10th August, 2000
Notice Board

PHONE BILLS

Eircom
Options 30 and options 50
You must commit to a minimum monthly call spend of £30 or £50, respectively, to get lower call charges than with some of Eircom's normal rates. You also get some free local call credits, and benefits such as optional free call answering (message service).
Remember, the minimum spend is for calls only - line rental is not included. You can choose to he billed monthly or bimonthly with free itemised billing on request. Eircom says that it is currently writing to all its eligible customers about Options 30 and 50.
Options World Select
For international calls, 'Options World Select' offers 25% off all calls to one Country with Options 30, and 35% off all calls to one country with Options 50. Options World is for consumers who make international calls to several countries; I5% reduction with Options 30 and 25% with Options 50.
Circle of friends
This gives a 10% reduction on calls you make to five phone numbers of your choice. It cannot be used with any other Eircom discount scheme.

Esat Clear
Consumers who spend at least £5 on international calls on any one bill automatically' receive a 15% discount on all international calls on that bill.

Ocean
Small World Discount
Cuts the cost on three phone numbers of your choice. You get 15% off the first number you choose and 10% off the second two numbers.
High call spend
Other discount schemes are for consumers with an extremely high call spend. For example, if you spend between £75 and £299 a month on calls, you get a 7% discount. This does not apply to local calls.

Spirit
A special rate of Ip per minute for local and national calls, with no minimum call charge, applies from 7pm on Saturday to 8am on Sunday and from 7pm on Sunday to 8 am on Monday'.

Swiftcall
Free bonus credit is available based On the amount of money you open or top-up your prepaid account with. The most basic bonuses are £1 free with £50,£2 free with £75 and £4 free with £100.Once consumers have reached a certain level of spending, Swiftcall says they can join its loyalty programme which gives larger discounts and special offers.

Switchcom
Discounts are available for new customers opening prepaid accounts:
£30 £5 discount / £50 £10 discount / £100 £25 discount.
Next week we compare a sample bill and look at the options

HELP FOR OLDER PEOPLE

Cllr.Deirdre Forde today welcomed £2m. Initiative for Older People as announced by the Minister for State at the Department of Health and Children. This Initiative will provide aids and appliances to older people in their homes.
The type of aids and appliances, which will be made available, include walking sticks and frames, wheelchairs, commodes, bed rests, special beds and incontinence wear. Bath/toilet seats and stair rails, bed hoists and rails, support frames for chairs and beds and non-slip mats would also be covered.
Arrangements for the implementation of this initiative are being worked out with the health boards. The provision of such medical and other appliances and aids can be an essential element in helping people to remain at home and in assisting them to cope better following a stay in hospital.
It is important that the Southern Health Board ensure the delivery of these aids to the people who are most urgently in need of them as quickly as possible concludes Cllr. Forde.

THE DOUGLAS LINEN INDUSTRY

Taken from the History of Douglas by Con Foley.
When the establishment of Douglas as an industrial village is discusses, the Besnards are, (almost) invariably mentioned to the exclusion of all others. It is true that the Besnard family had the longest connection with the linen industry, which they were the first in Ireland to operate power-driven spindles, and that they had the Dutch expertise in sail making. There are others also connected with Douglas, whose names are hardly known. There was the firm of Perry and Carleton, then the firm of Daniel and Elias Perdrian (variously spelt Perdriau, Perdriaw, Perdriaux), and later a partnership between the Perdrian Bros. and Mr. Justice (Julius) Besnard. Again, the Perrys were connected to the Perdrians by marriage; the Perdrians and Bresnans were Huguenots and attended service at French Church Street in Cork City. The town office of Perry and Carleton was in Perry Street, Cork, the Perdrians were in Drawbridge Street, just around the corner, one might say, while the Besnard office was in Lavitts Quay, all within a stone's throw of each other. Later, there is a mention of the office of Besnard and Herrick in Perry Street; all connected with the same industry. These four families, the Perrys, Carletons, the Perdrians and the Besnards were all, in their time, prominently connected with municipal affairs. In 1963, we find (H)0sea Perdrian was admitted freeman of Cork City;
He was, probably, the father of Daniel and Elias. Daniel Perdrian was Sheriff in 1704 and Mayor in 1712 and married Mary Frannot in 1716. In the same year, it was ordered that "Alderman Perdrian take possession of the Castle of Blackrock, and the land thereto belonging, in trust for the Corporation at sixpence per annum". In 1719 he was governor of the Blue Coat School in Cork, and one of the petitioners in a request sent by the Corporation to the Duke of Bolton that the City Walls, which had suffered in the wars of 1689-90 might be rebuilt. His son (Daniel also) seems to have removed to Cashel, but other members of the family remained in Cork and carried on trade as jewellers. In an address presented by the merchants of Cork on March 20, 1754, to the Duke of Dorset, the name Daniel Perdrian is mentioned.
The connection between the Perrys and Perdriansis found in the marriage of (H) Osea Perdrian and Hanna Perry in 1683. Jonathan Perry was High Sheriff of Cork in 1671, Charles Perry in 1816, Samuel Perry Jnr. in 1828 and Charles Perry in 1833.

