Wicklows’ Local Heroes Campaign

Well folks, many of you may have heard of an initiative to Brand Wicklow Town with the aim of encouraging local business and community involvement.

Here at The Wicklow Way group (which includes whatsonwicklow.com) we decided to put our weight behind this initiative and do what we can to help promote awarenss of the tasks and objectives being carried out by the volunteers from local businesses in Wicklow.

Official Local Heroes Wicklow Town page:

The brand Wicklow initiative is now running under the guise of the Local Heroes Wicklow Town campaign - this is not to be confused with the previous local heroes wicklow facebook page or any other.

We ( local heroes wicklow town) need your likes on facebook where we will be posting updates on the progress and initiatives taking place over the next 3 months (as part of the 100 day campaign)

So please like us on facebook and help Wicklow Town stay in business and encourage tourism, sports, community living and youth projects.

LittleScrap – Unique Range

Childrens clothes, quilts and accessories designed and handmade in Ireland!

We at Little Scrap believe in recycling as much frabric as we can whilst creating a bright, fun and happy new range of hoodies, dresses, skirts, hats, hair accessories and quilts.

Available at selected craft fairs in Ireland during the year and by appointment at the studio.

To make an appointment or for more information, please contact us!
You can also buy online! Visit www.littlescrap.ie

Fundraising Events on behalf of Michael Tiron

Michael is 11 years old and is in 5th Class in St. Cronan’s School in Bray, and lives in Greystones.He has Cerebral Palsy and has always been confined to a wheelchair.

He has recently been accepted for a life changing operation in St. Louis’ Children’s Hospital in Missouri, USA to help him to walk. The operation is scheduled for this summer and including after-care costs €60,000. It is not funded by the HSE.

Michael is a wonderful young man, and really deserves this huge opportunity! His lifelong dream is to finally be able to join a football team.

You can support Michaels Cause simply by attending any of these upcoming events:

• 24th February – Coffee Morning @ The Strand Hotel, Seafront Bray @ 10.30am – some beauty treatments on the morning
• 2nd March – Quiz Night @ The Strand Hotel, Seafront Bray @ 8.30pm – €40 per table of 4, to book contact Serena on 087 666 0554 or Natalie on 086 407 5226; raffle & prizes on the night, top prize is sponsored by The Strand Hotel
• 23rd March – Race Night @ the Boomerang Bar, Bray @ 8.30pm – raffle & prizes on the night

If you or your business would like to donate or help Michaels’ cause please visit www.michaelshopeforindependence.com

click to view pdf

EmployAbility Wicklow

EmployAbility Service Wicklow provides a supported employment service to people with disabilities throughout all of County Wicklow, with offices based in Wicklow Town, Bray and Arklow.

The support is available to jobseekers over the age of 18, who may have different types of disabilities such as:

• Intellectual
• Mental Health
• Physical
• Sensory
• Hidden
• Medical

Our service commenced in 2001 and since then has successfully worked with both jobseekers and employers in facilitating employment.

A Job Coach will provide support to assist you to locate suitable candidates to fill any vacancies which may arise. Support can also be provided around disability awareness training, monitoring the placements and assisting with training at no cost to your organisation/company.

Grants and supports are available to employers who employ people with a disability including the Wage Subsidy Scheme.

The wage subsidy scheme is operated by FAS. It provides financial support (€5.30 per hour) to employers, outside the public sector, who employ people with disabilities who work more than 20 hours per a week.

EmployAbility Service provides the following service to Employers:

• Free Recruitment and Employment Service.
• Match your needs as an employer with the skills, knowledge and experience of suitable candidates.
• Access to a committed, local work force.
• Provide you with support and assistance in understanding and managing diversity in your workplace.
• Provide support, with induction and on the job training, if required.
• Assist with advice and information on relevant grants and supports.

For more information please visit  www.employabilitywicklow.ie

Are you ready to reset your Facebook Privacy?

Are you on FACEBOOK?

Most likely answer is yes.

Have you seen the new ‘timeline’ look? Not only does it look different ( and I think better personally)  but there are major concerns over privacy and what people will now be able to see on your facebook profile whether you like it or not – that is unless you take action and ensure that you check all your privacy settings again!

