Valley tables need replacing

Donations of €1,000 and €2,000 have been made towards the estimated €2,400 cost of replacing picnic tables and seats in the Valley, writes Brian Byrne. (This story is updated with news of the second donation just in.) 

Those attending the recent meeting of KCA were told that three of the units have reached their end of life. “When we were cleaning and painting the seats in advance of the Family Fun Day, we found that some of them were beginning to fall apart,” KCA’s acting chair Noel Clare told the meeting. He added that the plan is to replace these with seats made from recycled plastic, already used in many of the seats and tables, as well as flower containers around the town.

With €1,400 more needed for this project, Noel had asked everyone present who might know someone interested in sponsoring a seat to have them get in touch with the group — and with the latest donation, the cost is now pretty much covered.

The discussion noted an ‘amazing’ level of use of the seats and tables since they were reintroduced to the Valley several years ago. “It’s particularly great for the young people who want to go somewhere to just hang out,” Noel said. “If you go down there in fine weather, you’ll find every seat and every picnic table in use.”

He expressed appreciation to Paul Mullen of the Lemongrass restaurant in Carlow for his recent donation of four table sets to KCA. “Though they’re not made of recycled material, they’re very sturdy. One is now in the Valley, one at the river beside the square, and two are near the Coffee Hatch at the Community Centre.” 

The next KCA meeting, which is open to everyone to attend, is scheduled for Monday, 13 July, at 8pm.

Please note that the KCA Summer Flowers street collection is taking place today, Friday, and tomorrow. All support welcome.

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