BARNEY & FRIENDS SHOW

Worldwide children's favourite Barney the Dinosaur will be joined by, a whole load of friends in a super live stage show at the Rochestown Park Hotel.
After a hugely successful summer tour last year Barney's new Summer Party show embarks on another Irish tour this year, bringing all your children's favourite characters live on stage in a supper funfilled Singalong, clapalong spectacular. Joining Barney on stage will be his old friends the TelleTubbies along the Rug-Rats, Mickey & Minnie Mouse, Denis the Menace and Pokémon favourite Pikachu.
The show will be compered by Ireland's No. I children's entertainer/ magician Tony Baloney.
This show has been packing theatres country wide, thrilling children with its combination of top quality characters, high production values and sheer colourful entertainment.
Although Barney is the star, but there is something in the show for children of all ages co-ordinated by Tony Baloney with a display of fun filled magic tricks. All of this for just £4.
Primetime Leisure, Dublin - Ireland's top family entertainment company, produces this super kiddies show. "It's great to be involved in something that gives children such a good time, it's wonderful to see the look on their faces as their heroes appear live on stage before their eyes". Said a spokesman.
So, don't forget Mums and Dads, bring along your camera to capture that magic moment forever.
The show commences at 5.00pm. Tickets are available at Laser Discs or at the entrance to the Estuary Room in the Rochestown Park Hotel half an hour before the show. Alternatively you can ring 01 2961070. As this promises to be a sell out show we would strongly advise parents to get their tickets from Laser Discs as soon as possible

IS ELVIS PRESLEY ALIVE?

There are many reasons to believe that Elvis Presley is dead. When the only arguments to believe otherwise come from crazed fans and supermarket tabloids, it is easy to dismiss the possibility that the King is still among us. However, the circumstances surrounding Elvis's alleged death are quite mysterious and beg closer attention. As it turns out, there are many concrete reasons to believe that the King is still alive.

The Gravesite.
For Starters, Elvis's name is spelled wrong on his headstone. Elvis's full name is Elvis Aron Presley, but on his grave his middle name is spelled incorrectly with two a's. His father would not have let this happen. When Elvis was born, his name was misspelled on his birth certificate, and his father went to great lengths to get the error corrected. The unique spelling of Elvis's name was important to the Presley family.
Elvis's current "resting place" is in between his father and his grandmother and not next to his mother where he had adamantly requested. It is doubtful that the people close to him would allow these things to happen. Elvis is a superstitious man - enough so that he wouldn't tempt fate by putting his real name on a tombstone, or violate the ground next to his mother until he was ready to be placed there for good.

Death Certificate.
Elvis was very vain, and he was embarrassed about his recent weight gain - an astonishing 50 pounds in the month before his so-called death. Even though he weighed about 250 pounds at the time of his "death," his death certificate lists him at a spry 170 pounds. The original death certificate disappeared, and the current death certificate is dated two months after his alleged death.

