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Ballynagran rejection may lead to increased refuse costs 

NORTH Wicklow householders will be faced with heavily increased service charges following a decision not to go ahead with a controversial new county landfill site. The prediction was made by Bray UDC Chairman Michael Lawlor this week after county councillors voted thirteen to nine against proceeding with the controversial proposal at Ballynagran. One of six North Wicklow councillors who voted in favour of the proposal, Cllr. Lawlor said there would be no immediate threat to domestic refuse collections. But once the existing landfill site at Ballymurtagh reached capacity, the council would be faced with disposing of waste at private sites, which would inevitably lead to big increases in charges levied by local authorities from householders for weekly refuse collection. `The cost of waste disposal was going up anyway, but in this situation it's likely to increase even further and ultimately, the ordinary householder will have to pay for it,' he said. Expressing disappointment at the outcome, Cllr. Lawlor also feared that major urban centres like Bray and Greystones could be faced with a public health crisis in a year's time of no alternative waste disposal facility was found. Bray Chamber of Commerce President John McEvoy said the lack of a coherent waste management programme was a serious problem for the county at a time when local businesses were working hard to develop and give growing employment. `Business, especially the tourism sector, depends on an orderly and well run refuse disposal system. New businesses considering the county as a location will clearly not be encouraged to locate here if there isn't a comprehensive waste management programme in place throughout the county,' he said. Councillors were elected to help provide solutions to common problems and `we rely on them to develop realistic strategies across a range of public activities, including waste management.' Collective responsibility for waste management lay with the officials and elected representatives of the council, whom the chamber required to produce a workable and acceptable waste management programme as a matter of policy. For full coverage of this week's showdown vote on Ballynagran, see our further reports on page 2. 

220 motorists caught in north Wicklow 

Garda blitz on speeding 

JAN VAN EMBDEN Bray 

NORTH Wicklow road rogues are being blitzed from three different directions, it emerged this week. Offending motorists are getting no let-up in the crackdown which has been underway since ten people were killed on Wicklow roads in the space of a single fortnight last month. As the speed squeeze continued, it was revealed this week that:- Gardai have for the first time deployed the sophisticated Gatso system, capable of detecting hundreds of speeding vehicles per hour. Over 220 motorists have been caught speeding on the North Wicklow section of the N.11 over the past three weeks. Local courts are showing signs of taking a tougher line against speedsters following the conviction of a Greystones man who drove his motor-cycle at 116mph along the N.11. Although it has been in use by Gardai for more than two years, Gatso was deployed for what was believed to be the first time in Wicklow when it `clocked' over 8,000 motorists, including 146 speedsters, in a four day period around Greystones and Bray. Meanwhile, Gardai have been continuing to pull up speedsters along the M/N.11, with on-the-spot fines handed out to a further 66 drivers in the week up to Sunday evening last, bringing to 221 the number of speedsters who have been brought to book over the past three weeks. Almost a month after the blitz was launched throughout the county, there are signs the motoring public are starting to take notice of Garda warnings to ease off the accelerator. `It appears that drivers are beginning to take our warnings on board. We are getting feedback from both our own patrols and members of the public that drivers are finally starting to slow down,' said Bray-based Garda superintendent Phil Moynihan. `However that doesn't mean there can be any room for complacency. We will continue to devote the personnel and resources to maintain the campaign for the forseeable future,' he added. In a separate development last Monday at Arklow District Court, a Greystones man was banned from driving for four months, given a two months suspended prison sentence and fined a total of £500 after he was convicted of various offences arising out of an incident in which he drove a motor-cycle at 116mph along the N.11. The offence took place at Clonpadden, near Arklow, just a short distance away from a notorious stretch of roadway which has been the scene of a large number of fatal traffic accidents over recent times. 

People power wins out in Ballinagran controversy 

Objectors overjoyed as cllrs. say no to dump 

EILIS RYAN Staff Reporter 

WICKLOW'S County Councillors gave the thumbs down on Monday to the controversial Ballinagran `superdump' proposal. By a margin of four, the Councillors voted against a variation of their County Development plan which would have allowed development of the dump to proceed. In a last bid to stress the urgency of the Council's needs, County Manager Blaise Treacy warned that if the dump doesn't go ahead, he may have to increase domestic refuse collection charges - and to call a halt to housing development in the county. Sinead Curley, the Council's Acting Senior Executive Planner, told members that by 2016, East Wicklow will produce 110,000 tonnes of waste annually. Already, she stated, 75,000 tonnes of rubbish are generated in the area each year. Arguing point by point with the issues raised by anti-dump protesters, Ms. Curley said that the 51 acres designated for the landfill would be managed on a cellular basis, and that the land involved was of the lowest landscape designation in the county. Measures to ensure that it was used only as a Council dump, and that private dumps could not be opened in Ballinagran, had been taken. No hazardous waste was to be dumped at the site, and waste from Dublin would not be accepted. Although dump protesters were pointing to a North Kerry dump as an example of what could be achieved in Wicklow, she said that that particular dump was one of five serving Kerry - and an additional fifty acres are required there anyway. Following a lengthy debate, thirteen councillors voted in favour of the variation, and nine voted against. Cllrs. Tommy Cullen (Lab.) and Vincent McElheron (Ind.) were not at the meeting. Cllr. Pat Vance (F.F), supporting the Council's stance, said that £800,000 had been spent on the Ballinagran proposal to date. His concern was for the future of industrial development in the county if there was no landfill available. A claim that most of the information made in submissions against the dump was `misleading, inaccurate and false' was made by Cllr. Pat Byrne(Lab.), who was also supporting the dump. Deputy Dick Roche (F.F.), who was strongly against the dump, said he did not believe the Councillors, as public representatives, could ignore the views of the 14,000 who had signed the petition. He said it would be impossible to ensure no hazardous waste was dumped there, and that the projected lifespan of the dump was longer than the average life sentence. A suggestion that the dump be located near Bray, on the basis that it should be as close as possible to the source of the bulk of the waste, was made by Cllr. Tom Honan (F.G.). Describing the affair as `a sorry saga' Cllr. Susan Philips (Ind.) said that the County should have been looking at incineration as an option, instead of spending 7 years pursuing a course to which the Councillors had already indicated their opposition. As a short term measure, she suggested that disused quarries be used to accept Wicklow's waste. Deputy Mildred Fox (Ind.) stated that the decision was a difficult one for Councillors to make. `I think we should explore all the other options on the list, and also other options maybe not on the list,' she said, adding that she was voting `No'. The fear that Ballinagran would become a regional dump was expressed by Cllr. Noel Jacob (F.F.), who suggested it should be sited in `a less picturesque county, a less tourist-oriented county'. Labour's Cllr. Jimmy O'Shaughnessy pointed out that eight years earlier, Councillors were told the Ballymurtagh site would last 25 years, but it was now almost full. The Council's consultants had already ruled out Kilmurray as an alternative to Ballinagran, and he was telling them that they could rule out Glenealy as well. `There will be no superdump in either of those two areas,' he said, adding that the solution might be to locate four smaller dumps around the county. Cllr. Colm Kirwan (D.L.) felt the Councillors had no option but to vote in favour, and he disagreed with the suggestion that four dumps be provided. `I'm not littering dumps around this county like confetti,' he said. The fact that there were areas of marginal land in Wicklow more suitable for a dump than the `top class agricultural land' around Ballinagran was fuelling Cllr. Jim Ruttle's (Ind.) stance against the issue. Fianna Fail's Cllr. Michael Lawlor warned that without a landfill, Wicklow will face a public health crisis. Councillors had to face up to this he said. Also supporting the dump was Cllr. Joe Behan (F.F.) who said those opposing the dump should point to alternative sites. Cllr. Kevin Ryan (Lab.) was angry over the amount of Dublin refuse which had gone into Ballymurtagh. Cllr. Pat Doran (F.F.) believed the dump was not right, and Cllr. Pat Doyle (F.F.) felt the matter should be left to the Council's consultants. Council Chairman Liam Kavanagh also spoke strongly against the issue. 

Protesters out in force to lobby councillors 

APPROXIMATELY 500 protesters turned up at the County Buildings to lobby Councillors on their way into Monday's meeting. Among the oldest present was Charlie Armstrong, from Glenealy, 87. `My nephew lives beside it,' he said, adding that his family had farmed the area for 150 years. `I'm very against it,' he said. `The worst thing about it is the way it'll affect water. And the rates and everything that come from a dump.' Tina Keenaghan, Rosehill, moved to Wicklow from Dublin 2 years ago. `We came for the greenness and the peace - for the kids,' she said, explaining that she didn't want to see that environment destroyed. Fiona Clements, of The Murrough, said her reasons for opposing the dump were obvious. `We're progressing into the future now, and basically, it's not giving the future a chance,' she said, stating that recycling programmes should be put in place. From Harbour View, Stella Clarke came out too. I think it's too close to such a highly populated area. There should be more recycling. There's not a good waste management plan in action.' Tony Renshaw, of the Rocky Road, gave up his dinner hour to join the protest. `The dump is far too large for what's required for the area. If they were going to build a small dump there wouldn't be so much opposition, but they will take waste from all this side of Ireland.' Liam Quinn, from Kilcandra said the whole concept of landfills was ludicrous. `So much stuff we throw out could be recycled,' he said, adding that the Council should be looking towards recycling. Mary Delahunt from Friars Hill said the dump would be an environmental hazard, and Maura McCoy, Ballinteskin, was worried about the effects on groundwater supplies. John Glynn from Glenealy was opposed to it on health grounds. `I have young kids, and we're only a stone's throw away from the dump, and I would be very concerned. I appreciate we all need a dump of some description on some scale, but not a super dump. Wicklow County Council should look at ways of reducing the waste rather than piling it into a dump which will operate for years.' 

How they voted on crucial dump issue 

THOSE who voted in favour of the contravention of the County Development Plan in order to allow the dump to go ahead were: Joe Behan (F.F.), Vincent Blake (F.G.), John Byrne (Lab.), Pat Doyle (F.F.), George Jones (F.G.), Colm Kirwan (D.L.), Michael Lawlor (F.F.), Bill O'Connell (F.F.) and Pat Vance (F.F.). Those against were: Pat Doran (F.F.), Mildred Fox (Ind.), Tom Honan (F.G.), Noel Jacob (F.F.), Liam Kavanagh (Lab.), Jimmy O'Shaughnessy (Lab.), Alex Perkins (Green), Susan Philips (Ind.), Dick Roche (F.F.), Shane Ross (F.G.), James Ruttle (Ind.), Kevin Ryan (Lab.), and Godfrey Timmins (F.G.). Absent from the meeting were Tommy Cullen (Lab.) and Vincent McElheron (Ind.). 

Over the moon with decision 

DAVID RYAN, Chairman of the Ballinagran/Coolbeg Action Group, admitted he was close to tears, after Councillors voted to reject the dump. `I had to go outside for a breath of air,' he said, clearly pleased the tension was over. Dieter Clissman too, another leading member of the Action Group was relieved. It felt, he said, as though a weight was lifted from his shoulders. Also looking delighted after the years of lobbying paid off was Val Cosgrove, who had been delighted at the turnout of protesters prior to the meeting. He'd been optimistic the vote would go the way the protesters wanted. `I have full confidence in the democratic process. I doubt if people will contradict themselves,' he'd said. 

Druid chef cuts a dash 

TELEVISION chef Rurai O Morachain brought a taste of old Ireland to Wales last weekend....very old Ireland, like in the days of the pagan Celts when druids ruled the roost and St. Patrick had never been heard of. Known in culinary circles as `The Druid Chef,' Rurai cut quite a dash in his spooky cape and other outlandish attire at the Angelsea Seafood Festival. As viewers of his `Cooking on the Edge' programme on the Cablelink Channel will know, Rurai also knows his way around the kitchen and proved it by winning second prize for best chef at the festival. His success delighted members of Bray Tourism, who persuaded town resident Rurai to represent the resort in Wales after he called into the local Heritage Centre a few weeks ago, researching traditional Wicklow recipes. A strong Bray contingent in Angelsea was reinforced by over 40 dancers from the North Wicklow Set Dancers and the Noreen Durkan School of Irish Dancing, who proved a big hit when they stepped it out for the festival audience on Sunday. `All told it was a very successful weekend and a great boost our efforts to promote strong links between Wicklow and Wales. As our nearest overseas neighbours, we feel there's a lot of potential for co-operation,' said Dermot De Barra of Bray Tourism. As part of this process, Bray Tourism are hoping to secure funding from Intereg, an EU-backed programme which is backing efforts to develop closer economic links between Ireland and Wales. As part of the same effort, Bray Tourism are also hoping to make Bray the venue for an annual food fair starting from next year. 

