On today’s show Gavin Grace was joined in studio by Cora Summerville from Doora. Cora is a
Volunteer with New Horizons, who organise a social support group. Following her retirement from An Garda Siochana, she took up jewellery making and now teaches others through New Horizons who meet every Friday in Ennis. Cora also holds the title for Co. Clare’s first female Garda, she spent 30 years in service to the community. She joined Gavin to talk about her role as a volunteer as this week is National Volunteering Week, organised by Volunteer Ireland and undertaken by groups and communities nationwide. In a recent survey of more than 500 active volunteers, carried out by Volunteer Ireland, 43% said that ‘personal belief for a cause’ was the most important part of their decision to volunteer, followed by the ‘organisation’s values and principles’ (24%) and the ‘experience people will gain’ (21%). 76% said that volunteering was either ‘essential’ or ‘very important’ for the future of their community. The survey also found that being involved in volunteering brings positive benefits to people themselves with 98% responding that ‘volunteering makes them a happier person’. The Clare Volunteer Centre has also organised a poetry competition to celebrate the act of volunteering in the county – see www.volunteerclare.ie
Aileen Browne of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service also spoke to Gavin about how blood donors in Clare have made significant contributions to the service in recent years and are continuing to do so. 35 blood donors from across Clare received a special gold pin last Friday night in an event to celebrate their 50th blood donation to the IBTS. Of the 35 awarded the pin were – 15 Donors who donate in Ennis, 6 Donors who donate in Shannon. 6 who donate in Scarriff, 3 who donate in Kilrush, 2 who donate in Killaloe, 2 who donate in Spanish Point and one Donor who donates in Ennistymon. Aileen is also appealing to the people of Clare to continue to support the service and donate throughout the Summer months. For details of where and when you can give blood see www.giveblood.ie or call the Mid West office on 061 306980
Sarah Malone is the PRO for this year’s Burren Slow Food Festival. The 7th annual festival is organised and presented by Slow Food Clare. It takes place this weekend – from the 18th to the 20th May and this year features TV Chef Donal Skehan, beer tastings, farmers markets, cookery demonstrations by local chefs and seaweed foraging! For more details of events taking place this weekend see www.slowfoodclare.com
Gearoid Mannion of Tom Mannion Travel Worldchoice in Ennis was in studio for his weekly Travel Feature; this week Gearoid advised the Algarve in Portugal as a holiday destination. He discussed flights to and from Shannon to Faro airport, resorts catering for families or individuals in Vilamoura, Albufeira, Lagos and Alvor. He discussed day trips and visits to Lisbon and separate trips to Fatima, Porta and areas further north.
Philip Moreau, our resident Horticulturist from Tuamgraney joined Gavin for his gardening feature -In The Garden. He discussed how to get rid of vine weevils, avoiding rotting strawberries, how to keep animals away from crops of beetroot and how to move bluebells and other bulb plants to another area. If you have a specific query for Philip email [email protected]
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