Last September, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Mr Michael Ring, TD, announced the launch of a National Community Day which is due to be held for the first time over the May Bank Holiday Weekend, 2019.
The initial funding of €10,000 was allocated from Department of Rural Community Development however Laois County Council were overwhelmed with the imagination of various community groups throughout the County.
As a result Laois County Council supplemented this funding to ensure the maximum amount of community events could benefit from The Big Hello!
The success of this initiative lies in local communities coming together to plan events that work best for their community, for example Family fun/Community days in Camross, Mountrath, Stradbally, The Swan and Ballyroan. The Big Hello! speaks to everyone on an inclusive and open way.
The Big Hello! welcomes you and your neighbours to the National Community Day with open arms. In our busy lives, we rarely make time for each other outside of our network of family and friends.
The Big Hello! starts a dialogue outside of this space, inviting friends and neighbours to put down the phone and make real connections with events ranging from a summer bedding planting day combating isolation to Bilingual Set Dancing class.
From a vintage run to afternoon tea, this will allow a chance for people to foster a sense of helping each other by coming together, not just on that day, but all year round all.
The recurring theme throughout all these events is that neighbours and committees are coming together to build relationships, and reflect on the tremendous work of our voluntary community.
It’s the chance for everyone to get know all members of their community, to reconnect with neighbours and have a celebration that is open and inclusive from Sports Days to a Thank you BBQ for volunteers.
The schedule of events for National Community Weekend is below.
Wednesday 1st May:
Portlaoise Tidy Towns – ‘Heritage in Schools’ Field Trip
Thursday 2nd May:
Laois Branch Alzheimers Portlaoise – Tea Day
Saturday 4th May:
Droimnin Retirement Residents Association Stradbally – Planting wild flowers – afternoon tea
Killeshin Pipe Band – Performance at St. Fiaccs Hse, leading Sodality Walk. Community Field Day
The Glebe Stradbally – Family Weekend
Camross Parish Development Association – Community Day
Camross Vintage Club – Vintage tractor/car run. Raffle & BBQ, 10k run.
Sunday 5th May:
Mountrath Community Forum – “Whats happening in your town” family day
Stradbally Community Dev Assoc – Community Day
The Swan Development Association – Community Day
Tigh Mochua le Cheile Timahoe – Thank you BBQ for Volunteers
Corran na Noir Residents Assoc Abbeyleix – Community Thank You to Volunteers.
Monday 6th May:
Hawthorn Drive Residents Association Portlaoise – Fun &Sports day
Laois Kayak & Canoe Club Durrow – Kayak tasting sessions & BBQ
Ballyroan Abbey GAA – Community Day BBQ
Emo Active Retirement Group – Event of entertainment & refreshments
Maureen Culleton Dance Group Ballyfin – Bilingual Set Dancing evening event for the Dance Class/Group with music & refreshments
SEE ALSO – Gardai appealing for information after trailer stolen on Laois border
