16th September 1999
The Noticeboard

RETURN OF BARRA O’TUAMA
“OPERA GALA” SERIES

The return of the Barra O’Tuama “Opera Gala” series will open with the “Ford Opera Gala” at the Rochestown Park Hotelon Thursday, 23rd Sept., 1999 at 8.15pm. The cast for the opening of the new season will include the Principal Tenor of the Bolshoi Opera, Badri Maisuradze, the Irish and international soprano, Regina Nathan and the extremely popular Italian baritone, Marzio Giossi. Badri Maisuradze, who is from Georgia, has become Principal Tenor Soloist with the Boishol Opera since 1994 and he has also performed with the Victoria State Opera in Australia, in Barcelona, Canada, New Zealand, Berlin, Madrid and he has recently made his debut at La Scala Milan, under the baton of Rostropovich. He has been singing in all the great operas including La Traviata, Rigoletto, Force of Destiny, Masked Ball, Tosca, Madame Butterfly, Aida, Samson & Delilah and II Trovatore.
Special guests in Cork will be the Carmen String Quartet, whilst accompanist will be the very popular Brenda Hurley, returning from Amsterdam for the special occasion.

CHILD CARE IN HOLLAND

A spokesman for the Royal Netherlands Government tells us that in Holland the main priority of a child-care centre is to follow the pedagogical workplan of the Vill’ABB foundation, and that is to create a homely atmosphere for the children. They feel that centres located in private homes offer such friendly caring environments. Large gardens and sensible toys provide creative play opportunities for children.
The Vill’ABB is open to children age 0 to 4. After school care for children who have been enrolled but have passed the age of four can also be arranged. Each centre tries to be as flexible as possible towards specific needs.
The system works on a quarterly programme, so parents must enroll their child for a minimum of three months at a time. Each day is divided into units of five consecutive hours which are called “Dagdeel” (part of the day). A child may attend up to ten
“Dagdelen” per week. All enrollments must be paid for in advance, but there is a 25% reduction for the second and each consecutive child thereafter.
Because of communication difficulties we were unable to establish who pays for all this, is it just the parent(s), or is there state aid, are there tax allowances, or tax incentives or are there government grants for those in need. However there is a government department called ‘The Foundation for Child-Care’ in the Netherlands, so obviously the Dutch authorities are conscious of their obligations and do have a definite child-care policy.

DOUGLAS LIBRARY

Bewitched & Beguiled by the Blackwater.
On Saurday, 25th September, 1999, we will visit Dromana House, Alison Triggs Craft Centre, Lismore Church, Lismore Castle grounds and Hiritage Centre, including a guided tour and lecture on LIsmore Church, a walking tour of Lismore (with guide), a video show at the Heritage Centre and a tour of Dromana House.
It costs only £25, and this includes evening meal at Lawlors Hotel, Dungarvan, and all tours, lectures and visits to houses. Luch at Dromana House is an extra £5 (or one can bring a packed lunch).
Bus departs from Douglas Library at 9.00am and from the City Library at 9.15am. Contact Ethel Aherne @ Douglas Library, 021-295203, for more details.

GARDENING - PROPAGATION

Propagation - making new plants from seeds, cuttings or divisions - allows you to increase your stock of plants and shrubs without forking out a small fortune. It might not be possible to propagate every kind of plant or tree yourself, so if you are working within a budget, try to raise the easier plants yourself and buy the more difficult ones.
People shy away from propagation because they think special facilities are required or that plants will take a long time to reach a decent size. While greenhouses and special propagrators are handy, you don’t need special equipment to grow your own plants. You don’t even need green fingers as long as you know the basics and are prepared to learn through trial and error. Which can be rewarding when you win. Keep costs down by growing flowers and plants from seed or by buying one plant and then dividing it to create many more plants. For example, if you want to plant a hedge, small individual plants could cost a few pounds each. Instead buy one large plant and take 20 or 30 cuttings from it, and grow them for
little extra cost.
First see what you can get for free. Check your own garden and those of your family, and friends and neighbours to see what seeds and cuttings are available. Also check if these are large healthy plants which can be divided. All you need is; a sharp knife to take cuttings, a rooting hormone to encourage strong healthy rooting systems. A rooting medium to plant cuttings in - you can buy cutting compost or make up your own mix using combinations of compost, peat, grit vermiculite, and sharp sand. Use containers or seed trays for planting. In future articles we’ll look at all these in more detail so don’t put away your gardening gloves just yet.

BRAVEHEART - THE SCOTS ARE COMING

The Bank of Scotland’s recent arrival on the Irish Mortgage market has been the catalyst for intense mortgage interest rate movement amongst our traditional Banks and Building Societies.
Would be homebuyer’s and present homeowners are now in a unique position of being able to greatly benefit from historically low interest rates.
The benefit to the customer is apparent, if you are planning to buy your first home, the affordability of your mortgage payment will now be significantly enhanced, giving the homebuyer even more confidence in buying their new home. For customers considering re-mortgaging, the gains are even greater. Traditionally previous mortgages prior to our deeper involvement in relation to EMU were noticeably higher, post-EMU the dramatic rate reductions have meant there are substantial differences with today’s rates. it is therefore the single best opportunity to consolidate your existing loans or even do much wanted home improvements and RE-MORTGAGE.
Here at the Douglas Mortgage Centre, we have a highly trained and experienced staff ready to independently advise you on your best option. Since we deal with all the leading institutions,
we can offer the best terms. Call in anytime for a chat, after all it is a FREE SERVICE.

MORE ABOUT THE DRIVING TEST

If you have a driving test coming up let’s hope you cut out last weeks article, or took a serious note of it. This week we continue with what you will be asked to do during your driving test.

4. ANTICIPATION / OBSERVATION
- Take proper observation when / moving off / overtaking / changing lane / at cross junctions / at roundabouts / turning right / turning left.
- React correctly to hazards
- Anticipate what others may do.

5. MIRROR(S)
- Use mirror(s) properly and in good time before / signalling / moving off / turning right / turning left / slowing / stopping.

6. SIGNALS
- Give correct signal in good time before / moving off / overtaking / changing lane / at roundabouts / turning right / turning left / slowing / stopping.
- Cancel signal after use.
- Demonstrate handùsignals correctly.
- Do not beckon pedestrians / other road users on the road.

7. RIGHT OF WAY
- Yield right of way as required / moving off / overtaking / changing lane / at junctions / at roundabouts / turning right / turning left.

8. PROGRESS
- Maintain reasonable progress / moving off / on the straight
/ overtaking / at junctions / at roundabouts / turning
right / turning left. Avoid causing obstruction.
- At traffic lights maintain reasonable progress / turning right / turning left. Avoid causing obstruction.

Next week we hope to complete our look at the remainder of the driving tester’s report sheet, so till then stay in lane