The Wax Body Theory.
This argument is very convincing when the facts are considered. Elvis's coffin required several pallbearers because it weighed 900 pounds. Attendants of the funeral reported that the air around the coffin was rather cool. It is suspected that the coffin contained an air conditioning unit to keep a wax body cool - a wax body that was a replica of the King designed to fool funeral-goers. And how did the Presley family get a 900-pound, custom-made coffin ready for a funeral that was held on the day after his death? It takes a lot of time to build such an elaborate coffin.
And why have the funeral so quickly? Some speculate that the immediacy was intended to make it as difficult as possible for the people who were Elvis's biggest fans (heads of fan clubs, etc.) to attend the proceedings. It could be a concern that they might recognise the flaws in the wax replica.
Elvis was an 8th degree black belt whose hands were rough with calluses, yet the body in the coffin had hands that were soft and pudgy. The body in the coffin had a pug nose and arched eyebrows (unlike Elvis) and most importantly, one of the sideburns on the "corpse" was loose and falling off. A hairdresser later reported gluing the sideburn back on the body.
Unusual Behaviour.
Two hours after Elvis's death was announced publicly, a man who reportedly looked remarkably like Elvis purchased a ticket for Buenos Aires, paid in cash, and used the name John Burrows: the same name Elvis had used as an alias several times before.
Elvis had a few books that were considered to be his most prized possessions. He had a bible, several pharmaceutical books, books on death, and most importantly Chiro's Book of Numbers and The Autobiography of Yogi which we will explain more about later. After Elvis's death was announced, these books disappeared and were never recovered.


We will continue with our Elvis investigation next week, in the meantime have any of our readers any comments? .

COPING WITH ANXIETY

by Declan Cronin of the Apex Clinic, Douglas.

Question: Four years ago I was diagnosed to be suffering from anxiety
attacks. I am thirty-two years of age and over the last few years I've been for numerous tests. My doctor says that I have nothing to worry about and that most people will suffer from anxiety attacks at some stage in there lives, but I still find myself preoccupied with thoughts that I might faint or panic in a social situation and behave in a totally embarrassing way. Sometimes I feel the pains in my chest and the laboured breathing to be almost unbearable and even while sleeping I can wake up in a cold sweat gasping for air. Since the onset of the panic attacks my whole life has been totally turned upside down. I can't go anywhere without thinking and worrying if I'll he all right today. It has come to the stage where I'm almost afraid to go out which is a huge change in my personality as in the past I was very active and outgoing. Even though I can't afford it. I am considering the option of giving up work because recently I had a full-blown anxiety attack in front of one of the customers. I would like to know if there are other avenues that I could try which would help me overcome the anxiety attacks before I make the decision to hand in my notice. Keep up the good work Edith.

Answer: It is very important for you to understand that the reason you were sent for various tests is because anxiety attacks can mimic the symptoms of other conditions and therefor your doctor was simply ruling out these possibilities. As I stated last week some people go so far as to give up work only to find that their symptoms have not abated in the slightest. It is also important that you understand that stress and worry can make your symptoms seem even worse and so you should start by accepting that you have the condition and then take positive steps to alleviate your symptoms. There are various therapies available including medical, complementary, psychological, group therapy etc. Your doctor could advise you but you should also do some research yourself. Psychotherapy has been proven to be very successful in alleviating the symptoms of anxiety attacks and so you should go to a therapist that has been recommended by someone you trust.
More next week.

SWITCH

Switch are the latest group, comprising of three young West Cork ladies from the Bandon and Inishannon area, to have won the ESAT DIGIFONE HEADSTART Competition. Catherine Foley, Denise Goggin and Joanne Coughlan have been best friends since childhood. They beat off stiff competition against seven of Irelands hottest new bands at the final in Vicars Street, Dublin. The event was headlined by Ireland's No.1 pop sensation Samantha Mumba with 2FM's Shane O'Donaghue as compere. "Switch" were selected by a prestigious panel who included Louis Walsh, ESAT Marketing Director, Derek Handley, 2FM Programming Manager, Liam Thomson, Ritchie Taylor of The Sun, Colm O'Hare Hot Press and Janet Kingston of Warner Music.
The overall prize is valued at £15,000 and includes a recording contract with Warner Music. The girls summarise their music as a combination of rock, pop and traditional styles. Their influences include The Corrs, The Cranberries, Christy Moore and The Indigo Girls.
Catherine, Denise and Joanne are currently studying music at UL and have been playing Limerick and West Cork, building up both an excellent reputation and strong following.
In recognition of their achievement LASER DISCS, Douglas and The Douglas Village Shopping Centre, in conjunction with KIERAN GOSS, who will be performing in the centre to promote his newly released single "Moment's In Time" taken from the number one selling album RED LETTER DAY, will be presenting the girls from SWITCH with a gift to commemorate their winning in Dublin.
The group has a packed schedule of performances lined up through Out West Cork in the next four weeks so you will have an opportunity to hear them for yourselves. Again everybody in LASER DISCS, DOUGLAS, and The Douglas village Shopping Centre would like to wish all the girls in "SWITCH" the very best of success in the future and will support them on their journey.
You can see both "KIERAN GOSS" and "SWITCH" perform live at DOUGLAS VILLAGE SHOPPING Centre this FRIDAY the 11th AUGUST from 6.3OPM, where KIERAN will perform his new single and give a presentation to "Switch”

