REFLECTIONS WHILE COCOONING

Reflections while Cocooning

The present pandemic which has put the whole world in lockdown and all the over 70’s cocooning, made me realise how important my membership of the Active Retirement association is to me. I feel isolated. I miss my family, friends, Grandchildren and my contact with the outside world. I miss my activities, fun and the comraderie of my colleagues in the Active Retirement group.
All our activities and our carefully planned holidays, outings, concerts, plays, indoor and outdoor sports and community work are put on hold. We wait with bated breath and hope and pray the dreaded virus doesn’t darken our door. We fear for our families and friends and all the people bravely working away in the front line. From the safety of our homes we struggle with the fact we cannot invite in or go near the good people who do our shopping and look after our wellbeing, but we do appreciate and thank them. We know it is for our own safety.
While the world is still we have plenty of time to reflect and be grateful for the full and active life we have enjoyed for the past 18 years as members of our Active Retirement. The digital skills and computer courses which we attended enable us now to keep in touch with our friends and the outside world. Communication has never been as necessary as now during this dreadful pandemic. With letter writing a thing of the past and the closing of the local Post office, the small town Banking facilities, the corner grocery stores, not to mention the demise of the local pub. The personal touch and the friendly chat over the garden wall has long gone. The sound of the human voice has been drowned by texting, e-mailing, zooming etc. Hence the importance of the A.R.A in the life of the older person. It provides a place to enjoy a friendly cuppa and chat and to share anxieties with new found friends.
We look forward to the day when this is all over – and hopefully we come through it safely and well – when we can return to our normal daily activities.
We would welcome any new people who may feel lonely or isolated to come and join us any Wednesday in the Library (our temporary home) at 3 pm. All interests are catered for in the various clubs including arts and crafts, walking, singing, book club, bridge and bowls.
Remember that retirement is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of an open highway
Stay safe.
Enquiries to Margaret Brennan , Phone: 0877731707 or Chris O’Flynn (Ph.087 6492466
Visit our website at ballinasloeactiveretirement.com
Chris O’Flynn (P.R.O)
10th May 2020

EASTER

************************************************************

BALLINASLOE ACTIVE RETIREMENT

WISHES ALL ITS MEMBERS A PEACEFUL AND HOLY EASTER

STAY SAFE, STAY WELL, STAY IN TOUCH.

BETTER DAYS AHEAD

************************************************************
Pat Kelly R.I.P. It is with great sadness we say good-bye to one of our members, Pat. Kelly.  Pat was a lovely gentle lady and we will miss her smile and good company in our Active Retirement group. We send our sincere condolences to her family during this very difficult time.
May she rest in peace.



KEEP IN CONTACT

Greetings from our B.A.R.A. Chairperson Margret.                                                                                                 
In these uncertain times please keep in contact with each other and should you need it, keep your EIRCODE close to your phone.    

if,you would like to contact another member and do not know their number please contact                                  

Margret 087 7731 707.                                                                                                                                   ]

Bridie 086 0568 221.                                                                                                                                                
Douglas 086 1972 846. and we will provide same.  
                                                     
                                                         KEEP WELL and  STAY  SAFE.

Annual General Meeting Feb.5th. 2020




Ballinasloe Active Retirement A.G.M 2020

There was a large attendance at the A.G.M of the Active Retirement group which was held in the Library on Wed,Feb.5th 2020
The chairperson, Mgt. Brennan, welcomed everybody especially new members. The Association has been growing from strength to strength and now boasts 230 members.
The Secretary, Deirdre Hogan read the minutes of the last A.G.M followed by a detailed report on the successful activities of the year.
The treasurer, Mary Slattery reported on a healthy Bank balance.
The year 2019 was another successful, action-packed year on the social front.
Phil Kelly, secretary of the Social Club gave a detailed report on all the trips, plays, films and holidays which were well attended and enjoyed by one and all. There was a special thank you to the ever- efficient treasurer, Bridie Whelan for her expert and exact handling of all our finances . She turns over a massive amount of money throughout the year.
Our walking club, said Laura Naughton, were now walking for 12 years!!! The numbers who meet on the track every Tuesday morning at 10.30 were increasing. The exercises which follow the walk help to keep both mind and body healthy
There were good reports also from the Bowls club ,Singing Club and the Book club. New members were invited to join any of these clubs as there is something for everyone, whatever your interest.
The committees were then elected as follows
Chairperson : Mgt. Brennan . Vice Chairperson: Mgt. McDonnell
Secretary: Deirdre Hogan. Asst. Sec. Goretti Fallon
Treasurer :Mary Slattery . Asst. Treasurer: Ml. Colohan
The Social Committee were again elected in block
P.R.O Chris O’Flynn
I.T: Douglas Rafter.    
                                                                 
Deirdre (Sect.)   Margret (Chairperson)  Mary (Treasurer)


 Executive

Maura     Ann     Douglas     Christina
Social  Committee
            Bridie                    Phil           






Chris  P.R.O.






 mmmmm