I came across a  very interesting article  on webpronews, an online publication that I subscribe to, the author is Josh Wolford is a Staff Writer for WebProNews.

The main gist is as see below:

The Timeline puts everything out there by default, and it’s the user’s job to clean it up and make sure that they aren’t publicly sharing something that they want to remain private.

And as far as the concern over frictionless sharing with new apps, the answer is fairly simple.

If you don’t want everyone to see what you’re listening to with Spotify, don’t connect Spotify to your Facebook account.

If their recent actions haven’t made it clear, Facebook is going all-in with sharing. That’s what “frictionless” means – without impediments. The free flow of information has to be curbed by the user, if they want certain activities to remain private.

Titanic Tours to Belfast 2012

This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the tragic sinking of the Titanic. The new titanic centre in Belfast opens from April 2012 and the lovely Terry of Hilltop Treks has now included Titanic Day tours to his services!

The tour leaves Dublin daily for Belfast and the New Titanic Visitor Center:

We will visit the new Titanic Visitor Center in the heart of Belfast city.

We will also visit many interesting locations along the way giving an insight to some of the events that lead to Belfast becoming the ship building capital of the British Empire.

Pickup Locations:

• Dublin Tourist Office, Suffolk St: – 7:55am
• Gresham Hotel, O’Connell St: – 8:10am
• Other Pickups locations are available upon request.

Please be at your pickup point 10 minutes before departure. Return to Dublin for approx 6:30pm
For more information visit www.titanicdaytours.ie

EVENT DETAILS: ‘Wicklow Enterprise Information Day’

Guest Speakers: Dr. John Fanning & Jacquie Marsh

Managing your brand as a small business is just as important as for a global business. Indeed, even individual sole traders have a ‘brand’ identity. John Fanning will provide relevant case studies, in a lively presentation, illustrating how imagination, quirky branding ideas and innovative thinking can set you ahead of the pack, whatever industry you are in.
Dr. John Fanning is the author of ‘The Importance of Being Branded: An Irish Perspective’. He has over four decades of experience in industry, having been Managing Director, and then Chairman of the advertising agency McConnell’s, and is currently the Chairman of Bord Bia’s Brand Forum.
Jacquie Marsh is Managing Director of Bray based company, The Butler’s Pantry.

Seminar 2: 3pm – 4.30pm

‘No Recession Online – eCommerce Options for SMEs’

Guest Speakers: Joan Mulvihill & David Kerr

One of the most common phrases circulating in recent times is that ‘there is no recession online’. But what does this mean for your small/medium enterprise (SME) based in Ireland? Many SMEs spend a lot of time, effort and money on their websites, but if you can generate income from your business website, are you exploiting that opportunity fully?
Joan Mulvihill is CEO of the Irish Internet Association.
David Kerr is the founder and Managing Director of Bonkers Money Ltd., which provides personal finance and price comparison services in Ireland via the website Bonkers.ie.  He is currently Vice-Chairperson of the Irish Internet Association. The Bonkers.ie website won ‘Best Financial Services Website’ at the prestigious eircom Spider Awards 2011.

Mentors

Book a 30 minute appointment on arrival at the Registration Desk with a business mentor (limited availability).

Refreshments & Access

The Campus Cafe will be open throughout the day. Tea, coffee, soup, sandwiches and snacks will be available for purchase.

Hundreds of free parking spaces.

The entire event is wheelchair accessible, with a lift to the seminar room & cafe.

We look forward to seeing you on the 3rd of February!

You can downlaod a flyer for the event, including a Location Map at this link:

www.wicklowceb.ie/enterpriseday

Hollywood Notes January 23rd 2012

Hollywood No Name Club

The Hollywood No Name Club for 15-18yr olds takes place every Wednesday evening from 8.00pm-9.30pm.  New members welcome, just come along.

Hollywood GAA Notes

2011 Wicklow Gaa Year Books are still on sale from Richard Burke.
Thanks to all who attended the Table Quiz on Saturday. We had a good crowd and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
The next event on the Club’s social calendar is a Texas Hold ‘em night on February 11th in The Clubhouse.
Congratulations to Kevin Glennon who picked up his Junior Hurler of the year award at the County Awards Night on Saturday.
Membership for 2012 is now due with Membership Forms now making their way around to all households.
Please return these as soon as possible.

