Ballinasloe Active Retirement goes to Europe!

Douglas Rafter and Jane Tracy attending a seminar on “Volunteering of the Older Persons and the role of Public Policies” in Brussels.

This seminar was part of programme being developed by Marian Harkin. M.E.P. Marian is co-founder and co-President of the Parliament Interest Group on Volunteering.
This was a crucial concrete first step taken by the European Commission that will bring volunteering into the EU policy arena to recognise,value and support over 100 million volunteers across the EU
Marian Harkin along with four other MEPs from Germany, Greece,Poland and Portugal launched a Written Declaration calling on the European Commision to announce 2011 as the European Year on Volunteering.
The European Year of Volunteering will compliment and provide a structured link to 2012 as the European Year on Active Aging and Intergenerational Solidarity.

Experience the Joys of Social Walking!

Walking has long been recognised as the healthiest and most efficient method of exercise that humans can indulge in.
During these dark days of belt-tightening and fiscal rectitude we can also add “excellent value for money”!
The Ballinasloe Active Retirement Walking and Exercise Club have been enjoying walking and physical exercises now for up to two years. Each Tuesday at 10.30 sharp they gather at venues in and around Ballinasloe and spend 30 – 40 minutes in enjoyable walking followed by light stretching and joint exercises.
Under the watchful eye of coordinator, Jimmy Lyons, and led by two trained instructors, the sessions have proved to be enjoyable and beneficial to all concerned. They conclude with a well earned tea/coffee, biscuits and chat. The sessions form a healthy as well as an important social occasion.
Padraig Pearse’s Club in Woodmount generously allow us the use of their complex and walking track free of charge for which we are very grateful.
We also visit many other walking sites throughout the year.
As our motto in the Association is “stay active,stay healthy” come along and join us at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday mornings. You will enjoy the experience!
For further information contact 090-9642531 or 9683614

Ballinasloe Active Retirement Holds its 7th AGM!

There was a very large attendance at the seventh A.G.M of the Ballinasloe Active Retirement Association which was held in the Gael Scoil on Wednesday January 21st 2009.

Chairperson's Address

The outgoing Chairman, Jimmy Crehan (photo on left) , in his address, stated the importance of health and social aspects, of making new friendships , helping each other and generally improving the quality of life.

Secretary's Report

The Secretary, Margaret McDonnell, reported on the year’s many activities. She further thanked Fr. McInerney, the Gael Scoil and particularly our Chairman for all his work for the association since it was formed in 2002.

2008- An Action Packed Year!

Chris O’Flynn, Secretary of the Social Committee gave a comprehensive account of an action-packed year which included day trips, holidays, horse-racing and Theatre outings. The highlight of the year was a glorious Mediterranean Cruise which left 54 members with many happy memories of their visits to far away places.
She said there were lots of exciting events in the pipeline for the year ahead.

Committee 2009

The following Officers were elected:
Chairman: Gabriel Rohan
Vice Chairman: John Boland
Secretary; Margaret McDonnell
Asst. Secretary: Kaye Killeen
Treasurer: Douglas Rafter
Asst. Treasurer: Ollie Hanniffy
P.R.O.: Chris O’Flynn
Committee members: Sean Carrig, Bridie Loughman, Mary Fallon, Una O’Reilly, Celia McCafferty, Nicholas Power.

The next meeting will be held in the Gael Scoil, Ard Mhuire,on Wed. 4th February @ 3p.m. New members welcome

Time Table

Knitting Blankets for Belarus

Every Monday morning, about 1 2 dedicated members of Ballinasloe Active Retirement get together in Gullane’s Hotel for a very good cause.
Here the knitting group happily spend a few hours chatting away while busily “clicking” away on their knitting needles.
The result of their year’s work was on display in the Gael Scoil on Dec. 3rd ’08. Margaret McDonnell (Sec.) presented, on behalf of the group, the most beautiful collection of colourful blankets and toys to Mr. Pat Dillon for the benefit of the Orphanages in Belarus.
Mr Dillon expressed his gratitude to these very talented ladies for all their wonderful work.
Well done to all these industrious ladies for your very charitable work!
If you find any spare balls of wool and a pair of knitting needles around the house, please come along and join them.Chris O’Flynn.

Don't Mug My Granny!

Two teenage girls held the home-made placard aloft, as high as they could reach.
The message, in black paint, a little bit uneven, told that they had come in support of their Gran’s protest against the Government’s action in withdrawing the automatic right of people over 70 to a full medical card.
Joining their Gran outside Leinster House was a coach load from Ballinasloe Active Retirement. Our bus had left the Square at 8.30 that morning. We were all determined to show that entitlements, which we had built up over years of contributing to the national coffers, could not be taken away.
When we stopped at the Lucan Spa hotel, the management shared our view. For just two euros each we enjoyed a lovely breakfast. That kept us going and gave us the energy to cheer and applaud.
All of Kildare Street in front of Leinster House was full of people. The crowd extended down behind, making an island of the platform in the midst of pensioners from all parts of the country.
The atmosphere was relaxed , friendly but meaningful .Although the Minister had rowed back on his budget proposals, this was to show that pensioners still had a value. Ni neart go cur le ceile

The Algarve

41 members of the Ballinasloe Active Retirement had a wonderful holiday in the Algarve from the 9th to the 19th September 2007. We stayed in the luxurious Villamoura Hotel which was located practically on the beachfront. The weather, the food, the entertainment and the "craic" were second to none. There was something different for everyone. Some went on day trips to the nearest towns, while the "markets" for the bargain hunters were ever popular. 5 members did the praying for the rest of us in Fatima where they stayed overnight. It was a wonderful opportunity to visit this famous shrine and were full of the joys of life on their return.
It was difficult to leave the lovely sunshine and return to the rain and cold at Dublin Airport.
However,we are now bronzed and rested, and ready to face the winter again. We are looking forward to our next break which will be next May - our Cruise on the Med.
Chris O'Flynn