Gardai get tough with speedsters 

GARDAI have deployed state-of-the-art technology in their battle to cut the carnage on North Wicklow roads. And already the high-tech Gatso system has made an immediate impact, detecting 146 offenders after reading the speeds of more than 8,000 vehicles in ten hours. Garda operators deployed the system at four different locations for a number of periods totalling ten hours between August 13 and 16 last. The largest number of offenders were detected at the 40mph speed limit zone at Mill Road, Greystones, as a result of which on-the-spot fines were issued to 60 motorists out of 1,489 whose speeds were checked during a three-hour period. Average speed traffic here was recorded at 42mph. 

Film makers shine at Cork festival 

Bray trio hoping to hit the big time 

JAN VAN EMBDEN Bray 

A TRIO of young film-makers have decided to join forces to take on the established film industry by launching their own production company. And already North Wicklow-based Addictive Productions have scored a double success, with the inclusion of both their new films at this week's annual Cork Film Festival. The new company has been formed by Grace Jolliffe, Jason Forde and James Cotter. A recent film graduate from the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art and Design, James Cotter completed his first film `Life on Mars' just a few months ago. It tells the tale of a teenager on his first job for a republican terrorist group who's left in charge of a kidnapped protestant taxi driver. The film has already received a good reaction at a number of very successful screenings in the Irish Film Centre. Shot around Bray Head and the town, Jason Forde's film, `Lover's Leap,' has just completed post-production in time for the festival. It's his first drama film and follows a highly successful series of documentary and corporate films, of which the best known were his histories of Bray and Dun Laoghaire. Completing the new company's successful start is Grace Joliffe's first film `Let's Pretend,' which has already won a Jesuit Award and was screened in Cork last year. The trio have been further boosted by recent confirmation that production funding has been awarded to `Nowhere Land,' a new film written by Grace, to be shot entirely on location in Bray and due to go into production next year in Bray. Jason Forde explains that by pooling their talents and resources together into a single production company, the three of them aim to boost their chances of success within the film industry. `If any one of us comes up with an idea, the other two will also come on board with the project,' he says. Written, produced and directed by Jason, `Lover's Leap' was co-written by playwright Bernard Farrell and stars Phelim Drew and Gertrude Montgomery. `Life on Mars,' was written, producer and directed by James Cotter and stars Geoff Minogue, John Conroy and Michael McCabe. Grace Joliffe was Line Producer on the film. 

Ballywaltrim campaign for £500,000 centre kicks off 

THE BALLYWALTRIM Community Centre action group are this week appealing for a good show of support from residents for their first fundraising venture. They start their fundraising campaign today (Thursday) to raise in the region of £500,000 to build a new community centre on the site where the existing St Fergal's Hall now stands. The Buy-A-Brick campaign which commences today, is hoped to raise a substantial amount to start the committee off on this huge undertaking. `The idea is to hopefully get a pound (as sponsorship of a brick) from each member of every household in Ballywaltrim which would start us off with in the region of £10,000,' said PRO Ann Mullan. `The existing structure was built in the early 1970's and has served as a church and school, before being turned into a parish hall. It is presently in a very bad state of repair and renovations are not an option, it would be a waste of money,' she said. `The only option is to build a modern purpose-built community centre for the area. It is presently used weekly by the boxing club, bingo, Irish Dancing, drama, Fergalettes and also accommodates meetings for residents groups, sports clubs and other organisations during the year for their various meetings and functions. If a proper building existed we feel that there would be greater use and more activity could be accommodated,' she added. The population of Ballywaltrim is circa 10,000 and there are 2,500 houses in the area, with a further 1,000 in the immediate neighbouring estates who would also avail of the centre. There are four schools which would also use the centre from time to time and they have a roll of 2,000 pupils. The immediate estimated cost of building a new centre would be £500,000, this equates to £200 per house if all were to subscribe. A limited company has been established to access funding through various agencies such as Lotto and other bodies and also to raise a local contribution as all funding is based on matching funding. The current Buy-A-Brick campaign members will be calling to houses in the local area in the coming days and wish to stress that all collectors will have Garda-stamped identity letters or cards, and will produce them for inspection. `Anyone without this authorisation should not be given money,' added Ann. 

Mass photo shoot on Bray Head 

IF YOU'RE one of those people who only ever takes a picture on birthdays, Christmas or summer holiday, then why not do something different and dig it out for the afternoon of Sunday October 25 next. That's when budding photographers are being invited to snap Bray Head and send their pictures to Environment Minister Noel Dempsey. Campaigners fighting to save the landmark feature from development hope the Minister might be swayed if enough people send him photographic evidence of its beauty. A mass photo shoot is planned for Sunday October 25 next when a `Head to the Head' protest march sets out from the bandstand at Bray Seafront at 2pm. The people behind the wheeze are SOHO, the Save Our Head Organisation, who want as many people as possible to bring a camera with them on the day. `We want to show the minister just how beautiful Bray Head is and how important it is to save it,' says SOHO Secretary Finola Murphy. The Gatso question Aren't acronyms wonderful things. In some cases, people will stay up all night trying to think of initials that will spell out a catchy word. Protest groups seem to have a special talent for this. SOHO (as mentioned above) and BRAG, the Bray Residents Action Group are just two examples which spring to mind. One of the best ever had to be SPARKS, the Kilmacanogue-based group who campaigned several years ago against high tension electricity pylons going through their village. Funny thing is I can't remember what the letters stood for. That's not unusual though. Virtually everyone had heard of Ireland's biggest trade union, but I bet most people would be stumped if you asked them what exactly SIPTU stands for. All of which brings me to Gatso, the high-tech speed detection system which features elsewhere in this newspaper this week. Setting out to research the story, I was convinced that if ever a word was an acronym, this had to be it. It must stand for like Garda Automatic Traffic Surveillance Operation or something like that, I thought. That is until the Garda Press Office checked it out for me and came back with the news that Gatso wasn't an acronym at all, but the name of the Dutch inventor who designed it! Irish problem Next time you're scratching a parking disc in Bray, spare a thought for those without any knowledge of the Irish language. For according to Jackie O'Toole of Kilcoole, it cost her an unwelcome ticket after she parked her car in a ten hour space, but only put a three hour disc on display. `The trouble was that there were no indications anywhere that I couldn't leave the car there on a three hour ticket. Somebody did point out to me afterwards that it does say in Irish on the back of the disc that that it's valid for a maximum period of three hours only,' she told Bray Focus. `The trouble is that I'm from England and don't have any Irish. It certainly doesn't say anything in English about the ticket being valid for only three hours.' Perhaps Bray UDC should consider giving free Irish lessons for anyone who buys their parking discs! 

Readathon for kids 

WICKLOW school-children are being invited enjoy as many books as possible in the 11th annual MS Readathon which will be taking place between October 16 and November 16 next. Since it was first launched over a decade ago, over three million books have been read by Irish children and more than £2.5 million raised towards services and research into multiple sclerosis. Under the scheme, children are asked to asked to find sponsors before attempting to read as many books in the month long period. Several Wicklow schools take part in the event every year and anyone who would like to find out more about taking part can obtain registration forms from local libraries, bookshops or from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland, 2 Sandymount Green, Dublin 2. (Tel: 01-2694599). 

Fox renews call for action on dumping 

ONGOING complaints by local residents about illegal dumping in the vicinity of the Sugarloaf Mountain has prompted a renewed call for action by Independent Wicklow TD Mildred. She said details had been provided to Wicklow County Council of a recent incident in which a lorry had dumped an illegal load on the side of the mountain. The beauty spot was `in a disgraceful state,' partly because of the travellers' camp there over the summer months. Travellers and settled people alike should be prosecuted for any infringements of the litter laws. Arising from a number of other recent items raised with the council, Deputy Fox welcomed news that rumble strips were to be provided outside Curtlestown School in Enniskerry. She also repeated previous calls for improved signage and road markings in Kilmacanogue, where the current system was `confusing and potentially dangerous.' 

Roche criticises slow pace of development 

Department slammed for its interference in Greystones plan 

A LOCAL Deputy has this week severely criticised the rate at which Greystones' infrastructure has developed and has slammed the Department of the Environment for its interference in the Greystones Plan. According to Deputy Dick Roche, Wicklow County Council have received a letter from the Department of the Environment querying the proposed zoning densities in the Draft Development Plan for Greystones. `The determination of the appropriate zoning for land is one of the last democratic roles performed by local councils. In the case of Greystones and Delgany local elected representatives have been pointing out for over 20 years that successive Governments have failed to provide the funding for the level of infrastructural development that a town the size of Greystones needs,' said Deputy Roche. Among other things he pointed out that there has been no investment in sporting facilities. `Greystones has only half a health centre, in the last 25 years less than 12 yards of road have been built out of public funds within Greystones Town. There is a growing crisis in second level education in that there is an urgent need for a new second level school in the north east Wicklow area,' he said. `Against this background it is, to say the very least, both unwise and unwelcome for officials from the Department of the Environment to attempt to influence the planning process in Greystones,' he added. According to Deputy Roche the County Councillors for the area put a huge amount of thought and effort into achieving a reasonable balance in the new Draft Development Plan. `It is extraordinary that at the 11th hour we should receive comments from the Department of the Environment on the contents of the Draft Plan,' he added. `Another classic example of short-term thinking at central administration level was recently illustrated when the DTO failed to allocate funds towards the creation of a Park and Ride facility in Greystones. The consequence of that decision is likely to be yet more traffic chaos in town,' he concluded. Deputy Roche has sought a meeting with the Minister for the Environment to discuss the matter in greater detail. 

1798 celebrated in words and music 

`1798 in Words and Music' was a theme well explored and explained last Thursday night at a concert in St Anne's Primary School, Shankill. An audience of around 100 from the local community enjoyed an educational and entertaining evening which merged the written evidence and song. `Locally, in 1798, the large Loughlinstown Camp suffered many defections to north Wicklow/south Dublin United Irishmen,' said local historian Andrew O'Brien. The school's assembly hall was colourfully decked out in 1798 flags, portraits and scenes while current political personalities also looked on. Principal Richard Cotter supervised the entire event, performed by Bray-based singer/songwriter Rob Greene and well-known local historian Andrew O'Brien. The organisers express many thanks to all those who attended, in a great local effort. /*see pics ****/ 

Fundraisers bowled over 

A GROUP of Bray fundraisers recently staged a very successful day of bowling in aid of the Irish Haemophilia Society. The event took place in Bray Bowl and the organisers would like to express their appreciation to the staff and management of Bray Bowl for their help and co-operation. The many traders and businesses in Bray (who are too numerous to mention) who sponsored the fundraiser are also thanked by the organisers who described the day as a huge success. `The event was a big achievement, a lot of fun was had by all and a sizeable sum was raised for a very worthy society,' concluded the organising team. 

Bray theatre company to perform Wilde's first play 

A Bray-based theatre company are showcasing a seldom seen Oscar Wilde play as part of the Wilde Autumn School from October 21 to 24. Red Rua Theatre Company has been running for the last four years and was initially formed by the Performing Arts Students at Bray Institute for Further Education in the Presentation College grounds on the Putland Road. Recent productions include `Medea', `Dr Faustus' and `Mother Courage and her Children'. `Vera or the Nihilists' is their latest effort and is an early example of Wilde's work which is rarely seen. `It provides a fascinating insight into early dramaturgy,' said Director Mary Kelly Borgatta. `It is the first play ever written by Wilde and is in a very different style to his later work. It is something of a melodrama, set in Russia, with Vera, a peasant girl leading the way in revolutionary politics,' said Mary. `The play was very unsuccessful in New York and didn't go too well in London either, as it reflects Wilde's ideas of fighting against the Establishment,' she added. The lead role of Vera is to be performed by a well-known member of a family of Bray actors, none other than Vanessa Kehoe. The cast and crew are hoping for a good attendance for their shows which commence each night from Wednesday October 21 to Saturday 24 at 8pm. Group rates are available, box office can be contacted at 2869607 and any further enquiries should be directed to Carmel on 087 2237995 or Paul on 088 2128510. 

