church review

By Avril Gillatt, Area President
MOTHERS’ UNION AT THE NATIONAL
PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS ATHY 2011
“Fabulous fantastic facility, such a wonderful
facility - you do such fantastic work and we
really do appreciate it” - some of the comments
we received from Mums and Dads at the
Mothers’ Union stand at the 80th National
Ploughing Championships in Athy on the 20th-
22nd September 2011. The Marquee was very
centrally situated and it was much easier for
people to locate us. From as early as 7.30am till
6pm in the evening people strolled past the
marquee, the sun shone and the atmosphere
was alive everyone bustling to their chosen
destination. The Official Opening was by
President Mary Mc Aleese and Dr. Martin
McAleese. The Opening prayers were read by
Archdeacon Rountree and the local parish
Priest and was followed by singing and dancing.
Approximately 600 Mums and Dads from
throughout the country, many from Co. Down,
used the facilities of breast feeding, bottle
feeding and heating solid foods and nappy
changing. Most Mums and Dads were on their
own and not accompanied by family members
as in previous years. At times throughout the
days there was not a spare seat available as
babies and toddlers were being fed. Toddlers
who were waiting for their siblings were busy
colouring and entered the Colouring
Competition organized by Mother’s Union.
The new arrangements in the marquee
worked well, special areas for breast feeding,
area for heating feeds, tables for toddlers to
feed and separate area for nappy changing. We
were very pleased that Mr. Sam and Mrs. Lila
Harper lent us their caravan which was most
useful for members taking a break and for
storing food overnight. Not only was the
marquee divided but all who helped were given
specific responsibility for the different areas,
caravan and catering crew, baby feeding, nappy
changing and meet and greet. Meet and Greet
was not only meeting people at the entrance of
the marquee but giving leaflets to mums with
buggies passing by, promoting the facility.
We were very pleased to be able to provide
this support and that it was so well appreciated
by all who attended. It was a wonderful
opportunity for Mothers’ Union to be involved
in such a huge activity where 190,000 people
attended. This was only possible by the
commitment and support of nearby branch
members and parishioners from Narraghmore,
Timolin, Castledermot and Kinneagh. We were
delighted to welcome All Ireland Vice President
Mrs. Hazel Sherlock who was very impressed
by the facility and the service provided.
Members from Cashel and Ossory, whose
responsibility it will be next year in New Ross,
arranged for members with Young Family and
Out Reach to attend. Mrs. Phyllis Grothier,
Diocesan President, Mrs. Linda Ward and Mrs.
Rosaleen Walsh assisted this year. We were
very pleased that members from throughout
the country, Cork, Sligo and Dublin came and
offered help which ensured that members were
relieved of their responsibility and were able to
visit the Ploughing Championships.
We were concerned that would we be able
to provide a professional and welcoming
service as in the previous two years and we
were reminded by the Rev. Cliff Jeffers Rector
of Athy at the Area Opening Service on Monday
19th September in St. Michael’s Church Athy “
that we were people of God- sharing God’s
love care and support to others.” We
welcomed this opportunity to share our faith
and beliefs during the three days with many
people who talked of life issues and crises
facing them. We were supported in this area by
Mrs. Jean Denner and her husband Mervyn who
displayed Mothers’ Union Enterprises- books
and literature which was of much interest to
those who visited the Marquee.
I would like to thank Mrs. Anna Mae Mc Hugh
Managing Director, her daughter Anna Marie
and her staff for the immediate response to all
of our requests - extra space, detailed signage
and extra toilets. Yes! Once again we had a mum
with a wheel chair who was most grateful for
the support she received. We were delighted to
welcome Anna Mae to the marquee when she
visited us with the Church of Ireland Archbishop
of Dublin and Glendalough Dr. Michael Jackson,
and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin
Dr. Diarmuid Martin and the President of the
Methodist Church.
Mothers’ Union Branches of Athy, Dunlavin,
Donoughmore and Donard, Narraghmore
Timolin Castledermot and Kinneagh and were
the main holders of responsibility for the
organisation and running of the activity. The
event would not have been possible without
the dedication and commitment of the
members. I would like to express my sincerest
thanks to Branch Enrolling Members Mrs. Jenny
Lazenby who assisted with the setting up and
Mrs. Violet Hanbidge who stayed to the end and
helped with the packing up and to all the
members of the branches and the parishioners
of Narraghmore Timolin Castledermot and
Kinneagh. I would like to thank Mrs. Thelma
Cole for providing warm and generous
hospitality to Jean for the four nights for the
past three years. I would like to thank Mrs. Jean
Thompson for under taking to prepare and to
display Mothers’s Union materials and poster
on the walls of the marquee and the colourful
wall hangings she provided.
We welcomed the support from the All
Ireland Mrs. June Wilkinson, Mrs. Margaret
Mahon, Mrs. June Empey. From Dublin Branches
Mrs. Ann Walsh Mrs. Valerie D’Alton and Mrs.
Sandra Knaggs, Mrs. Olive Good, Mrs. Lesley
Rue. Members from nearby Branches also
helped Celbridge Straffan and Newcastle, Mrs.
Lorna Murphy, Mrs. Linda Daly, Mrs. Valerie
Denner, from Lucan Mrs. Heather Godfrey, Mrs.
Valerie Twoomey. I would also like to
acknowledge the support and direction we
received from Mrs. Olive Good in relation to
Safeguarding Trust.
I would like to thank our Diocesan President
Mrs. Joy Gordon for her support and
encouragement in the planning and organising
and her positive response to the requests and
for seeking the support for the provision of
funds for the larger marquee. I would also like
to thank the Rev. Nigel Waugh for the support
of the Church Review.
On a very personal note I would like to
thank the parishioners from Narraghmore
Timolin Castledermot and Kinneagh Judy
Chambers, Jennifer Glynn, Linda Stanley, and
Olga Braithwaite who helped in very practical
ways setting up and packing up. Thanks also to
Timolin National School for the Childrens’
tables and chairs and to Philip Hendy for
providing and delivering chairs.
This event was an All Ireland event and we
the Mother’s Union Dublin and Glendalough
Diocese were all so delighted and grateful that
we were able to fulfill our responsibilities in
such a positive manner and to provide help and
support to so many people particularly so many
young mums who visited us.
We send our best wishes to Mothers’ Union
in the Diocese of Cashel and Ossory in
organising the event in 2012.
From left: At the Mothers’ Union Tent Olga Braithwaite and Linda Ward; MU Tent; Pictured at the Mothers’ Union Stand at the
Ploughing in Athy were l/r front: Avril Gillatt (Area President), April & Linda Stanley, Hazel Sherlock (All Ireland Vice
President); Back: Jean Denner (Diosc. Treasurer), Jennifer Lazenby (Athy Chair) & Linda Ward. Pic: Nigel Gillis.; Timothy Ward,
Daniel Neale & Edward Neale.
10 ChurCh review