AMAZING GRACE part 2

He decided to become a minister and applied to the Archbishop of York for ordination. The Archbishop refused his request, but Newton persisted in his goal, and he was subsequently ordained by the Bishop of Lincoln and accepted the curacy of Olney, Buckinghamshire. Newton's church became so crowded during services that it had to be enlarged. He preached not only in Olney but in other parts of the country. In 1767 the poet William Cowper settled at Olney, and he and Newton became friends.
Cowper helped Newton with his religious services and on his tours to other places. They held not only a regular weekly church service but also began a series of weekly prayer meetings, for which their goal was to write a new hymn for each one. They collaborated on several editions of Olney Hymns, which achieved lasting popularity. The first edition, published in 1779, contained 68 pieces by Cowper and 280 by Newton.
Among Newton's contributions which are still loved and sung today are "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds" and "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken," as well as "Amazing Grace." Composed probably between 1760 and 1770 in Olney, "Amazing Grace" was possibly one of the hymns written for a weekly service. Through the years other writers have composed additional verses to the hymn which came to be known as "Amazing Grace" (it was not thus entitled in Olney Hymns), and possibly verses from other Newton hymns have been added. However, these are the six stanzas that appeared, with minor spelling variations, in both the first edition in 1779 and the 1808 edition, the one nearest the date of Newton's death. It appeared under the heading Faith's Review and Expectation, along with a reference to First Chronicles, chapter 17, verses 16 and 17.

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav'd a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev'd;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ'd!

Thro' many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promis'd good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call'd me here below,
Will be forever mine.

The origin of the melody is unknown. Most hymnals attribute it to an early American folk melody. The Bill Moyers special on "Amazing Grace" speculated that it may have originated as the tune of a song the slaves sang.
Newton was not only a prolific hymn writer but also kept extensive journals and wrote many letters. Historians accredit his journals and letters for much of what is known today about the eighteenth century slave trade. In Cardiphonia, or the Utterance of the Heart, a series of devotional letters, he aligned himself with the Evangelical revival, reflecting the sentiments of his friend John Wesley and Methodism.
In 1780 Newton left Olney to become rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, St. Mary Woolchurch, in London. There he drew large congregations and influenced many, among them William Wilberforce, who would one day become a leader in the campaign for the abolition of slavery. Newton continued to preach until the last year of life, although he was blind by that time. He died in London December 21, 1807. Infidel and libertine turned minister in the Church of England, he was secure in his faith that amazing grace would lead him home.

RTE - WRONG AGAIN!

Up until about two years ago a Japanese family lived in the Shamrock Lawn area of Douglas, they have since returned to their hometown in Japan - Hiroshima. At the time Christi Moore had a song out called Hiroshima, which he pronounced Hiro - Shima. But the BBC always referred to it as Hir -Osh - Ima. So we asked our Japanese friends what is the correct pronunciation and they explained that 'Hiro' commonly occurs in Japanese place names the same way that 'Bally' occurs in Irish place names. So the correct pronunciation is Hiro shima. Lately RTE have adopted the incorrect BBC version. What next? Will they call Ballygarvan Bal -Lyg -Arvan ?

ROAD CLOSURE

Monastery Road, which connects the Rochestown Road with the junction at Rochestown College, will be closed from the 12th August to the 31st August. The purpose of this temporary road closure is to facilitate the provision of sewers to Abbotswood Development on the Monastery Road. There are special arrangements for residents. Alternatively those travelling East from the Rochestown Inn can turn right at Glenbrook via Laurel Hill and turn right onto Scotchmans Road and right onto Monastery Road. Going the other way, travelling East from Rochestown College via Monastery Road, turn left onto Scotchmans Road and North via Laurel Hill and North via the Rochestown Road.

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