`Rezoning plan could solve Bray Head crux' 

JAN VAN EMBDEN Bray 

FUNDS could be raised to bring Bray Head into public ownership through the rezoning and sale of council-owned land in other parts of the town, Bray UDC Chairman Michael Lawlor said this week. Known locally as Reihill's Land and lying to the west of the town bordering the Upper Dargle Road, it was proposed to rezone the land to allow a hotel, office accommodation and open space development. The rezoning proposal is one of a number of key changes in the draft version of the new Bray Development Plan, which is due to go on public display shortly following its approval by local councillors this week. Urging public support for the new plan, Cllr. Lawlor said the draft version contained several `pieces of the jigsaw' which could be brought together to ensure the long-term preservation of Bray Head as the town's most important natural amentity. `This would be a perfect opportunity to develop what is currently unused land at Dargle Road for the benefit of local tourism, while at the same time raising funds to bring agricultural zoned lands on Bray Head into council ownership, which is the only realistic way to protect it from development in the long term. Funds raised could also be used to redevelop People's PArk and to complete longstanding proposals for the Dargle river walk,' he said. `Another important piece of the jigsaw is the proposal to rezone Bray Golf Club's existing lands for educational, sporting, commercial and residential development, in order to facilitate their proposed move to a new home on the western slopes of Bray Head,' he added. Cllr. Lawlor said that while he full respected the right of every group and individual to object to the draft plan, he urged the community to study it very closely and to give it their support. In addition to preserving Bray Head and aiding the growth of local tourism, another key priority had to `strengthen and protect' the commercial life of the town centre in the face of serious retail competition from out-of-town shoppping centres. `Bray town centre has been losing out to out-of-town retail centres such as Cornelscourt and this trend must be reversed, otherwise we will wns up with very little commercial or retail life in the heart of our town. We must avoid the `no main street' syndrome which has blighted cites and towns in other countries,' he warned. Parking at the extremities of the town centre area was still within the walking distance of 800 metres which international studies had found were momst acceptable to people, and with this in mind, there was tremendous potential for retail and commercial development in the heart of Bray. There were also proposals to tackle the vexed issue of parking and traffic through the establishment of a `civic forum' comprising representatives of residents associations, business interests, CIE, the Gardai, the UDC and other groups, as well as more parking spaces and measures to limit the time and size of trucks permitted to enter the town centre area. Efforts to develop a new theatre and exhibition centre in Bray were also vital given the growing importance of this sector in the economy. In Britain, more people were now employed in the arts and entertainment than in the coal, steel, ship-building and car-manufacturing industries put together. Recent times had seen approval for two new hotels in Bray. The new plan would encourage and facilitate further tourism and hotel related development in the town. A comprehensive plan had been drawn up to redevelop the the 47 acres of land at Bray Club, now the only major area of development within the urban boundary. Mixed residential, commercial, educational and leisure-related development was proposed for these lands, including provision of a 6.47 acre site for Colaiste Raithin, two GAA pitches, car parks and housing in the form of townhouses, maisonettes and apartments. All this was predicated on the relocation of Bray Golf Club and he urged all parties involved in negotiations to come to agreement, which Cllr. Lawlor believed would benefit everyone in the community. 

Road subsidence proving threat to Greystones homes 

SUBSIDING surfaces are posing a serious road hazard to residents of a growing number of Greystones housing estates. In Hillside estate alone, serious subsidence has occurred outside at least eight different houses, while similar problems have also been reported at Rathdown Park and Applewood Heights. Amid warnings that crumbling road surfaces could be the cause of a serious accident, the subsidence has led to demands for urgent repair works by Wicklow County Council. Comr. Dick Roche told the recent monthly meeting of Greystones Town Commissioners there was a serious lesson to be learned from the problem in that roads in all new housing estates should be thoroughly inspected before being taken in charge by the council. Comr. George Jones said it was a problem which affected not only Hillside, but Rathdown Park and Applewood Heights as well. A programme of road repairs was needed to tackle the problem. Comr. Dee Archer claimed that these estates were `lucky to have potholes,' for there were other local housing estates which had no road surfacing at all. The worst example of this was St. Bridget's Park which had not been surfaced in over 50 years. `The place looks like a minefield, like Beirut without the peace-keeping force. People there are saying that if they get one more puncture on their car, they will sue the council,' she declared. `It's not fair that people are not getting their roads surfaced. The council should get its act together and surface these roads properly and stop just giving us shovels of tarmac.' Comr. Jim Brennan agreed there were road surface problems in as many old parts of the town as in newer parts of Greystones, while Comr. Patricia Feldwick work also needed to be urgently done on the Blacklion and Delgany Roads. Earlier, Commissioners heard a report from Town Clerk Joe Lane stating that excavating and reinstating the subsidence in Hillside would be costly and that no provision had been made for this in current spending. More urgent work could be done under the 1999 roads maintenance programme, while emergency bitumin and hot tarmacadam work could be done sooner. 

Glowing tributes paid to retiring Sergeant 

BRAY Gardai paid a special tribute last week to a man who has made a unique contribution to the local force for more than 30 years. For the various communities in Bray, from neighbourhood watch to drug awareness forums, have over the years had reason to be grateful for the work undertaken by Sergeant John Smith since he began service with Bray Gardai back in the mid-1960's. A reception was held in Bray Youth Service on Tuesday afternoon last to mark John's retirement. Member of the Drugs Awareness Forum Catherine Greene presented him with a gift as thanks for the huge amount of work he did in conjunction with the group. `John played a huge part in the forum and was instrumental in getting the community policing scheme off the ground,' said Catherine. `One of the best parts of the job was getting involved in the local communities and dealing with the public, it was very satisfying and rewarding to help those who do a great deal of work in their own areas and are not often recognised for it, said John. `I hope that the good work which has already been undertaken in these areas is consolidated with further time and resources invested in them from the relevant groups,' he added. John was also the voice of the Bray Gardai each Tuesday morning on East Coast Radio when he presented a `crimeline' style slot in which he appealed for help or witnesses to various incidents which happened in the previous week in the town. `The highlight of my career apart from being appointed sergeant was the last six years which I have spent involved in the community relations aspect of the job, which I have enjoyed immensely,' said John. When asked about the changes he has witnessed in Bray in his years here John points out the huge growth of the town in the last 30 years, with all of the industrial estates going up on the outskirts of the town. `They have brought a lot of jobs to Bray and transformed it from a dormer town to one with plenty of jobs in its own right,' he added. Originally from Roscommon John hopes to see the community policing aspect of the Gardai's work in Bray developed and he'll be keeping a close eye on the progress while his colleagues wish him a long and happy retirement. 

Derry blames the lack of leadership for DART delay 

THERE'S been a lot of talk in Greystones over recent months about the imminent opening of the long awaited new Dart extension from Bray... but exactly how imminent is imminent? Not very, according to local man Derry Kelleher, who reports that he recently received a letter about the extension from Iarnrod Eireann Chief Executive Joe Meagher. In it, he states that `work on the infrastructure is well in hand' and that `ten new Dart cars are being fabricated by GEC Alosthom of Barcelona for delivery at the end of 1999.' From which Derry infers that the new service will not be ready until the end of next year, and not within the next few months as has been widely anticipated. Derry is nothing if not passionate about extending the Dart to Greystones, having campaigned on the issue as far back as 1982 and even taken part in a well publicised march on the Dail in 1992 to demand government approval for the scheme. He feels strongly that a lack of leadership at community level has contributed greatly to the long delays in bringing the service to the town. Rock and Roll A big Rock & Roll party night is planned for Friday October 23 in the main ballroom of the La Touche Hotel in Greystones all in aid of the Greystones branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Featuring Telephone Bill and the Smooth Operators the event promises to be a great start to the bank holiday weekend with proceedings taking place from 10pm to 1am with a bar extension and for only £5 admission what more could anybody ask for. A raffle will also be held for cinema tickets, a bottle of champagne and many other prizes which have been generously donated. More information from Colm McGuire on 6145300 or Kevin Rahill on 2877951. Money matters Are you in financial difficulties? Do you need advice on money management? Are you interested in a weekly budget plan in your local credit union to pay all household bills? Bray Money Advice and Budgeting Service offers a free and confidential service, now available at St Killian's Parish Centre, Greystones. Between 9.30am and 12noon, please call in to the centre or telephone 2760411 for an appointment. New look Tesco Greystones' early Christmas present was finally unwrapped on Tuesday last when blue wrapping paper was torn away to reveal a Tesco Supermarket trolley full of new products and old favourites. The occasion was the official re-opening of the Old Quinnsworth Store in its new Tesco livery. Declaring the new premises open was local lady Mary Dunne from Kindlestown Park, who won an in-store competition to perform the honours. A large crowd gathered to enjoy all the excitement. As well as keeping all 140 Quinnsworth staff, the modern upgrade has allowed for more than 32 new jobs, and some new departments, Tesco announced. The company have invested approximately £3.5 million in refurbishing and modernising the store which is the first to be officially opened by Tesco in Co. Wicklow. They say they ensured that as much of this investment as possible was spent locally. A total of 85 people worked on the store over the course of the refurbishment. In advance of the upgrade, the company took on board the views of thousands of people who took part in Customer Question Times throughout Ireland, including 100 Greystones shoppers. According to Tesco, their requests and ideas were incorporated into the new store, including wider aisles, choice of trolleys and sweet-free checkouts. `Customers can expect continued variety, low prices, choice and quality Irish products available in-store,' said Tesco Manager James Cleary. Tesco customers in Greystones will now be able to enjoy the new in-store bakery that will produce a wide selection of bread and cakes baked freshly on the premises every day, a hot deli counter, an extended range in the enlarged off-licence and a spacious new fresh produce department. James Cleary added `I am personally very excited about delivering a greatly upgraded Tesco service by all the members of the team and of course the new people who have just come on board.' Revised opening hours are Monday to Wednesday 8.30am to 9pm, Thursday and Friday 8.30am to 10pm, Saturday 8.30am to 7pm and Sunday 9am to 6pm. Film news Greystones film maker David Caffrey has hit the headlines with his latest film `Divorcing Jack.' Portraying the Northern Ireland situation the film deals with the North's various political issues and includes the songs and music of `Politician Man' by Turlough Kelleher, also of Greystones. Turlough was a film maker and photographer while a student at Dun Laoghaire Art College where he spent two years studying. The film was a feature of the Cork Film Festival which opened on Sunday last (October 11). 

Wicklow taking an active part in tree festival 

A NUMBER of County Wicklow-based events are among those included in a busy programme planned to mark the annual tree festival, Feile Shamhna na gCrann. Taking place from October 15 to 31 next, the festival is being organised by the Crann, the non-government organisation founded in 1986 to increase broad leaf tree cover in Ireland. According to festival spokesman Stephen Coyne, the aim of the annual feile is to heighten appreciation of trees within the community and to encourage local involvement with planting them. Wicklow highlights of this year's festival include:- The planting of a peace tree in remembrance of the victims of the Omagh bombing in association with Coillte and the Glencree Peace and Reconciliation Centre this Thursday, October 15 at 12 noon, at the Oak Glen, Glencree. The Irish Woodworkers for Africa is association with Newcastle Community Residents Association will present `Wood of Life,' a hands-on exhibition of wood and forest information from around the world, from 3 to 8pm daily at Newcastle Community Centre, Newcastle. Contact Pam Minnock at 01-2819446 for more details. A one-day seminar of talks, walks and tree lore at the home of Irish forestry at Avondale House, Rathdrum, at 12 noon on Saturday October 24 next. Guided walk with tree surgeon Jim Fitzpatrick at the Glen of the Downs on Monday, October 26, meeting in the car park at 2pm. 

Big turnout for Bray Women's Refuge Walk 

THE crowds came out on Sunday last for the Bray Women's Refuge walk from Bray to Greystones. Led by Donncha O'Dulaing the inaugural event was supported by a huge crowd of walkers, including Deputy Liz McManus, MEP Nuala Ahern and Chairman of Greystones Town Commission Derek Mitchell. In light of the success of this first walk well-known broadcaster Donncha O'Dulaing has volunteered to lead a marathon sponsored walk throught the Basque region of Northern Spain in aid of the Bray Women's Refuge. `An organising committee is currently being formed to plan the event which will take place in the early summer of 1999 over a period of seven to 10 days,' said Director of the Refuge Brenda Hannon. On Sunday local men Christie Reilly and Hugh Ivory of St Kevin's Pipe Band led the walkers down the Seafront, creating quite a stir amongst the passersby, some of whom ended up joining the throng to go the full distance. After refreshments and plenty of chat in the La Touche Hotel, local taxi man Noel Lang was at hand to shuttle all the participants back to Bray, many of whom have pledged to get themselves into gear for Spain 99. 

Keyes slams U.D.C. 