Whist

Whist next Monday night January 30th in The Hollywood Centre at 8.30pm.  All are welcome.

Parish Office

The Parish Office is open from 9.30am to 1pm Monday to Friday.

Lotto

The winning numbers in last week’s lotto draw were: 2, 7, 9 & 23. No winner. The €20 winners were: Nancy Dooley, Baltinglass, Rita Byrne, Dunboyke, Hollywood, Olivia Maguire, c/o Ardclough Bowls, Anne Slattery, Broadleas, Ballymore Eustace and Brian Keogh, Slievecorragh, Hollywood.
Our Lotto jackpot now stands at 5,800. Get your tickets for the next draw 2nd February 2012 from the Hollywood Centre, Daly’s shop and local sellers.

Pilates

Pilates class takes place in the Hollywood Centre every Tuesday 7.30–8.30pm. New members welcome. For more information contact Mary Jane on 086 3568284.

Bingo

Bingo takes place in the Hollywood Centre every Thursday night at 8.30pm. We have two jackpots – €3000 and €1000 to play for each week.

Bowls

Every Tuesday and Friday evening from 8-10pm.  New members are always welcome.

Dates to Remember

Hollywood Centre Social on Saturday March 3rd 2012.

The Hollywood Fair

Our DVD is now on sale, great value at €5. You can order / buy your copy from Daly’s shop, The Hollywood Inn, Tutty’s, Harry Farrington, Martin Byrne, Martina Traynor, and Bridie Wilson. Books are still available from Marie Corrigan and Martina Traynor.

Bookings/Notes

To book the Hollywood Centre, or place a notice in the district section of Wicklow People please contact the Centre on 045 864979 or Email: info@hollywoodcentre.ie

Wicklow Notes 23 Jan 2012

Car Boot Sale

The Car Boot Sale at the Brockagh will take place on Sunday 5 February from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.   Vans must be booked in.  The car boot sale takes place on the 1st Sunday of the month.  Call (0404) 45600.

Tuesday Night – Dance Night

The Wicklow Man is at the Brockagh Centre every Tuesday night from 9.30 p.m.

Glendalough Arts Network

Glendalough Arts are happy to celebrate their first anniversary with a special night of their famous fireside sessions on Friday 27 January 6.45 p.m. the Glendalough Green.  This will be special anniversary night of Music Film and Art  Screening a specially made film of all Glendalough Arts Network activities to date to celebrate the anniversary.

Wine, snacks, arts and craic will feature, great time guaranteed all welcome.  The arts network would like to take this opportunity to thank Clodagh (Glendalough Green) for hosting our events throughout the Year.  Glendalough Arts Network has in its first year built a growing platform of local artists performers and crafts people and is keen to attract new members and artists to promote their work to the community.

Native Woodland Trust – Woodland Walk

The native woodlands Trust is kicking-off its 2012 Laragh Walks and Talks Series on Saturday 28 January with a group walk from Laragh to our new community woodland reserve on Paddock Hill.  We shall be meeting at the car park outside St Kevin’s National School near the Brockagh Centre at 11 o’clock.

The route will pass through some native forest and across open hillside to our reserve where we will stop for some refreshments and to take in the beautiful views. The walking time there and back will be less than 2 hr and we will take plenty of breaks. So put on some good footwear pack your rain coat and a snack and join us for some fresh air light exercise and to learn about our native woodlands.

For more information on this event and to book a place contact Kieran on 087 195 3629 or at floodkw@gmail.com or see our website www.nativewoodlandrtrust.ie

Happy Days Carer and Toddler

Happy Days Carer and Toddler group at the Brockagh Centre every Wednesday morning at 10.30 a.m.  Contact the Brockagh Centre on (0404) 45600.

Lost Camera

A Canon Camera IX US 9981 was lost on Monday 2 January in the Glendalough area.  If found please contact the Brockagh Centre on (0404) 45600.

