is increasing so why not join Birdwatch Ireland Meath to learn more.
We've attempted to record the local wild birds that we've found in our local guide.
Eat, Sleep, Work and BUY locally
Get up and Run
Meath Local Sports Partnership's Podcast Running Series will suit everyone from the complete beginners to the more advanced runner!
Each podcast programme will take place for 8 weeks with 3 sessions each week. Our tutor Andrea McGuinness will TALK you through each session and will be with you every step of the way!
All podcast programmes cost €10 for the 8 weeks and will start on Monday 8th March – choose one of the following programmes!
0-3k Podcast: https://eventmaster.ie/event/lD24SV8HPO
3-5k Podcast: https://eventmaster.ie/event/39rYhx4tZW
5k+ Podcast: https://eventmaster.ie/event/kbj1SK2TA2
Finally Signs of Spring
Spring flowers are slowly unraveling locally and Daffodils certainly represent March. We're hoping those planted last Autumn by Johnstown Tidy Towns will shortly appear. They'll Soon be followed by Tulips and hopefully some wildflowers to see at the riverside.
Happy Saint David's day to the Welsh amongst us !
If you have News, Reviews or suggestions for Articles and Local Guides then we'd love to hear from you.