A LOCAL Councillor has criticised Bray UDC for the lack of proper facilities in council offices. Cllr. Noel Keyes has submitted a notice of motion to Bray UDC requiring that proper facilities be provided in the Council offices for the conducting of private business with members of the public. Cllr. Keyes has also requested that the Council make arrangements for the Housing Officer to be available to conduct interviews with members of the public for a designated period of each working day. In a recent heated discussion Cllr Keyes demanded that the privacy of members of the public in Bray be respected by the Council and that appropriate facilities for interviewing members of the public be made available. `During the debate, I pointed out that it is more than a little ironic that members of Council Staff seem to be willing and able to meet developers and potential developers at any time of the working day, but that the same facilities are not available to the rest of the citizens of Bray,' said Cllr. Keyes. 

Journalist Frank took a year off and wrote a book 

ANNE SAVAGE Bray. 

BRAY journalist Frank Coughlan found himself with more than one baby on his hands when he took a year off work to look after his two-year-old daughter. The `other baby' required TLC of a different kind, however, for this was to be the first novel from the well-known Evening Herald columnist. Now father-of-three Frank's book has just been published, serving up a large slice of life in modern Ireland following the relationship of a couple in the 70s. Originally from Cork but now a resident of Bray, Frank took time out from the Herald two years ago to combine writing a novel with caring for his new-born daughter. Facing one of the biggest challenges of his career, he said he soon realised that while he was very good on the day-to-day details of preparing lunches, changing nappies and organising bottle feeds, he was poor when it came to basic nurturing skills. `While the baby slept I escaped into the fantasy world of my imagination and shortly afterwards gave birth to baby number four, my debut novel: Danny and Clare Are Splitting Up,' said Frank. `The subject matter of the novel came to me quite easily. I recognised that there were very few novels out there about contemporary modern Ireland, and the experiences of people living here. I wanted to address that, so the idea of recording the developments of a relationship between two people seemed to be a good subject to base my novel on,' he said. Experiences `It's not based specifically on real life characters or any precise events, but loosely on the general themes that most people experience themselves or witness family and friends going through,' he added. Asked if he found it difficult to write a fictitious novel after years of writing news, Frank said that he wrote it foremost as a writer and then read back over it as a sub-editor would. `That way I was able to cut any flannel out of it. I wanted to make it a light read, easy to enjoy, with no heavy going in it. One of the benefits of being a journalist writing a novel was that I could be very self-critical, so sometimes I was my own worst enemy in that respect,' said Frank. Now back at work after his year off, Frank admits there were times when writing his novel was a welcome escape from the pressures of being a parent. He wrote the vast majority of it in a very short space of time, with 35,000 words completed in just six weeks. `The novel is aimed at a wide readership. I think that it will appeal to many readers, from teenagers going through their obligatory angst, to forty-somethings like myself who fancy some light entertainment,' said Frank. `Basically it's a bittersweet story which revolves around the start of a love affair and the end of a marriage between a lad who never grows up and a woman who is only learning her own strength. It's a poignant yet robust look at modern Ireland and is based in the 70's which many will identify with,' concluded Frank. Published by Marino Books, Danny and Clare Are Splitting Up by Frank Coughlan is available from October 22 at £6.99 in paperback. 
FAMILY SMILES
Tara Nolan and her son Ben from Greystones were all smiles when they were pictured at the official opening of the newly refurbished Tesco Store in Greystones last week

Was standing on back bumper of garda patrol car 

A MAN who was asked by a garda to explain why he was standing on the back bumper of a patrol van said that he was `having a p**s', Bray court was told. Before the court was Donal Lenihan of Grenane Glena, Ballinahinch, Ashford who pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct at Kimberley Road, Greystones on July 5th. Garda John Burke said that 2.55 am he observed the defendant standing on the back bumper of the official garda patrol van at the back of the Garda station. `By the time I approached him he was at the other side of the wall. I asked him what he was doing and he said he was just having a p**s and he could p**s whenever he liked and there was nothing I could do about it', added Garda Burke. The garda said he observed the defendant's body language. `He came right up to my face when he was talking to me', he said. Defendant told the court that he was very drunk on the occasion and his memory of the incident was very sporadic. He apologised for his behaviour. Judge William Hamill told him - `Drink is a matter for yourself and your health but where you are is a matter for the gardai' Judge Hamill fined the defendant £40. 

Two Bray men were `locked in battle' in street 

TWO Bray men who were `locked in battle' on two occasions in the town pleaded guilty to two charges under the Public Order Act in the local court on Friday. They were Glen Currams of 8 Myrtle Grove, and Colin Keenan from 72 James Everett Park, who admitted the charges of being a source of danger to themselves and others and using abusive and insulting words at Castle Street on September 27th. Sergeant Michael Flynn told the court that he was dealing with a fracas on Quinsboro Road at 2.25 am. People at the scene were directed to go home after one individual, who was not either of the defendants, was arrested. `Everyone left the scene but when we went down the Main Street in Bray we found the two defendants locked together in a fight. We separated them and advised them to go home', added Sgt Flynn. However, he said that Currams made his way towards home but stopped outside the Royal Hotel. The gardai advised him to go on home. `A few minutes later the two men were locked in battle on Castle Street', explained Sgt Flynn. Both defendants, who were not legally represented, apologised to the gardai and the court over the incident. Currams, who had one previous Public Order convviction going back to 1996, was fined £60 by Judge William Hamill while Keenan, who had a clean record, was fined £30. 

Sent for trial on buggery charges 

A 48-year-old Co Wicklow man accused of committing buggery with foals has been sent forward for trial to the next sittings of Wicklow Circuit Court. The man faces seperate charges of committing the offences with the animals on dates between May 23rd and June 10th 1996. He is also accused of assaulting a garda, destroying trees, causing malicious damage to cars and releasing oil from a tank. Defence solicitor, Joe Maguire, said that he made a submission to the Director of Public Prosecutions to withdraw one of the statements in the book of evidence. Judge William Hamill ordered the withdrawal of the statement and sent the defendant forward for trial to the next sittings of Wicklow Circuit Court in November. The accused is on continuing bail with a condition that he sign on in his local garda station once a week. 

Jacob's Song Contest 

BUDDING young composers are being offered a chance to put their talents to the test in the annual 2FM/Jacob's Song Contest, which offers entrants an opportunity to hear their work broadcast live on RTE radio and television. The closing date for entries for this year's competition has been set for Friday, December 11 next. Application forms are available by ringing 01-2083242 or E-mailing reidjrte.ie and leaving your name, address and telephone number. Alternatively, write to 2FM/Jacob's Song Contest, Donnybrook, Dublin 4. 

T.D. says `people dying waiting for treatment' 

A LOCAL deputy has recently attacked the Minister for Health over the length of hospital waiting lists claiming that people are dying while awaiting treatment. Democratic Left Deputy Liz McManus pointed out that in June 1997 tackling the waiting lists was set as a key priority commitment by the Government yet now there are almost 35,000 people waiting for treatment. `We are talking about children as well as adults and we are talking about people who are waiting so long for treatment that some will die for lack of it. 110 people waiting for heart by-pass operations have already died. One per cent of the Irish population is now on a hospital waiting list,' said Deputy McManus. `That is a devastating reality at a time when the economy is booming and the exchequer is awash with money,' she said. `To cite a simple example, one consultant doctor in St Vincent's Hospital alone had three patients with cancer of the pancreas and two patients with cancer of the liver, none of whom he could get admitted for surgery,' she added. `One of these patients has now been waiting for an operation since July. The tumours these people suffer from do not go away. They grow and spread and without their treatment the life expectancy of these individual patients is shortened,' she pointed out. Deputy McManus said that she had read with interest the leaked findings of a recent report commissioned by the Minister. `It is regrettable that despite all the coverage the report is still being withheld and as a first step to show serious intent the Minister should immediately publish the report,' she said. `The Government will have at least £800 million to spend in the Budget. The Minister has a duty to live up to the promise in the Government programme, he also has the means and I hope he will outline his intentions immediately,' she added. 

Denim Day fundraiser on October 23 

THE Irish Youth Foundation's annual Denim Day is coming up on Friday October 23. The idea is that everyone wears an item of denim clothing to school or work where they normally wouldn't wear denim and then donates £1 to the Irish Youth Foundation. For more details call 1890 22 66 77. 

Shankill man tells of intimidation by gangs of youths 

A YOUTH told a court this week how he was hospitalised after receiving a punch from a resident of a private housing estate in Shankill who, he claimed, had earlier referred to him as `pig s..t'. The youth was giving evidence against John Donovan, 9 Shrewsbury Hall, Quinns Road, Shankill, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of assaulting Brian Cummins at Quinns Road on November 2nd 1997. The lengthy hearing at Bray court on Friday was told by Brian Cummins that he and his friend, Enda O'Connell, were walking into the Shrewsbury Hall estate. Kicking bottle `I started kicking a plastic bottle and when I went into the estate a man shouted at me to pick up the bottle and then became abusive, calling me pig s..t', he said. Witness added that he said `no' and continued on his way to a friend's house. He stayed about 20 minutes and was going back up to Enda's house when he met with more friends, Shane Dooley, Ronan Farrelly and Brian McCafferty. He explained that they walked back up Quinns Road and the man who called him pig s..t was directly behind them, walking his dog. Brian McCafferty asked him if that was the man who had called him pig s..t when the defendant turned around and asked them if they had a problem. Grabbed `He squared up to Brian and I said leave it out. We continued on a bit more. I was holding posters and he turned around and grabbed them. I grabbed them back and then he hit me a punch on the left jaw. I fell to the ground and almost hit my head off a wall', witness added. He explained that the defendant walked back down the estate but he himself went to hospital where it was found he had a bruised bone in the base of his ear. Cross-examined by defence counsel, Vincent Scallan witness denied a suggestion that it was a glass bottle or that it was thrown at the defendant. He also refuted an allegation that he had been on the green outside the defendant's home causing mayhem. Witness also denied a suggestion that he struck the accused on the back of the head with a board just before the assault incident or that one of his friends kicked the defendant or that they were all spoiling for a row. When Mr Scallan claimed that the assault occurred when the defendant swung back his hand after being hit on the head with a board, witness said it was not true. He also denied asking the accused if he was going to call the pigs. When it was also suggested by defence counsel that activities on the estate had become notorious, witness said that he does not hang around the estate. Brian McCafferty said in evidence that they were going up Quinns Road when Mr Donovan walked past them. He asked Brian if that was the man who called him pig s..t. The defendant turned around and asked who called him that name. Hit on jaw `He kept walking up the path. I tried to walk past him and he bumped into me. He said that I bumped into him. Enda O'Connell said something about the defendant's dog not being on a leash. Mr Donovan then hit Brian on the jaw', he added. Cross examined by Mr Scallan, witness denied that they were behaving in an intimidating manner. He said he did not see anybody hitting the defendant on the head. Shane Dooley said they were going up the road and the defendant was walking in front of them with a dog. They were talking when the defendant asked who called him pig s..t. Enda said that the dog was still not on a lead. The defendant then hit Brian Cummins. Under cross examination, witness said he had not seen the man before. He could not believe that he could hit someone like that. He denied that the group was acting in an intimidating manner and that Mr Donovan was struck on the head with a board. He said that Brian was carrying posters and not a board. Garda Seamus Mulligan said that Brian Cummins made a complaint at 7 pm that he had been assaulted. `I interviewed John Donovan and he made a statement in relation to the matter. Cross examined by Mr Scallan, the garda said that Mr Donovan made a report about the incident at 6 o'clock that evening. Asked if he was familiar with the fact that there was a lot of trouble on the estate and meetings were called which were attended by 57 of the 60 residents, Garda Mulligan said he was aware of such matters. However, he added that things have quietened down in the past two years. Bottle thrown John Donovan said in evidence that he left his house to take the dog for a walk. Two people were kicking a glass bottle. He asked them to pick it up but suddenly the bottle was thrown at him, missed him by two feet and smashed off the corner fence. `I said bastards, one of them mentioned the word pig and I said they had brains filled with nothing but pig s..t. I carried on down Shrewsbury Road and then turned back. There was a group of people in the shadows in the driveway to my left. These people came out and fell in behind me', he added. The defendant said he felt very intimidated and was shaking. Someone was fanning his neck with a board and then he was struck. He turned around and hit the person holding the board. The group came around him and he received a kick on the leg. Threatened `The dog was pulling me. Two or three of the group went onto the road and shouted at me to go home and abuse my children and they threatened to burn me out. The dog was on the lead and it was as much in fear as I was. I just hit the person nearest to me out of fear', he added. The defendant then said that he knew all of the group to see, claiming that they have plagued his life for the past few years. `They have made us prisoners in our own houses and we have to consider leaving', he claimed. And he added - `Those people know me because I come out and tell them to go away. We just want to be left in peace. I have been kicked and spat at in the past and bottles have been thrown at me'. Cross examined by Inspector Ray Farrell, defendant denied that he over-reacted or that he let his problems get the better of him on this occasion. Asked why, according to his statement, he said - `That is the last time you will hit me sunshine', defendant said it was a response to being hit. He added that he was walking away and was not making any contact with the group. He felt intimidated by them. He also denied that the dog was wandering around. He intends to use him for shooting at a later date, he said. A former resident of the estate, John Hallinan told the court that he sold his house and left the area in 1995 due to an array of hassle there over a four year period. `We were there just two weeks when my car was burned out and over the years my wife and children were intimidated. We knew nobody and never had anything to do with people. I can recognise several faces in the courtroom today', he said. Recognised Cross-examined by Inspector Farrell, witness said that the group causing trouble during his time on the estate were aged 11 to 15. He recognised up to four of them in court. When it was suggested by Inspector Farrell that he could not possibly recognise these people after such a long period of time, witness said he was not wrong. He has five children himself and he knows the faces of children. Rachel Donovan, wife of the defendant, said that she feels very intimidated and is very concerned for her children. I am frightened and I do not like going outside for my children until these people have gone away. Gangs When it was suggested by Insepctor Farrell that she did not seem to have a problem allowing her children out to play, Mrs Donovan said she cannot lock them up. `If there are gangs there when the children go out to play, I tell them to go to the other side of the road and not to talk to them', she said. Judge William Hamill said the fact that the defendant hit Brian Cummins was not in dispute. However, there was a mystery about the posters. He added that owing to the extenuating circumstances of the case, he would apply the Probation Act. 