Adult Art Classes

Adult Art Classes with Almha take place in the Brockagh Centre on Wednesday mornings. No experience necessary.  Newcomers always welcome.   Contact Almha on 086 3897732.

AA Meetings

Closed AA Meetings are held in the Brockagh Resource Centre in Laragh at 8.30 p.m. every Monday night.  If you think that you may have a problem with alcohol please come along.

Roundwood Comhaltas

Singing with Roundwood Comhaltas in Roundwood National School on Tuesday 31 January.  Younger members at 7.30-8. p.m.  Sixth class upwards and adults from 8-8.45 p.m..  Mix of English & Irish singing.  Contact Janine Brennan on 087 2841604 or Clea 086 6795764.

Annamoe Centre

Handball – Interest has been expressed in starting up a handball club. The villagehas an outdoor facility for summer use and now an indoor court for winter.A meeting will be held in the centre on Wednesday 25th January at 8pm.  Everyone is very welcome.

Family Ceili Evenings

Sheila and the members of the Roundwood Ceoltas will continue the sessions on the last Friday of every month commencing 27th January at 8pm. Free entry and refreshments, raffle on the night. All welcome both young & old.

Historical Society.

Plans are underway regarding a Historical Society in Annnamoe. An open meeting will be held on Monday 30th January at 8pm to reminisce on gone by days and the historical nature of the village and surrounds. All welcome.

Circuit Training and Bowls.

Circuit training continues each Monday at 7pm with Johnny. Bowls continues on Tuesday at the new time of 7.30pm. All are welcome.

Tours for 2012

There will be a 7 day tour to La Bourboule in France in June/July 2012, flying to Lyon, bus to La Bourboule.  Fare includes flight, bus and tours, more details later.  Tour to Poland.  There will be a 12 day tour of Poland by coach in July.  Places to visit Berlin, Dresden, Zakophane and many more.  Names as soon as possible to (0404) 45276 any evening after 8 p.m..

Scotland – Tour of Scotland in August, Glasgow, Edenburgh and more.  Contact (0404) 45276.

Brand Wicklow Town

Public Town Meeting at the Grand Hotel on Thursday night 26th jan – that’s TONIGHT folks – at 7pm

One way to keep Wicklow businesses in business is to increase their customer base and ensure that their business is found online by potential customers.

Here at The Wicklow Way we have been busy branding Wicklow online since 2007 and our search engine results speak for themselves!

Indeed our 1000th blog was dedicated to Brand Wicklow in June of last year.

We pride ourselves on getting our customers online and more importantly top of google,  reaching their target base for a very affordable annual rate. ( prices start at just €150)

In fact if you google ‘brand wicklow’ – we come up first!  see screengrab below.

We have also been busy promoting the FREE to download Explore Wicklow App which features things to do and discount offers throughout the county ! Download it yourself via www.explorewicklow.ie

So get your wicklow business online and work with us to promote yourself to a wider audience of potential customers.

Contact Roz on 087 3205680 or email us at office@thewicklowway.ie. Alternatively you can view our packages on www.wicklowireland.ie

Unfortunately we cannot make the meeting tonight due to a prior engagement but we will be there in spirit and online as always.

Notice from Pascal Burke:

You may be familiar with the Local Heroes campaign that has been running on many RTE programmes on both radio and television.

The focus of the Local Heroes campaign is on communities developing initiatives to sustain and create employment in the local economy. We are asking all local businesses, retailers, publicans, restaurants, coffee shops, B&B owners and community leaders etc to attend this important meeting and to have their say in the development of Brand Wicklow Town and the future of Wicklow Town as a Retail and Tourism destination and in the creation of community lead initiatives to stimulate the local economy.

We believe that this is an important meeting that could have a significant impact on the future development of our Town and your attendance and contribution would be greatly appreciated.

Yours sincerely,
Pascal Burke
Chairperson
Brand Wicklow Town Subcommittee

P.S.  You will be aware that Wicklow Town won the award for encouraging shoppers to stay local during the Christmas period with the Victorian Christmas theme in the Medium Towns category.  It would be a pity not to capitalise on the positive coverage we received on the George Lee’s business programme on the 19th of December 2011.  Let’s keep the momentum going!!!