It Says in The Bridge: Nov 07
When you get the word 'dramatic' into a headline, it's a surfire way of getting attention. And that's just what the lead story in this issue gets, highlighting how a hearing on the proposed Usk landfill was 'dramatically postponed'.
On a more cheerful note, the other front-page story shows a picture of the 48,736 euros cheque being presented to a member of the Irish Cancer Society by Mac Sully and Norman Egar. Another 'staggering' performance from the initiative from their Vintage Rally initiative of several years ago.
The Editorial in this month's Bridge is without byline, as is usual, but is by someone who moved to Kilcullen four years ago. The theme is on foot of the recent meetings about the Kilcullen Area Draft Development Plan, which left the writer with divided feelings of 'excitement and nervousness' about the possibility of Kilcullen getting needed infrastructure, but in the process changing 'drastically and beyond recognition'. There's also an apt comment about 'faceless officials' who rezone vast tracts of land at the stroke of a pen 'while failing to provide Kilcullen with basic essentials'.
News reports in this issue include comprehensive coverage in words and pictures of the Community Awards 2007, a strong contribution about the current and future activities of Kilcullen scouts, an update on work in The Valley park, and details of the upcoming 'Mother of All Farces' from Kilcullen Drama Group, 'Cash on Delivery'.
The long-promised Kilcullen Youth Cafe is to be named 'Solas', according to another story. The organisers of the cafe, which will be located in the refurbished Tennis Club building, are looking for volunteer parents to provide support to the initiative.
Roy Thompson previews the annual 'Miscellany on Sunday' planned in the Bermingham home for 25 November, which last year raised 6,000 euros for the Michael Garry House for the homeless in Newbridge. Other upcoming events are headlined as 'Two Rare Opportunities', one being the presentation in Carnalway Church on 18 November about the La Touche family, the other on 2 December is a sponsored walk through Gilltown Stud in aid of Brannockstown NS.
And Billy Redmond has come through on his promise to organise a 'House of Stories' session as detailed in his column in the previous issue. This will take place on the evening of 30 November, in the Parish Centre. He gives full details in this Bridge.
In the regular features, Billy's 'Off the Cuff' this month muses once again on the need for a garda presence 'on the street' which he believes would be a lot more beneficial than 'the odd cruise in the squad'.
In his 'Letter from Taiwan', Sean Landers gives some examples of how he passes his time in that part of the world, which include indulging himself at the concert hall, sleeping at the movies, and writing his Bridge column, 'which sometimes I think is therapeutic'.
Pat Behan isn't sure that the cult TV characters Teletubbies are therapeutic or anything like it. Under the headline 'Tubby Terror' he analyses them as a group and individually and suggests that the series is 'the greatest evil' in many cartoon programmes 'used by governments to establish total state control over the population'.
No such charge could be laid at the activities of those who contribute to 'The Spout' column which represents the creative writing pages of the Bridge. There is again a widely varied set of pieces in prose and verse, and if you want to get involved the writing group meets in An Tearmann every fortnight.
The recent presentation of 'Joseph' by the Transition Year students in CPC is reviewed by Cliodhna Tutty-Bardon. She praises and criticises where each is due and it comes out as a well-balanced piece from which the performers can only feel encouraged.
Pastor Robert Dunlop is back writing for the magazine after his bout of serious illness, a fact in itself which shows he is still battling bravely on his way back to health. His theme this month uses examples of local situations in Brannockstown and Kilcullen which need attention. His object is as much global as local though, and he encourages us to 'reject the notion that the individual can do little or nothing' to change challenging situations.
In the interior design column 'Ask Amanda', subjects dealt with this month include an explanation of terminologies used by interior designers, rugs on wooden floors, and making a narrow room feel wider.
Sports reports feature the success of the Kildare Ladies, with Kilcullen input, in pitch and putt competition. Ladies also get mention in the GAA report, but in 'last minute heartbreak' terms when the local Junior Ladies lost against Carbury in the final. There's also a happier report about the Under 15s girls in Division 2.
Finally, it is also a ladies' month in 'Mull's Corner', where he writes of the local 'queens of camogie of yesteryear', Sue Goulding and Betty Lambe.
"Get involved in sport and enjoy it," is their advice to all young boys and girls. "If you don't, you'll regret it later in life."
Brian Byrne.
Ad: Ford Mondeo