Father speaks out 

THE father of assault victim Brian Cummins has lashed out at unfavourable way in which his son and the group of other witnesses were portrayed during last Friday's court hearing. `Allegations that these lads are involved in some sort of untoward behaviour are totally false. The lads took time off from school to give their evidence and I cannot help but feel it was they who went on trial', said Tommy Cummins after the hearing. He said the reality of the situation is that all the lads are all deeply involved in playing sport and the majority of them hold down part-time jobs as well as being full time Leaving Cert students. `Myself and the other parents present are far from satisfied with the deal the lads got through the various accusations that were made by the defence counsel, the defendant and his two witnesses', said Mr Cummins. And he added - `These lads are held in very high esteem by most people on the Shrewsbury estate despite the fact that they were accused of being thugs'. Mr Cumins also pointed out that he is strongly considering taking legal advice and following up the matter through the courts. 

Giving valuable help with mental health problems 

LAST Saturday marked yearly World Mental Health Day, and promoting the occasion were the members of Bray Mental Health Association. Run by a small group of volunteers from different backgrounds, they have worked in the locality for the past 10 years to promote positive mental health among the community. `The aims of the Association are in keeping with the aims of the Mental Health Association of Ireland, which are to help both people who have a mental illness or who have experienced mental illness and also to help their families or carers,' said member Alice Malone. At monthly meetings they discuss and plan how to implement their aims, in the areas of mental health promotion, fundraising, providing information and literature on mental health, social functions, be-friending projects, linking with statutory and voluntary organisations and supporting the Mental Health Association of Ireland and its National Public Speaking/Art projects. To promote greater awareness amongst young people of the issues, the local association get very involved in the public speaking campaign on mental health issues which are held yearly amongst secondary schools. The local Association say that `mental illness' covers a wide area, and that it can invlove everything from schizophrenia, anxiety, stress and depression to eating disorders and substance abuse. `Just as people go to the doctor when they are feeling physically unwell, so they should be prepared to talk to someone when they are emotionally unwell,' said Bray member Carmel Nolan. `World Mental Health Day, which is organised by the World Federation for Mental Health and is co-sponsored by the World Health Organisation, took place last Saturday, October 10 across the globe,' she added. To tie in with this a Table Quiz has been organised by the Bray branch in the Strand Hotel tonight (Thursday) October 15 at £12 per table. Many small events take place throughout the year, organised by friends and family of mentally ill people, and the association are very grateful to those who organise the various outings and social occasions. The association would like to thank all who have helped throughout the year and ask everyone to keep up the good work. A Christmas raffle and flag day are also events which take place annually and the Bray group would like to appeal for help with these fundraising days. They are very keen to recruit more volunteers and if anyone is interested in developing and expanding their work in the community please contact Pat Elliffe 2867096, Alice Malone 2828895 or Carmel Nolan on 2863961. 

Milestone for cross border exchange group 

ANNE SAVAGE Bray 

A LOCAL cross border exchange group have recently reached a major milestone in their efforts, bringing together adult males from both sides of the political spectrum as part of the Choices project for the very first time. The Shankill Exchange group believe that they are the first to actually get adult males to come together on an informal exchange in a hands-across-the-border style gathering. `Adult males are notoriously difficult to get to participate in groups such as ours, so we are thrilled to have got this project off the ground,' said Dublin-Shankill co-ordinator Charlie Martin. `We had a very enjoyable golfing weekend in Portlaoise, where the participants were able to spend up to four hours at a time chatting and getting to know one another in an informal friendly setting, it was a brilliant way to break down the barriers as it were,' said Charlie. `We even had members of the Orange Order chatting to those of the Republican persuasion so it was a huge achievement ,' he added. Captain of Belfast's Mountain View Golf Society John Hayes and Committee member Frank McGomrey said that `words couldn't describe the way they were treated and how well they were looked after and the fact that both sides got on so well.' `It ended up as a cultural exchange of songs and memories, and we are currently involved in arranging a return visit to Belfast. We also have a group of line dancers heading to Belfast on the bank holiday weekend and we have something very big in the pipeline for the end of November so watch this space,' said Charlie. The other participants included 17 men from Mountain View Social Club on Belfast's Shankill Road and a group of 30 men from Shankill in Co Dublin. The exchange group organise regular social meetings between different groups from the two Shankills, north and south. Press officer to the British Ambassador Andy Pike spoke of the atmosphere of the occasion calling the whole concept of the group extraordinary. `Genuine friendships were formed and the atmosphere was really conducive to going some way towards healing the rift which currently underlies the peace process. The work being done by Charlie Martin and the committee involved is great, this is truly the way forward for the peace process,' he said. People from all backgrounds participate in the Shankill exchanges, including teenagers and old folk and the remit of the exchange group is to break down the barriers between the `two sides' by making them realise that there is no difference between them at all. 

Marino Clinic 

SOAP opera stars from Glenroe and Fair City will be joined by familiar faces from local business and politics at a special fund-raiser in McDonald's restaurant, Bray, this weekend. One pound will be donated to Marino Clinic in Bray for every Big Mac burger sold at the Town Hall branch of McDonald's this Saturday, October 17. The soap stars will be helping out serving customers, while the day will be further enlivened by the McDonald's Road Train outside. Funds raised will be used to support services at Marino Clinic, which are provided free of charge to teenagers with physical and sensory disability. 

School at forefront of the computer technology world 

A LOCAL primary school is at the forefront of the information technology revolution having been picked as a magnet school by the Department of Education for their IT 2000 project. At a recent parents AGM of St Patrick's, Loreto Primary School, Principal Sr Denise Harvey pointed out to the parents the importance of computer literacy for today's school-going children. `The pace with which information technology is changing is astounding, it is therefore imperative that the educational sector taps into this whole area through the use of IT in schools,' she said. `The IT 2000 initiative by the Department of Education in schools and the contribution by Telecom Eireann in this area are all indicative of the significance of IT in the educational experience,' she added. `The challenge for us as educationalists is to utilise these new technologies in the teaching and learning process giving children the best possible preparation for full participation in the information age. St Patrick's has been selected as an Information Age School. This special recognition was part of a major information technology initiative by the INTO and Telecom Eireann,' said Sr Denise. Guest speaker on the night was Euro PC Training Director Joan Gardner. Euro PC Training is a recently established computer training centre in the Castle Street Shopping Centre. The company have developed a range of computer training workshops for the primary school children at St Patrick's to complement the school syllabus. They also presented a selection of interactive computer programmes to Sr Denise to wish them luck and congratulate them on being chosen as a magnet school. 

Bray group helping to promote mental health awareness 

LAST Saturday marked yearly World Mental Health Day, and promoting the occasion were the members of Bray Mental Health Association. Run by a small group of volunteers from different backgrounds, they have worked in the locality for the past 10 years to promote positive mental health among the community. `The aims of the Association are in keeping with the aims of the Mental Health Association of Ireland. Which are to help both people who have a mental illness or who have experienced mental illness and also to help their families or carers,' said member Alice Malone. At monthly meetings they discuss and plan how to implement their aims, in the areas of mental health promotion, fundraising, providing information and literature on mental health, social functions, be-friending projects, linking with statutory and voluntary organisations and supporting the Mental Health Association of Ireland and its National Public Speaking/Art projects. To promote greater awareness amongst young people of the issues, the local association get very involved in the public speaking campaign on mental health issues which are held yearly amongst secondary schools. The local Association say that `mental illness' covers a wide area, and that it can invlove everything from schizophrenia, anxiety, stress and depression to eating disorders and substance abuse. `Just as people go to the doctor when they are feeling physically unwell, so they should be prepared to talk to someone when they are emotionally unwell,' said Bray member Carmel Nolan. `Wider public awareness of the issues surrounding mental health and mental illness are central to the strategy, and each year groups around the world focus a major effort on a single day, in order to put the issue on the agenda and into the thoughts of people across the globe,' said Alice. `World Mental Health Day, which is organised by the World Federation for Mental Health and is co-sponsored by the World Health Organisation, took place last Saturday, October 10 across the globe,' she added. To tie in with this a Table Quiz has been organised by the Bray branch in the Strand Hotel tonight (Thursday) October 15 at £12 per table. Many small events take place throughout the year, organised by friends and family of mentally ill people, and the association are very grateful to those who organise the various outings and social occasions. A Christmas raffle and flag day are also events which take place annually and the Bray group would like to appeal for help with these fundraising days. They are very keen to recruit more volunteers and if anyone is interested in developing and expanding their work in the community please contact Pat Elliffe 2867096, Alice Malone 2828895 or Carmel Nolan on 2863961. 

Warned on dangers of downzoning 

Councillors warned they may be sued over zoning 

ANNE SAVAGE Bray. 

A TOP council official has warned public representatives they could be sued if they vote to downzone premium land sites in Bray. Assistant County Manager Hubert Fitzpatrick told a meeting of Bray UDC that individual councillor's names could be noted for the purposes of subseuqent legal actions which might be taken by land-owners seeking compensation for devaluation of their property as a result of rezoning. Legal position Speaking during a debate about the proposed new Bray Development Plan, he warned councillors that the law clearly stated that land could not be downzoned in subsequent development plans, and that to do so would leave the Council open to compensation claims. `I would have to warn you that I would be taking note of the councillors who vote for downzoning to take responsibility for their actions if the council were sued for compensation by landowners who were left with worthless land as a result,' said Mr Fitzpatrick. In the case of the council downzoning a site previously earmarked, for example, as light industrial or residential, to farming or recreational, the developers or owners would be left with land which was not of as much value as previously, therefore leaving the council open to claims. Cllr. Joe Behan described the councillors' position as `very frustrating,' and pointed out that drafting the development plan was one of the last few democratic roles performed by the council. `What are we doing here then if we cannot change the zoning whatever way we see fit,' he asked. Cllr. Brid Collins called for more clarification on the zoning of Bray Head, asking whether or not it was possible to have just a single zoning without any small print. `This would leave no room for applications such as the current one to build houses on an area zoned for educational and recreational, which has residential slipped in somewhere in the small print,' she said. Bray Head Mr Fitzpatrick, however, advised the councillors to leave the zoning on Bray Head as before. `Any grounds on which An Bord Pleanála refuse the current active planning application on Bray Head will have to be observed if any other applications are submitted and can be refused on the same grounds,' he said. Cllr. John Byrne pointed out that the major developers knew their rights and all the finer details about such matters. They would be looking for `big bucks' if An Bord Pleanála refused their active planning application on Bray Head. `After all Bray Head has the same zoning as the Loreto grounds which is currently being developed at an amazing rate. McInerney's will be looking for huge compensation if their application is refused,' he said. Compensation Cllr. John McManus pointed out that it wouldn't now matter if they changed the zoning on Bray Head as it wouldn't make any difference to the active file now being examined by An Bord Pleanála and they would still be left open to compensation proceedings by the developers of this particular project. `People should be aware then that our hands are completely tied on this matter and that we have no comeback on it,' added Cllr. Joe Behan. Cllr. Anne Ferris however still maintained that they owed it to the residents of Bray to completely change the zoning on Bray Head. `The last council was told that Bray Head would be protected from housing because of its prospects and views, but they were misled because of ambiguous zoning,' said Cllr. Ferris. 

