Carmel O’Neill sent us this latest news:
St Mary’s junior school in Blessington came up with a novel way of using worn and unwanted Hallowe’en costumes. Parents were asked to donate the unwanted costumes in the week leading up to the mid term break. They were then given two opportunities to “shop” for a costume while donating £5 for their purchase. It was a great success and it is hoped to do it again next year. All proceeds went to Blessington school funds.
Each year a Christmas tree is purchased for the grounds of Lacken Church. The bright lights on the tree provide a seasonal effect for the Christmas ceremonies. However in January we are faced with the question – what will we do with the tree now? Some years we cut it up for the log pile at the rear of the church. Other years it was thrown over the wall into a farmer’s field.
This year, with the help of Lacken Tidy Village, we decided to buy a 7ft Norway spruce and plant it near the entrance to the church. We invited the 5th/6th class pupils for the Tree planting ceremony where we blessed the tree and gave thanks to God for the contribution that our conifers give to the ecosystem. We hope that this new tree will enhance the beauty of our church grounds which on the day of planting was bathed in late autumn sunshine.
The polytunnel in Valleymount church grounds produced a bumper crop of tomatoes well into early winter. The Community Shed members invited parishioners to harvest the crop while posting recipes for green tomato chutney on the parish Facebook page. Earlier in September, the harvesting of potatoes took place with all produce displayed in the stables. Parishioners were once again invited take what they needed.
