CARDS: The next Hurling Club Progressive twenty five card game takes place in Guinans Bar in Windgap on Friday.......................
TREE ERECTED: Phase one of Operation Transformation at Windgap Hall was completed on Saturday when the Christmas tree was erected on the roof of the porch. Another team event with Gary Cross supplying the tree, the Conalty family the lights the hurling club the fixings and Pat Walsh the stand and drills. Later in the week it is hoped additional decorations will be provided by the School children. The lighting of the tree brought an end to a week where the internal painting was completed in the hall and the toilets were painted with the assistance of Fás workers. The scene was set when the front of the building received a newly coloured coat on Friday and the stage and its surrounds were painted and decorated. In addition a new curtain was hung and the window pelmets covered in colour co-ordinated material.
GAA AGM: Short on numbers in attendance, there was general satisfaction at the AGM held in the Clubrooms on Friday evening. Just a year on from a temporary hitch that was encountered, in filling all positions, on the night, the full compliment of officers and committee were returned. In the Financial report the Clubs development fund saw another large decrease in debt. This added to the feel good factor as the benefits of the substantial developments of the hurling Wall, Tractor Shed, Clubhouse extension and land purchase in recent years are all bearing fruit. Missing from the meeting for the first time ever was the outgoing club PRO Jimmy Walsh. Meeting report to follow in a later edition.
IN THE PIPELINE: With the hall painting project completed, work on rejuvenating the surface of its floor has been discussed as the next doable high impact task. Under the health and safety banner the need for the provision of a sensor light to illuminate the steps at its entrance has been highlighted. The actions are some of a series from the new Parish "Planning for the Future Group" that is down for completion before the New Year. It includes a "Cup of Tea" in the Parochial House after Christmas morning mass, the widening of the narrow entrance and the poor visibility exit to the church Car Park and the launching of a Parish Website. The tidying up though some minor landscaping around the Hall with the removal of the large rocks and their replacement with a neat and tidy fence is to be added to the agenda of the next meeting of the group which takes place on January 15th.
HURLEYS FOR BALLYHALE: As the master of ceremonies Noel Smith wound down the Parish Bazaar in the hall on Sunday afternoon the final spin of the wheel of fortune saw Sinead Phelan from Ballyhale win three hurley's with one of which was an ornamental key hanger. Accompanied by her grandmother Maureen Foran the eighteen inch hurley's created by transition year student Niall Walsh in Lamogue were destined for the Shamrocks stronghold where her brothers Keith and Connor are members of the hurling club. The most successful day that was totally put together and run by volunteers saw great demand for hams and Christmas cakes on the newly upgraded wheel whilst lesser items in the current climate were a harder sell. Elsewhere all of the stalls and raffles did a brisk business. After the auction of firewood and calf nuts Fr. Nicholas Flavin PP who was attending his first bazaar brought the day's activities to a close. In his short few words he thanked all of the workers and supporters for their efforts for the parish. On the day there was unanimous appreciation of the comfortable look and feel to the hall where the new bright warm colours gave a warm feel to the gathering.
DEFIBRILLATOR LOCATIONS: The first of the defibrillators has been installed at the community centre in Tullahought. Elsewhere work continues at the installations at the School and parochial house. If required the two in the Windgap area are available in the residences of John, Katrina, Cian Ryan, and Windgap. John (087-6576045), Katrina (087-9289718) and Cian (087-2969573). John, Miriam Barron, Butlerswood 051-648949 and Miriam (087-7773233).
YEAR BOOK: The Kilkenny GAA Year Book celebrating the year's success and activities at club and county level has hit the bookshelves. Packed with photos and articles, it includes sections on the local Hurling and Camogie clubs with the handball players and many other supporters and former players appearing throughout it.
BRIDGE: The weekly Bridge game takes place in The Olde House Killamery on Monday evenings.
CLUB NEWS: This Weeks Winning Lotto Numbers were 15, 19, 20, 27 and Bonus number 28. Next Weeks Prize fund is €9,150. The Mice Race night takes place on January 12th in Tullahought. To purchase a runner for the event contacts any club or committee member.
CHRISTMAS MARKET: The market will take place in The old Co-Op (beside Café Larche), Green St. Callan on Tuesday, December 18th and Wednesday, December 19th from 10am – 6pm. Produce on offer: Cakes, Breads, Eggs, Handcrafted Cards, Calendars, Hair Fascinators, Turned & Sculpted Wood, Knitted and embroidered gifts & lots more. All are welcome to come along, have a browse or buy some locally produced products. If you would like to have your own stand, insurance & HSE cert is a requirement. To host a stand, the cost is €5. For more information, contact 056 77 55519 ext 1
NOTES: Contributors and Clubs are invited to email items for publication with a name and contact number to windgapnotes@gmail.com by Sunday evenings at 6pm