Teachers launch new book 

TWO Shankill school teachers have collaborated on a new children's book which was launched recently at a reception in a Bray bookshop. `Fowl Play' by Jim Halligan and John Newman was launched at a reception in Dubray Books on Wednesday last. The two primary school teachers, who are no doubt well used to reading other author's efforts at children's writing, decided to give it a go themselves. About the disappearance of Professor Aidan Miller, a local bird expert, the story contains plenty of colourful characters including `world famous chef Marcel la Bouche, whom many may know from his extremely popular TV cookery series Ouvrez la Bouche.' For further details of these exciting characters, you will have to read `Fowl Play' by Jim Halligan and John Newman, which is available in bookshops now. 

FG branch express concern on planning and traffic issues 

BUILDING development in Bray was among a number of issues which caused much concern at a recent meeting of the Michael Collins Fine Gael branch. `There is great concern among the people of the town at the huge increase in building developments,' said Chairperson Caroline Timmons while welcoming new members to the branch. The forthcoming June Local Elections were discussed at length with a number of those present expressing their interest in seeking nominations to run in June. `The issues which will face those at the elections are many, including the controversial building developments. The meeting was in favour of properly planned development, as long as the local infrastructure can cope', she said. `Those who have lived in Bray all their lives as well as those who have come in recently deserve a quality of life with reasonable access to shopping etc,' said Caroline. `The proposed traffic calming measures so far in place appear to be clogging up the town more and more every day. The East ward has eight large schools (Loreto has 850 pupils), and the traffic on the Vevay, Putland and Newcourt Roads as well as Main Street present many dangers to the approximately 4,000 to 4,500 primary and secondary pupils who use the roads at their peril every school day, and this does not include pre-school or creches. `The prospect of the huge increase in traffic from the proposed development at Presentation College (approximately 300 cars) trying to exit onto a road already causing huge problems, appalls everyone. `The new Bray Town Development Plan is due to go on view, and Annette Hynes urged all members and every citizen of Bray to look at the plan, and to exercise their right and make submissions as individuals or groups to both the Council and the current Councillors whose job it is to vote on the plan. It is vital that the zonings in the plan are clear, with no grey areas anywhere. `Deputy Billy Timmins urged everyone present to look carefully at all issues facing Bray. Refuse is a huge concern and Bray UDC must make more positive efforts to alleviate the problem. `Decreasing the use of plastic bags by the local shops for small items such as sweets, newspapers, etc. The general aspect of the town needs not only the UDC to be more practical but everyone to do their own bit,' she said. `As one of those who made a submission to An Bord Pleanála re: the Bray Head development Deputy Billy Timmins was hopeful that the appeal would be successful. `The Seafront is an ongoing sore which needs the support of all to ensure its preservation. The concerns of the Seafront residents regarding the Dart parking, the Aquarium and the coastal erosion scheme were raised by members, calling on BUDC officials to listen carefully to the voice of the people on these matters. `The numbers of issues discussed at the meeting by the members covered not only the East Ward, but the general concerns across the town,' she added. 

Irish Open Ski championships at Kilternan 

THIS weekend sees the seventh Irish Open Ski Championship take place locally. The 180 metre artificial ski slope in Kilternan is where the skiing skills of top Irish, Dutch, Welsh, Scottish and English skiers will be put to the test. Organised by the Ski Club of Ireland the events, including individual slalom events and an international team event, take place on Saturday and Sunday October 17 and 18. The ladies and mens British Artificial Ski Slope Champions, Conor Columb and Sara Faravarz will both be competing and are both actually Irish people. Everyone is welcome to slope along to the championship and cheer on the Irish competitors, just remember to wear your woolly hats and scarves! 

Sea Life Centre proving a big hit with school tours 

THE OPENING of the new Sea Life Centre has helped bring about a five-fold incease in the number of school tour visitors to Bray since the beginning of this year. Just 1,600 children visited Bray on school trips during all of 1997, compared to 8,179 in the first nine months of this year. The figures have been revealed by the School Tour Project, launched last year by Bray and District Chamber of Commerce, which identified Sea Life as Bray's biggest attraction following the opening of the centre on the town Seafront last April. A total of six venues were involved in the project, within which they co-operated to provide the highest standards and best possible value for money to school tours. Also involved in the project were Dawson's Family Fun centre and the Bray Bowl, both of which concentrated on entertainment and fun for youngsters, while the Dry Rain Theatre Company compiled, produced and directed a special show with an Irish theme for children. Out-of-town attractions included the Glenroe Farm in Kilcoole and Model World in Newtownmountkennedy. All were marketed through a `mail shot' to schools, originally confined to Leinster but later extended to all of the Republic and parts of Northern Ireland. According to the chamber, the Schools Tour Project is designed as a service to local tourism interests and is run on a non-profit basis. The project is chaired by Mary Savage, co-ordinated by Mary Neville and staffed by participants in the Chamber's FAS-funded Community Employment Scheme. The project was a way of `providing schools with a hassle-free service, arranging bookings, providing transport if required and dealing with all kinds of queries and details.' `With the proven success of this project, we now intend to increase the extent of our marketing drive further in Northern Ireland and North Wales in 1999. `We in the chamber are obviously delighted that our initiative is making a growing contribution to the commercial life of the Bray area,' said Bray Chamber President John McEvoy. 

Councillors differ over site use 

Heated row over Reihill site plans 

ANNE SAVAGE Bray 

A PROPOSAL to rezone and sell 14 acres of local authority held land for development has sparked a new planning row among local councillors. A heated debate ended with a majority of councillors voting in favour of rezoning the site - known locally as Reihill's land - next to the People's Park to allow hotel and related development. Much of the debate at the monthly planning meeting of Bray UDC centred around the proceeds of any sale of the land should be used for, with suggestion ranging from upgrading the People's Park and River Walk, to safeguarding Bray Head against further development by bring lands there into public ownership. Cllr. John Byrne wanted to see tourism related facilities on the site, arguing that Bray needed more tourist-based industry and not more offices. Cllr. John McManus believed that it seemed certain that the eventual fate of the site would be to be developed into office blocks. `A high-tech type of centre such as teleservices would be a good employment generator and would look acceptable too,' said Cllr. Pat Vance. `We should leave the zoning on the site as it is as we would still have control over what happens to it. There is no need to go changing the zoning,' he added. With many of the councillors in favour of having a teleservices centre on the site, Cllr. McManus maintained such a centre would nonetheless still be offices, no matter how high-tech. Cllr. Anne Egan wanted to know how they were so sure that teleservices companies wanted the site anyway. `To move this project forward we need to zone the site for a high quality hotel and open space as this would also provide access for the public and vehicular traffic,' said Cllr. John McManus. Cllr. Dermot Tobin believed that 14 acres was far too much land to sell when the council actually had it in ownership. He suggested that they use it for social housing. Consultant Michael Grace of Brady Shipman Martin told the Council that access to the currently inaccessible site would have to be via a bridge over the Dargle River. He recommended a high quality, high profile, development would be ideal as it would include open space with public access and it would also carry the cost of building a bridge across the river. He recommended a large hotel group or the headquarters of a prestigious teleservices company as ideal developments which would be to the benefit of the site. Chairman Michael Lawlor pointed out that four of the 14 acres were dedicated to open space and Cllr. Albert Kerr added that the site should be zoned solely for a large hotel development. Cllr. Pat Vance proposed the zoning of Reihill's land for a hotel development and tourist related industry with the majority of council members voting in favour. Cllr. Brid Collins wished to make it publicly known that she voted in favour of the zoning because she couldn't support a development plan which left the 14 acre site in a derelict state. 

Cllrs. want to be consulted before complaints issued 

ELECTED members of Bray UDC should be consulted before any complaints are issued on behalf of the council. That's according to Cllr. Joe Behan, who criticised a decision to issue a letter of complaint to RTE without first consulting elected members. Town Clerk Tom Murphy told members that a recent RTE news report on the drug problem in Bray had been the subject of a complaint which he, along with the council's Garda Liason Committee, submitted to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission in the name of Bray UDC. Cllr. Behan expressed `great distress' that such letters could go out on behalf of the council without the members being informed. `In future I want to see what is being sent off in our names and I want a fair process where we get to have out say in these letters,' he said. Cllr. John McManus stated that as a member of the Garda Liason Committee, he knew that the letter had been sent to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission in the names of individuals and not solely under the Bray UDC name. The matter was deferred until the next meeting to be discussed further then. 

New back to work incentive welcomed 

Bray-based Wicklow Trade Union Centre for the Unemployed has this week welcomed the news of a proposed incentive to encourage married women to go back to work. Should Minister Charlie McCreevy's proposed incentive be implemented in the next Budget the Trade Union Centre for the Unemployed explain what it will mean for the ordinary working family. `We are always uplifted by news of any moves afoot to create employment and the latest proposal, £4,000 tax incentive for child minding to encourage mothers back into the workplace is no exception,' said staff member Adrienne Palmer. Review `While we do appreciate that this proposal is still under review, on the surface it seems like the answer to any mother's prayers but in reality who exactly will be better off,' she asked. `This £4,000 as we understand will be taxed. For those in the lower income tax bracket, this £4,000 for the first child becomes £20 per week after tax while those on the higher income tax bracket will receive £38.50,' she said. `If two families, one in the lower tax bracket and the other in the higher bracket, send their children to the same creche, the family on the lower tax bracket will receive £20 per week towards their fees while the family in the higher bracket will receive £38.50 towards the exact same fee,' she added. Adrienne pointed out that likewise the £3,200 for the second and subsequent children becomes £16 per week after tax for the low income family while the family with the higher income stand to receive £30.50. For school-going children the initial £2,000 becomes £10 for the lower income household and £19 for the higher income family. `Is this a situation whereby only those who can afford to return to the workforce can return to work - how can we bridge this gap,' concluded Adrienne. 

Lone raider makes getaway on bicycle A LONE raider made his getaway on a pedal cycle after he grabbed a small sum of cash during the hold-up of a Bray service station last weekend. According to Gardai, the man produced what appeared to be a handgun during the course of the robbery, although it's not yet clear whether it was real of not. The crime took place at 9.30pm last Saturday when the man entered the Maxol Service Station on Vevay Road and produced his weapon, which was about 12 inches in length. He used it to force one of the assistants on duty to stand, facing against the shop counter with his back to the raider, while a second member of staff was made to open the cash reigster. The raider, who was not wearing a mask, then took money from the till before running outside and cycling away from the scene on his bicycle. In the aftermath of the crime, Gardai said they had identified a person in connection with the offence and were following a definite line of inquiry into the case. 

Was doing 116mph on motorbike 

A motorcyclist who was detected by a Garda radar travelling at over 100 miles per hour along one of the most notorious stretches of the N11 outside Arklow, received a suspended jail sentence and was banned from the road, when he appeared before the local District Court this week. Brian John Wood of 1 Rathdown Court, Blacklion, Greystones, appeared before Arklow Court charged with dangerous driving, and with speeding, at Clonpadden, Arklow, on March 1 last. The court heard that the defendant had been detected by Garda radar travelling at 116 mph at the time. Convicting the motorcyclist on the dangerous driving charge, Judge Ó Buachalla imposed a two-month suspended jail sentence for the offence, fined the defendant £300, and disqualified him from driving for four months. He fined him a further £200 for speeding on the same occasion. The speeding offence which was before the court occurred on a section of the main Arklow to Dublin road which has been the scene of a number of fatal accidents in the past year. 

;tn> Residents will meet 

A controversial planning application to add a further storey by building five residential apartments on top of the existing Sea Life Centre is expected to dominate the agenda at an extraordinary meeting of a local residents' association. Bray Northern Esplanade and Area Residents Association have called the e.g.m. for Jim Doyle's (upstairs), Strand Road, Bray, on Wednesday October 21 next at 8pm. 

