For those who may be interested, we have received a copy of Fingal County Council’s Tree Strategy: The Forest of Fingal – A Tree Strategy for Fingal. Note that this is the final document even though it says ‘draft’.
Author Archives: admin
Online volunteering opportunity
SCA have prepared draft policy documents on:
The draft documents have been prepared by members of Skerries Community Association using online guidance from a number of government Departments and agencies but without input from persons with expertise in the areas involved. Before adopting them as official SCA policies the Board of Directors would like to have the documents reviewed by a person or persons with relevant expertise who could give constructive suggestions to improve the drafts.
If you have expertise in any of the three areas and would like to review one or more of the documents please email: secretary@skerriesca.com indicating which document you would like to review. This can then be forwarded to you in an editable format such as a Word document.
SCA wishes to adopt the documents at their next AGM in September and would be happy to acknowledge the contribution of the reviewer(s) who contributes to improving the documents.
Community Orchestra extra auditions – July 6th
By popular demand, there will be additional auditions for the Community Orchestra held at Keys and Strings, Skerries, on Thursday, 6th July, from 11am at Keys & Strings School of Music, Skerries. To book your audition time, call Jing at 087 2264357
Community Orchestra auditions
Soundwaves are looking for young people (post-Primary level) to join a Community Orchestra. Open to all instruments except Piano. Minimum of Grade 2 instrument level is required.
Auditions will be held on Sunday, 18th June, at Keys & Strings School of Music, Skerries. To book your audition time, call Jing at 087 2264357.
Backfilling of Milverton Quarry to Commence
Roadstone Limited has recently informed Skerries Community Association that extraction and backfilling operations at Milverton Quarry, which ceased operations in 2009, will commence around end April 2017.
Roadstone will import 1,900,000 tonnes of material into the quarry, at up to 400,000 tonnes per year. At their estimated average of 250,000 tonnes per year, this could mean 20-tonne trucks on our roads six days a week from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m for more than seven years. Some rock extraction — some trucks also leaving the quarry full — will occur as well.
Should the SCA convene a public meeting where SCA members and, indeed, all Skerries residents would be able to share their views and to look for meaningful answers and action from Fingal County Council and Roadstone? Give us your views at traffic@skerriesca.com.
Aerial view of Milverton Quarry. Photography by Mark Broderick.ie.
Continue reading
Age Friendly Skerries at 2017 Pride of Place competition launch
At the launch of Fingal County Council’s 2017 Pride of Place Competition, Nunce McAuley, Martin Russell and Brendan Sherlock representing Age Friendly Skerries accepted a certificate in recognition of the Skerries Age Friendly Town Initiative entry advancing to the 2016 finals.
Receiving certificate for representing Fingal in the 2016 Pride of Place finals
The event took place in The Atrium, County Hall, Swords on Tuesday, February 28th. At the event, all three groups who represented Fingal in the 2016 Pride of Place Competition were recognised for their great achievements.
Raif Costigan of Fingal County Council was MC for the evening and introduced the Mayor of Fingal Darragh Butler, Tom Dowling of Pride of Place Ireland and Paul Reid CEO Fingal County Council who spoke and congratulated all three groups who represented Fingal in the 2016 finals at the Belfast Waterfront last November.
Next up came presentations to the three groups in recognition of participating and representing Fingal. All three groups were invited to say a few words as to their experience of having participated in Pride of Place 2016. Each group were photographed and then group shots were taken.
The Tower singers entertained and refreshments were much appreciated to round off a very enjoyable evening.
Many thanks to all who organised a very pleasant evening
Community Liaision Committee March 2014
Sitting down on Strand Street
Thanks to the efforts of some dedicated Skerries residents, who collected over 1000 signatures in favour of seating on Strand Street, Fingal County Council has agreed to pilot two benches on Strand Street. They will be located in the area to the south of the bus stop between the bus stop and Gerrys Supermarket. The pictures show f the proposed style of bench.
Skerries bathing water quality figures
The Council recently released the attached figures on bathing water quality in Skerries last summer (2013). They were very good indeed. The reasons for this were improvements in the water treatment infrastructure and the very low rainfall levels.
Unfortunately, several years of good readings are needed before we will qualify for a Blue Flag again so although the Council has applied for one, it is very unlikely that Skerries will be awarded it this year. However, we are going to run our Skerries Water Quality project again this summer taking samples of seawater during the bathing season which the Council will have tested immediately, providing more timely information which we will then publicise. If you would like to volunteer as a water tester, please contact us on info@skerriesca.com
Water quality figures for 2012 and 2013:
Click to enlarge
Cycling restrictions on South Strand pathway
The South Strand pathway is not currently wide enough to safely accommodate cyclists and pedestrians. In order to address this problem, the Council has decided to apply for funding to widen the pathway to 3.5 metres, the required width for safe shared use. In the meantime cycling will be restricted to small children who are learning to cycle. Signage to this effect will appear soon. Click on this link to see a note prepared by FCC for the Skerries Community Liaison Committee recently:
Skerries skatepark
Thanks to the lobbying efforts of the Skerries skate park committee, the Council is enthusiastic about building a skatepark in the town. A probable location is next to the playground on Red Island. The next challenge will be to source the required funding which is in the region of 165k euro.
Springboards (Springers) repairs
The Council has committed to repairing the damage caused by this winter’s storms in time for the summer bathing season.
Events for Senior Citizens in the Fingal Area
Fingal CoCo Community Liaison provided this information:
The following events will take place over the coming months for Senior Citizens in the Fingal Area.
- 16th April – Seniors Olympics in the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown 10am – 2.00 with a presentation/certificate of participation.
- 20th May – AGM – Fingal Senior Citizens Forum / Information conference, “Feed the Brain & Feed the Body” this will take place in the Emmaus Centre start time 9.15 until 2.pm – places are limited so please book your place early. Main guest speaker this year is Dr. Kate Irvine – DCU on Dementia and how to keep your brain Healthy.
- 29th May Memory Makers – Carlton Hotel near Dublin Airport. Application forms available soon, please prepare your exhibit now in order to be ready nice nibbles, music and prizes for 1st 2nd etc., promises to be a great evening starting at 6.30 until 10.00 approx. Intrigued? Ask Fingal County Council for information!
- Nordic Walking – Fingal County Council sports department will be in contact with groups in the area if they show interest a walk will be arranged for them
- Aqua Fit lessons – we are awaiting confirmation from the Aquatic Centre regarding availability of pool
- September – ITB Health Fitness and Wellbeing course starting first week in September and runs through to December with a graduation for seniors the 17/18th December / Party.
- Fingal Seniors Afternoon Tea Dances – are being planned for June and November – more information to follow
- Fingal Seniors Information Seminar – November title and venue to be planned – more information to follow.
The Community Officer dealing with events for Senior Citizens is:
Louise Edmonds
Senior Community OfficerArea-West Fingal and Swords
Email: louise.edmonds@fingal.ie
Telephone: (01) 8704488
The Community Officers with Fingal County Council for our area are:
Valerie McAllorum Byrne
Community OfficerArea – East Fingal & North Fingal
Email: valerie.mcallorumbyrne@fingal.ie
Telephone: (01) 8905106
Eugene Moore
Senior Community Officer
Area: East Fingal & North Fingal
Email: eugene.moore@fingal.ie
Telephone: (01) 8905085