All About Cork: Tidy Towns volunteers up their game during concerts

Volunteers from Ballyphehane Tidy Towns have gone into overdrive this summer, ensuring the area is looking its very best.

The organisation, founded by activist and volunteer Konrad Im, has been extra busy of late, making sure Ballyphehane looks its best for the series of concerts at Virgin Media Park, formerly Musgrave Park.

In recent days, volunteers from Ballyphehane Tidy Towns were out and about collecting litter before, during and after the concerts, and encouraging everyone attending the series to keep the locality looking tidy.

They also installed new markings and games in Tory Top Park and Pearse Square and, despite a very busy schedule, even had time to try some of them out.

A spokesperson for Ballyphehane Tidy Towns said:

“We're in overdrive while the good weather is with us. One project completed this week is the installation of new markings and games in Tory Top Park and Pearse Square.

“Led by our committee member and volunteer Eilis, supported by Cork City Council, Cork City Parks Sport and Recreation and funded by Cork Sports Partnership’s 'Cork City Physical Activity Amenity Scheme 2024', this project is a great example of collaboration between the community and local agencies.

“This project includes the installation of active trails, walking distance markings, and fun games that aim to make the park and playground more fun and accessible to all while encouraging physical activity.

“We're also excited to bring a bit of fun to Pearse Square with outdoor Twister and Hopscotch.

“Be sure to get out and enjoy it all,” they advised.

Just days later, volunteers from Ballyphehane Tidy Towns took their own advice and tried out the new games while out on a litter pick.

“The work never stops,” the spokesperson added.

“We had a busy Saturday in the Hane, picking litter, tending to our planters in Pearse Square and spotting some life in the Bee Lodge in the Park  “We, of course, had to take a break and test out the new additions to Pearse Square.”

New school crest for new era

A local secondary school has unveiled its new school uniform and crest ahead of a new era.

Last year, Presentation Secondary School Ballyphehane announced plans to welcome boys to the school for the first time from September 2024.

To celebrate the new era, the local school has revealed its new crest and new uniform.

In a statement on social media, the school revealed the new uniform, stating:

“After consultation with teachers, parents and our amazing students, we have designed our uniforms and crests collectively to represent this new chapter in our school’s history.

“The uniform and PE uniform will be available to purchase from Mick Murphy’s on North Main Street. More details to follow!”

Ballyphehane ‘buzzing’

Ballyphehane and the surrounding area has been “buzzing” in recent days as Virgin Media Park welcomed a host of musical talent to the area for a series of concerts.

Sting, Shania Twain and Take That, to name just a few, have all taken to the stage at the former Musgrave Park in recent days.

In a statement, Ballyphehane Tidy Towns said: “We have had a busy few days working alongside MCD Productions.

“Must say hats off to the MCD team for their work putting all this together.

“It’s great seeing Ballyphehane buzzing with life and activity.”

Dogs for the Disabled seek volunteer households

A charity that trains dogs to assist disabled children and adults is seeking volunteer households in Cork.

Dogs for the Disabled is a pioneering charity established in 2007.

Based in Togher, the charity trains specially bred dogs to assist disabled children and adults to help them achieve greater independence in their lives.

The charity ethically breeds and trains golden retrievers, labradors and standard poodles for specific physical disabilities.

They also run an extremely successful mobility dog programme, the only one of its kind currently running in Europe.

In recent days, Dogs for the Disabled has called for urgent overnight and/or weekend homes in the Cork area to take in some of their dogs in training.

In a statement, the local charity said: “We’re looking for some urgent overnight/weekend homes in the Cork area for some of our training dogs from this weekend, as we’ve loads of our regular volunteers on holidays.

“Please get in touch ASAP if you can help. Call us now at 021 4316627 or email info@dogsfordisabled.ie.”

Dogs for the Disabled’s trained dogs have had a life-changing impact on hundreds of families across the country.

Their dogs are trained to help owners with a range of everyday tasks.

Meanwhile, the charity’s mobility dog programme supports children with conditions like cerebral palsy or ataxia who have difficulty walking.

Many of the charity’s dogs also go on to become therapy dogs to help patients and staff at hospitals in the region.

Togher Tidy Towns call on locals to adopt a planter

A Tidy Towns group has called for local businesses and people to adopt a planter this summer.

Togher Tidy Towns is asking local people and businesses to adopt a planter and water it for the summer season, to help volunteers as judging for the national tidy towns competition gets underway.

In a statement, the local group said: “We desperately need your help.

“Can you or your business adopt a planter to do nothing except water it for the summer? With so much to do we can only water all planters once a week.

“Twelve of our planters are supported by Pouladuff Post Office, Stalks & Stems, Irwin’s Pharmacy and two residents and that contribution to our community is greatly appreciated.

“If you can throw a hose over your garden wall or add a bucket of water please contact us,” the group added.

For more information or to get in touch, check out Togher Tidy Towns on Facebook.

Have Ballyphehane news to share? Contact Darragh.bermingham@theecho.ie