Dry Rain players are invited to perform in Galway 

MEMBERS of Bray's best known youth theatre group are worming their way west of the Shannon! For following the success of `Generation Worm' earlier this year, the Dry Rain Theatre Group have been invited to perform the play at the Barboro Arts Festival in Galway. The invitation is a major feather in the cap for Dry Rain, which is the only youth theatre, indeed the only non-professional drama group, which will be taking part in the festival. Covering everything from performance events to arts and crafts, the Barnbora Festival also has a strong international dimension thanks to the participation of visiting groups from Holland, Poland, Wales and Spain, as well as many others from around Ireland. `It's a tremendous boost to be asked to take part and a great vindication of all the work we've been doing and support we've been getting in Bray over the years,' says `Generation Worm' director Michael Roddy. Penned by Dry Rain's writer in residence Noel MacAoidh, `Generation Worm' is a surreal drama about the collapse of conventional values amongst a group of homeless teenagers. `When he was writing the play, Noel took ideas from Alice in Wonderland, Stephen Hawking's Brief History of Time and T.S. Eliot's The Wasteland, threw them all in the melting pot and came up with a sort of urban fairy tale. Without giving too much away, it doesn't quite go according to expectations and turns out to be a cautionary tale,' Michael Roddy says. Although he has been working with Dry Rain for several years as an actor and tutor, as well as with the Dublin VEC Pathways project for ex-offenders, `Generation Worm' is the first play directed by Michael and he is delighted with the result. The cast includes Medbh Boyle, Donna Kiernan, Barbara Flynn, Ronan MacRaois, Ciara Myburgh, James O'Raillaigh, Odette Colgan, Adam Webb, Fleachta Thelan and Allison Gibbons. The play is the latest in a long line of successes for Dry Rain, which will be celebrating its tenth anniversary next year. Although the group receives generous support from many small businesses, they have made a special plea for a major sponsor from the ranks of local industry and commerce. `As the main youth/arts group in North Wicklow, we believe we can offer a valuable boost for any interested firm or business associated with an organisation which is doing valuable work in the community,' he says. Anyone who would like to offer sponsorship support to Dry Rain can do so by contacting 2866830 and asking for Lydia Thomas. 

Kilcoole's new-style housing development 

A NEW-STYLE of residential accommodation has come to Kilcoole with the launch of the Beach Court development in the North Wicklow village. Built by Townpark Estates, Beach Court is a mews style development which is being seen as a milestone addition to the private housing market in the district. Comprising nine exclusively situated two-storey homes grouped around a paved, private courtyard, these are complemented by four retail/showroom units along the front elevation, with accommodation overhead. According to Gordon Lennox of selling agents Jackson Stops McCabe, `the emphasis at Beach Court has been on providing on alternative to the ubiquitous 700 square feet apartment sizes found almost anywhere else.' `The developers have been concious of the fact that many of the purchasers will be young professionals who may want to work from home, with a suitable, dedicated work station within the house. These homes would be ideal for anyone who may wish to shed responsibility for large gardens, but would like to stay in the community in which they have lived for many years. Sizes are varied and layouts are versatile,' he says. With individual units priced at between £125,000 and £160,000, the scheme offers a choice of two-bedroomed units ranging from 800 square feet upwards, and a choice of two and three-bedroomed layouts for four larger homes of 1,200 to 1,300 square feet. Beach Court offers a high level of quality finish and design, including a sophisticated look to the kitchen, elegant fireplaces, luxury bathrooms and the provision of extra phones and power sockets. Security is also a high priority, with remote control audio electronic gate access to the courtyard and vehicular access for residents only. Two show homes are currently on view following the recent launch of the scheme, an added attraction in these days when an increasing number of people are buying new houses `off the plans.' 

Kilquade graveyard appeal 

Democratic Left Deputy Liz McManus raised the condition of a local graveyard with the County Engineer recently. `Much good work has been done around the county in improving and caring for graveyards. It is important that the Kilquade graveyard is given the same care and attention and I am urging Wicklow County Council to carry out the works needed,' she said. 

Ryder Cup is the target of Garden County's Celtic Tiger 

Druid's Glen to get £50 million facelift 

ANNE SAVAGE Bray 

THE CELTIC Tiger with the biggest roar in the Garden of Ireland is to undergo major expansion in the coming months - as Druids Glen Golf Club unveil multi-million pound plans for a major hotel, residential, and new golf course development at their Kilcoole property. Representing an investment of well over £50 million, the ambitious project is due to start on the grounds of Woodstock House at Kilcoole in the Spring, with a proposed completion date for the five-star hotel exactly a year later, in 2000. `The whole project should be fully completed by the year 2003, with the work being undertaken in phased stages,' said Chief Executive of Druids Glen Denis Kane. The project consists of a 150-bedroom five star deluxe hotel embracing a complex which will also include corporate and executive accommodation together with housing units, for permanent or semi-permanent residences, a conference and business centre, 16 metre swimming pool, gym and leisure centre. The company will employ in the region of 200 people in the hotel and another 50 to 60 people to maintain and run the second golf course in this expansion, which will introduce Co Wicklow to its first ever five star hotel. Speaking at the unveiling of plans for the project last week, Denis Kane talked of the tourism related business that Druids Glen has brought to the county, and pointed out that the golf course enjoyed world wide recognition through competitions such as the prestigious Murphy's Irish Open. `The hotel will overlook the magnificent 13th hole on the well-known Glen section of the course,' said Denis. `We are looking forward to the new millennium and with it, new challenges and new responsibilities, and we are particularly proud of the contribution we have made to Irish golf tourism since our official opening a mere three years ago,' he added. The team at Druids Glen are also looking forward to hosting their fourth successive Murphy's Irish Open Golf Championship next July. `The Druids Glen commitment now opens the door for Wicklow to compete at the highest possible level with other countries in a golf resort market which continues to grow in line with the prodigious world wide expansion,' he said. The club has played host to Ireland's largest international sporting event for the past three years enjoying a natural amphitheatre, easy spectator movement and viewing and overall has won the stamp of approval with all concerned. Druids Glen is now a serious contender for the Ryder Cup proving over the past few years that it can manage the crowds and has access to the infrastructure to accommodate them. `There were 30,000 spectators here on the last day of the Irish Open in July and along with the proven success of the access network to the club we have a capacity to accommodate up to 19,000 cars on the busiest days,' said Denis. The combination of this major undertaking and the proximity of Druids Glen to Dublin's accommodation pool and the new airport motorway, will now establish the club as a serious contender for its bid to host Ireland's first Ryder Cup in County Wicklow in 2005. The estate was first owned by Sir Thomas Wentworth in 1600 and passed into the hands of the Earl of Aldborough during the 1700's. Present owner Hugo Flinn bought the estate in 1992 from William Forwood and among its claims to fame is an appearance in Glenroe. The current championship golf course at Druids Glen was developed in the early 1990s at a cost of more than £12 million. Just over a year after opening it landed the prestigious Murphy's Irish Open Tournament, and is set to host the premier national tournament for fourth successive year, in 1999. Enrolment and membership costs to Druids Glen run to in excess of £30,000. 

Horticultural Show was `a riot of autumn colours' 

THE CHAIRMAN of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Liam Kavanagh, has praised Delgany and District Horticultural Society for the Autumn Show staged at the Newcastle Community Centre on Saturday. He complimented the exhibition and members for the high quality of the produce, which was very colourful. `It was almost like a harvest festival,' he said. Praise for committee Exhibits ranged from apples, pears and other autumn fruits to a full display of vegetables (cabbage, onions, leeks, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, and herbs). The flower classes covered chrysanthemums, dahlias, roses, and michaelmas daisies. Mr Kavanagh praised the Newcastle Community Committee for bringing the show to Newcastle and said that while the Delgany and District Horticultural Society drew its membership from south Co Dublin and north Wicklow, a greater effort should be made to recruit new members from the mid-county and Wicklow town area. He encouraged local people to get involved. He also praised the Ashford and District Beekeepers' Association for their honey exhibits. He commended St Francis's School for winning the school class. Results Murdock Cup, Rowan Cup & RHSI spoon for best apples, Harry Johnson (Newcastle); Shamrock Voucher for best collection of vegetables, John Markham (Greystones); Sam Golden Salver for best collection of vegetables, John Markham (Greystones); D&DHS Cup for best onion, John Markham (Greystones); Crawford Cup for best Chrysanthemums, Evelyn Johnson (Newcastle); O'Neill Cup for best lilies, Margaret Kelly (Greystones); Greenhouse Voucher for best ornamental foliage, Margaret McVitty (Newcastle); O'Brien Cup for best dahlias, John Markham (Greystones); Perpetual Silver Cup for best cacti, Joan O'Regan (Killiney); D&DHS Trophy for best junior exhibit, Nicholas Broadstock (Newcastle); Floral Art Turton Cup, Maura Sheehan (Bray); Dempsey Silver Vase, Margaret McVitty (Newcastle); School Class, St Francis's School. 

Writer in Residence programme comes to an end 

Feast of arts in Tinahely 

WICKLOW County Council's first ever Writer in Residence Programme will come to an end this weekend in Tinahely with a weekend event to celebrate local literature, art, theatre, music and comedy. One of the highlights of the event - titled Stream and Gliding Sun - will be the launch of an anthology of Wicklow literature called 'Stream and Gliding Sun: A Wicklow Anthology'. Edited by the county's Writer in Residence, David Wheatley, the anthology contains a cross-section of poetry and prose from and about the county by both Irish and non-Irish alike. Readings from the anthology will take place over the weekend with the likes of John Banville, Michael Longley, Dennis O'Driscoll, and Carol Rumens doing the honours. Another publication which takes material from around Wicklow as its subject matter is 'I Am the Crocus' which is a collection of poetry written by children from all parts of the county. 'As a local authority, it's quite unique that we would publish three books', says County Arts Officer Deirdre Enright. The other is a play by Bray writer Noel McKay, 'Monumental', which will also be launched on Friday night in Tinahely. `It's good that people who are starting out on their careers as writers have something like this, and it's all very good quality', Deirdre added. The Writer in Residence programme was an innovative project undertaken by Wicklow County Council when they appointed David Wheatley earlier this year. He may be now finishing his stint but it is hoped that somebody new will be appointed to the post next spring. The job of the Writer in Residence involves meeting with writers groups and individuals who are interested in writing, offering advice, as well as continuing with one's own writing. `Stream and Gliding Sun' takes its name from a poem written by Yeats about Glendalough which is just one of the items featured in the literary anthology. `This is a unique event for writers', the Arts Officer said this week, `which does highlight the the tradition of writing in the county and from the county and it's very important that we assist that.' This weekend - which is supported by Wicklow Rural Partnership, the Arts Council and Poetry Ireland as well as Wicklow County Council - should provide a welcome boost for Tinahely and the full-time arts centre at the Courthouse, putting the spotlight on the facilities which the south Wicklow town has to offer in terms of the arts. `We're very lucky to have something like Tinahely in the county.' Other events included over the weekend will be music by the Greystones Orchestra; a performance by the Two Chairs Company on Friday which will adapt stories and music from literature and legend; a show by comedian Brendan Dempsey who recently appeared at the Edinburgh Festival and is also a regular on Channel 4's Father Ted'; and many more. Bookings are available by contacting the Tinahely Courthouse Centre on 0402-38529. A weekend ticket, available from Tinahely Courthouse Centre, costs £20. 

McManus slams waiting lists 

Some of the patients on hospital waiting lists will die due to the lack of treatment, according to Democratic Left TD Liz McManus. She said that it was a scandal that one per cent of the country's population was on hospital waiting lists. Speaking at an adjournment debate in Dáil Eireann, she pointed out that at the same time, over the Summer over 750 beds acute beds were closed in hospitals because of budgetary constraints. The extent of bed closures was frightening, she said, particularly in view of the fact that the review group examining the situation had cited hospital capacity as an obstacle to getting treatment to those who need it. 

Calling Wicklow's young songwriters 

YOUNG songwriters are being offered the chance to win £2,500 worth of musical or recording equipment in this year's 2FM/Jacob's Song Contest. December 11 is the final date on which entries from songwriters aged under 20 will be accepted, and ten songs will be selected for the final, which will be broadcast live on 2FM on Friday February 26 next. The winning entrant, along with winning the Yamaha equipment, will represent Ireland at the Song Contest for Youth Programmes in Europe, radio's answer to the Eurovision Song Contest. Application forms are available from 01-2083242, or by e-mailing reidjrte.ie and leaving one's name, address and telephone number, or alternatively, by dropping a line to 2FM/Jacob's Song Contest, Donnybrook, Dublin 4. 

Autumn School a popular event 

They're all just Wilde about Oscar 

`OSCARMANIA' has taken over Bray, according to this year's Oscar Wilde Autumn School organisers. `As we near the centenary of his death, Oscar's popularity seems to be greater than it ever was. His wit and wisdom is as often quoted today as the day he spoke them himself. Unlike most other famous writers of the past, Oscar is still `cool', he was a pop star before his time,' said Autumn School Co-ordinator Jim Roche. The group wants to point out that the school, organised by the Chamber of Commerce, is not just aimed at the academics. It's something that everyone can enjoy and the keynote opening night reading is by the ever popular Paul Durcan. There are many highlights throughout the school among them a talk by rock journalist BP Fallon on Oscar's influence on the world of rock `n' roll. Alan Stanford will talk about directing `Lady Windermere's Fan' at the Gate Theatre. Barry McGovern is going to give a special one off performance of the `The Ballad of Reading Gaol'. The Red Rua theatre company will be giving a rare performance of one of Oscar's lesser known works `Vera or the Nihilists' each night of the school at 8pm in the centre for adult education, Putland Road, Bray. Rare performance From October 21 to 25 in the Esplanade Hotel on the Seafront, the hotel's unique Victorian atmosphere will provide the ideal setting for the school. Bookings for the events can be made throughout the Oscar Wilde Office, Chamber of Commerce House, Prince of Wales Terrace, Bray, phone 2865245 or fax 2760230. Prices are £6/£4 (conc.) for poetry readings and £8/£5 for each daily lecture session. The schedule is as follows: Wednesday October 21 8pm poetry recital - Paul Durcan. Thursday October 22 2.30pm winners of schools poetry competition; 4pm `Victorian Bray' by Liam Clare; 5.15pm `Introducing Oscar' by Ian O'Malley; 8pm readings by local writers, chaired by David Wheatley. Friday October 23 2pm `Imagining Wilde' by Dr Eibhear Walshe UCC; 3.30pm `Directing Wilde' by Alan Stanford, Theatre Director; 5pm `A provincial like myself: Yeats, Wilde and the politics of identity' by Noreen Doody TCD; 8pm `The Ballad of Reading Gaol' by Barry McGovern. Saturday October 24 noon `Verbal Sabotage, Wilde's war with English' by Dr Jerusha McCormack UCD; 2pm `Oscar Wilde and prejudice' by Fr Michael McGreil, NUI Maynooth; 3.30pm `Oscar Wilde and Pop Music' by BP Fallon, Rock Journalist, 4.45pm Dramatic performance (Trapeze Theatre Co.) 8pm Gala dinner. Sunday October 25 2pm `Bruce Arnold John Temple and the Swifts and William Wilde's role in the affair'; 3.15pm `Sir William Wilde, narrative of a voyage' by Dr JB Lyons; 4.15pm `The Trials of Oscar' by Dara Hogan TCD; 5.15pm `The sculpture in Merrion Square' by sculptor Danny Osbourne. 

Health information at the touch of a button 

THE EASTERN Health Board has launched a new internet web site offering detailed information on its services to the 1.3 million people living in counties Dublin, Kildare, and Wicklow. According to the the Board, the site provides `quick and easy access' to its wide range of services, including a comprehensive directory offering `gateway access' to more detailed information on areas of interest. The website address is: www.EHB.ie The site also lists information on eligibility for various entitlements such as medical cards, drug refund schemes, and supplementary welfare. Public information There's also a public information service based on most frequent queries to the Board's Customer Services Department, fully indexed details of recently published documents from the board and job advertisements. The Board said it was working the with the National Council for the Blind of Ireland to ensure their site could be accessed by the visually impaired. It was also hoped to make the website available in libraries and other public information outlets. Chief Executive Officer P.J. Fitzpatrick predicted that in view of the geographical spread and diverse range of services provided by the Board, the website would prove to be an invaluable tool in keeping clients, staff, other health professionals and researchers well informed and up to date on all aspects of its services. 

Pioneers centenary plans 

MEMBERS of the Bray Deanery of the Pioneers Total Abstinence Association have been making plans to celebrate the centenary of their organisation, which will be 100 years old on December 28 next. Currently numbering over 60 members in Bray and the surrounding area, local pioneers are looking forward to a busy year of celebrations, which will commence with a special mass in St. Francis Xavier's Church, Gardiner Street, Dublin, at 3pm on December 28 next. Highlight of the year will be a gathering of pioneers and their friends from all over the world in Croke Park on May 30 next for a special mass and evening of entertainment. Tickets are available now at £5 each from local pioneer centres. Details of the year ahead were outlined at a meeting of the PTAA's Dublin Diocesan Council in Fatima Hall, Bray, last Saturday. The gathering also heard that the need for the pioneer movement is even greater now than it was when it was founded a century ago. Members were urged to promote the aims of the association, encouraged to were their pioneer pins `publicly and proudly,' and to make it clear to young people that new members were always very welcome. Bray Deanery Council will host the Dublin Diocesan Finals of the Readoiri competitions on November 28 next in St. Fergal's Hall, Bray. Any pioneer interested in taking part can get further details from local parish centres. 

As Local man Liam Clare launches his new book on Victorian Bray, Mary Davies reviews the book for this week's Looking Back column. 

Recalling Bray's seaside heritage 

FOR AT least a century, the people of Bray have been proud of the history of their town as a seaside resort. The main story has been told and retold: the opening of the railway in 1854; William Dargan's involvement; the building of new roads, substantial hotels and grand terraces of houses between Main Street and the Seafront; the promotion of Bray as the `Brighton of Ireland.' But beneath the surface of a popular resort, frequented by visitors from all over Ireland and from neighbouring Britain, were pressures and problems caused by this seasonal influx and by the rapidly increasing resident population. The story of these problems and how they were handled is now admirably told by Liam Clare in Victorian Bray: a town adapts to changing times, just published as a paperback in the Maynooth `Studies in local history' series. Engrossing book Liam Clare was born in Bray and his intimate connection with the town shines through the pages of this short but engrossing book. He begins his story in 1837, when the small, largely one-street town of Bray, offering fresh air, sea bathing and beautiful scenery, was already attracting wealthy visitors and residents. The first attempt to provide local government was made as early as 1840, but it was 1857, when expansion was well underway, before Bray acquired its first Town Commissioners, forerunners of the present Urban District Council. It was too late for these Commissioners to influence the choice of route for the railway $- Clare suggests that a route on the inland side of Main Street would have been better for the town $- but they had plenty of other matters to ponder connected with the provision of services and the maintenance of standards. The Commissioners were elected by male householders of premises of a certain rateable value, and they themselves had to be relatively well-to-do. The first chairman was the principal landowner in Bray, the Earl of Meath, but he was eventually ousted in a ratepayers' coup. Edward Breslin of Breslin's Royal Marine Hotel had particularly lengthy service as a Commissioner, surviving charges of corruption and of sexual assault that have a wholly modern ring. Water supply was one of the on-going topics of discussion at meetings of the Commissioners. `Pure water' was drawn from the centre of the Dargle River under Bray Bridge, while the railway company sold water from its own reservoir down the Herbert Road to a `few favoured residences.' In the 1860's the Commissioners proposed the building of a reservoir near Enniskerry, but this was blocked by Lord Powerscourt on the grounds that it would harm the hunting and fishing. Even after Bray was connected in 1870 to the new Vartry reservoir there were complaints, still familiar today, about the water being cut off at night during dry summers and about poor pressure - both serious matters in a resort full of visitors. Sewerage was, of course, another big problem. Waste disposal was not tackled until the Bray Township Act of 1866 gave the Commissioners extra spending powers as well as incorporating Little Bray into the township. Separate new sewers were built in different areas, discharging into the Dargle or to the Seafront, but this work did not always go smoothly. Some householders refused to pay the charge for connection. Herbert Road's sewer discharged into the mill race upstream of Bray Brewery's intake, and was alleged to affect the brew. Not surprisingly, the manager did not drink water taken from the the mill race! Many homes in Bray failed to benefit from the work. In 1876 a Royal Commission of Inquiry heard from the local sanitary officer that there were houses `unfit for human beings to live in - no yards, no ventilation of any kind, very little light, no water supply, no sewerage, they were nothing but dens.' Clifton's Lane in Little Bray was `the most wretched place I have ever seen. It is more than I can conceive how people live there.' Clare notes that shortly afterwards Lord Brabazon, who owned Ravenswell House, offered to build a `public privy' for the Little Bray residents who, lacking sanitary facilities, made use of this land. Dramatic improvement Artisans' dwellings built in Little Bray in the 1880's and, after 1899, slum clearance and the first local authority houses were eventually to effect a dramatic improvement. Besides the themes of local government and of public health, Liam Clare discusses `Building up the new town; tidying up the old' in the middle section of his book. Like the rest, this section is packed full of fascinating glimpses of life in Bray in the Victorian period. Bathing areas were segregated: females and boys under 10 were allowed to bathe on the main part of the shore from opposite Quinsboro Road to the present Strand Hotel; males and boats were forbidden to approach. There was only one official in Bray who knew how to turn up the water pressure for the fire hoses - and his own thatched house burned down in his absence. Read this book for a serious discussion of the issues facing the developers and elected representatives of the time, many of them with resonances today, or read it for the vivid picture it gives of the seaside town as it used to be. Beg, borrow or - preferably - buy it, is the recommendation to everyone interested in the story of Bray. Victorian Bray: a town adapts to changing times (Maynooth studies in local history: number 18) by Liam Clare (Irish Academic Press, Dublin), is now on sale at £5.95. 

Tidy Towns gardening awards presented 

THE BRAY Tidy Towns Gardening Competition Awards were recently presented to many of the premises in Bray which helped to secure the town's fourth place in the county overall in this year's Tidy Towns. `Bray finished fourth in the county's 26 entries. Reaching the top echelons in the Tidy Towns Competition is a long haul particularly in a large town,' said Chairman of Bray UDC Michael Lawlor at the presentation of the awards. `I do hope that we all continue our efforts to improve our position. Our biggest problem however remains to be litter. The amount of litter strewn on our streets, roads, hedgerows and open spaces is a national scandal,' he added. `The competitions organised by the Beautiful Bray Association complement the National Tidy Towns Competition. The competitions focus on areas which are vital to achieving improvements in our performance in the national arena,' he added. AWARD WINNERS: Bray Gardener of the Year: 1st Maura Sheahan, St Joseph's, Old Connaught Ave., Bray. Individual Front Garden Summer: 1st Jill Kulchycky, 16 Glencourt; 2nd John Kelly, 11 Failte Park, Adelaide Road; 3rd Mary Haines, 14 Raheen Park. Individual Front Garden All Year: 1st Tom Jenkinson, Ballymuddagh; 2nd Maura Moraghan, Shalimar, Raheen Park; 3rd Matt Farrell, 32 Beech Road. Best New Entry Front Garden: 1st Geraldine Cleary, Bella Vista, Seafront; 2nd Kieran O'Connor, Cois Sleibhe, Southern Cross; 3rd John O'Gara, 41 Seapoint Court. Window Boxes, Containers and Hanging Baskets: 1st Kieran O'Connor, Cois Sleibhe, Southern Cross; 2nd Rose O'Sullivan, 68 Charnwood; 3rd Maeve Bermingham, 33 The Drive, Woodbrook Glen. Best Presented Commercial Premises: 1st Ego Restaurant, Village Gate Arcade. Best Presented Hotel/Guesthouse; 1st Royal Hotel, Main Street. Best Presented Public House; 1st Duff's, Main Street. Best Presented Garage/Filling Station; 1st Windsor Herbert Motors, Dublin Road. Best Presented Shopfront: 1st Gabriel Dooley Auctioneers, 97 Main Street. Best Presented Shopping Centre; 1st Melcorpo Castle Street Shopping Centre. Best Presented Large Estate; 1st Ripley Hills, 2nd Mountainview, 3rd Fairyhill. Best Presented Small Estate; 1st Aravon Court, 2nd Rathclaren, 3rd Sidmonton Court. Best Presented Estate Entrance; 1st Belmont, 2nd Woodbrook Lawn, 3rd Glenbrook. Best Presented School Grounds; 1st Ravenswell, 2nd Bray School Project, 3rd St Thomas' Community College. Best Presented Church Grounds; 1st St Peter's Church, Little Bray. Best Presented Sports/Community Facility; 1st Signal Arts Centre, Albert Avenue. Environment; 1st National Specialist Equestrian Training Centre, Old Connaught Ave., and Seafront; 1st The Pepper Mill Restaurant, Strand Road, Bray. Tidy Towns Public/Municipal Representative of the Year; 1st Gavin Carton. Tidy Towns Person of the Year; 1st Ultan Fitzsimons.