31st August, 2000
Notice
Board
MOBILE CALL CHARGES
Your Choice
The most basic choice is between contract and non-contract
options.
NON-CONTRACT OPTIONS: These arc available from Eircell (Ready-to-Co)
and Digifone (Speakeasy).
Advantages; No bills. No connection fee. Calls arc paid in
advance. No credit check needed for connection. Easier to control
your spending. Ready-to-Co and Speakeasy are sold in packs
including a phone, some call credit, a battery charger, and
extras. You can top up your account with credit cards, debit
cards (Speakeasy), online, from Bank of Ireland ATMs, and with Go-cards
and Speakeasy cards.
Disadvantages; Call charges are generally higher than with
contract options. You cannot use your phone for roaming (outside
Ireland). You must credit your account regularly, or you may be
disconnected.
EIRCELL'S Ready-to-Go
You can choose Eircell's analogue (088) or digital GSM (087)
network. At daytime and evening hours it is cheaper to call
another Eircell mobile than a fixed line.
Currently, Ready to Go packs cost £79, £99, and £129,
depending on what phone you choose. Packs include a phone,
battery, charger and £30 call credit.
International calls can only be made from the 087 network, to
Europe and North America, and are charged at 80p per minute.
If you do not credit your account within 60 days of your last top
up you cannot make calls, but can receive calls for a further 300
days.
You must credit your account at least every 360 days, or Eircell
may disconnect you. If you own a CSM phone you can connect to the
Ready-to-Co network with a SIM pack (£39). You get £30 of
inclusive call credit, and a new phone number.
DIGIFONE'S Speakeasy
The price of Speakeasy packs also depend on what phone you choose.
If you already have a digital phone, Digicard packs (£39) give
you a new 086 phone number and connection. The tariff options are
Fairly Bird and Night Owl. Early Bird is for consumers who make
most of their calls during the morning, early afternoon and
weekend. Night Owl is for consumers who make most of their calls
during the evening and weekend. You can change from one tariff to
another free once every quarter; after that the charge is £10.
International calls are charged at £1 per minute to Europe, and
£1.50 per minute to the rest Of the world.
If you do not credit your account within 180 days of the expiry
date of your last top up, your account will be set to zero and
any unused credit will he lost. If you arc disconnected,
reconnection Costs £35. Expiry dates depend on how much you
credit your account with. The £10, £20 and £40 cards have 30,
60 and 90 days validity, respectively.
Mobile call cards
These are one way to cut the costs of making certain calls from
prepaid mobiles. For example, Spirit call-cards have a 12p per
minute off-peak and 18p peak rate for mobile calls to fixed lines.
To use the service, you dial Spirit's Freefone 1800 921 111 (which
can he preprogrammed into your phone), enter a PIN provided with
the card, and make your call. Call charges are deducted from the
credit on your Spirit card. Similar cards are availahle from
companies like Celtel, Swiflcall and Switchcom.
CYCLING FOR REHAB
A group of about 20 cyclists who will undertake a gruelling Mizen
to Malin cycle commencing on September 2 and ending on September
5 hope to raise thousands of pounds in the first major fund
raising event held in aid of the new Rehabilitation Hospital for
Munster.
The Minister for Health Micheal Martin has promised that the new
hospital, which will provide services similar to the
Rehabilitation Institute in Dunlaoire in Dublin, will be located
in Cork. It will prove to be a major facility for the region and
will provide considerable relief for patients
and their families who will no longer have to make the long
journey to Dublin.
The cyclists who are raising a minimum of £600 in sponsorship
each are also hoping that the public will respond generously,
particularly in the Cork City and county areas.
While they will be undertaking the long and gruelling 400 miles
trip north, they want the public in this Olympic year to "Carry
The Torch For Rehab" by joining in the cycle for a short
distance at key locations.
Participants are asked to raise a minimum of £25 sponsorship and
to bring it along to the start points on Saturday at Durrus
outside Bantry and Ballincollig at around 3.30 p.m., County Hall
a short time afterwards and Blarney via the city centre. They
will also be travelling along the by-pass at Mallow on Sunday.
There will be bucket collections at all these points also.
Sponsorship cards are available in cycle shops in the city and
county as well as from Rehab in the Dosco Industrial Estate,
South Douglas Road or by contacting 086/2600684 or 087/2397351.
The fund raising event is being organised by John McNamara of the
Centra Service Station in Blarney and Paudie Murphy of the Bank
of Ireland in Midleton. They will be joined by experienced long
distance cyclists including RTE's Southern Editor Pascal Sheehy.
It's still not too late for more cyclists to join the long
distance run to Malin and participants will receive a T-shirt,
souvenir kit bag, and a special track suit as well as being
provided with over-night accommodation enroute.
If you feel like having an adventure in early September and help
a really good cause then why not contact John McNamara on 021-381789.
MONTESSORI
Born on August 31st 1870 Maria Montessori, was an
Italian educationist. Working with mentally disabled children,
she developed the Montessori method, an educational system for
all children based on an informal approach, incorporating
instructive play and allowing children to develop at their own
pace.
The Montessori method also emphasises the value of work. Children
are given a wide variety of materials carefully graded to permit
repetition, self-correction, and self-education. She wrote The
Montessori Method 1912 and The Secret of Childhood 1936.
She was born near Ancona and studied at Rome. In 1894, she became
the first woman in Italy to take a medical degree. She
specialised in paediatric medicine and psychiatry. She died in
1952.
ADULT EDUCATION EXHIBITION
The 22nd Annual Adult Education Exhibition will take place
from the 4 -6th September in the City hall. It will be open each
day from 5 - 10pm. Admission is free.
Over 70 organisations will participate in this year's exhibition
and they will offer information and advise on a wide range of
classes and courses available in Cork City and County during the
year.
Since it started in 1977 the Adult Education Exhibition has
developed to such an extent that it is now regarded as one of the
major educational activities in the country.
The Exhibition provides an opportunity for the community to
assess the wide range of classes, courses and activities
available in Cork. It also provides an opportunity for people to
discuss their specific educational needs with adult education
providers. All the statutory education bodies such as the
Vocational Education Committee, University College, Cork
Institute of Technology, Cork Community Schools and FAS are
participating in this year's Exhibition. Many voluntary
organisations, who have contributed a great deal to the concept
or life long learning in the community, will be present. Colleges
and institutes from the rapidly growing private sector will also
exhibit. Between them they offer a wide and diverse range of
courses and activities to cater for all interests.
Traditionally adult education was identified with leisure time
activity. While that is still an important element, adult
education or life long learning encompasses much more than that.
Adult education provides the opportunity for adults of all ages
and from all backgrounds to acquire new knowledge, skills and
training which will develop their confidence and provide the
necessary information and skills to participate fully in society.
Whether you are just finished the Leaving Certificate and are
looking for opportunities to pursue further educational
opportunities or an adult who wishes to return to education or if
you wish to learn new skills in your current employment the
exhibition has something to offer you.
COPING WITH ANXIETY
by Declan Cronin of Apex Clinic, Douglas
For the last ten months I have been suffering from anxiety
attacks. Since my first panic attack my symptoms have got
steadily worse. I am a very optimistic person by nature and I
only hope that I don't run out of optimism before I get better I
believe that mental attitude is essential but in this case I can't
understand why I can't will myself better. The only way I can
cope at the moment is by constantly reminding myself to be
positive and optimistic. I still socialise with friends and
family even though I sometimes shake all over and get caught for
breath. The way I look at it is that I'd rather be in panic with
my friends and family than in panic looking at the four walls at
home. I have a good sense of humour, which keeps me going,
however, cinema, theatre, concerts, etc. are out of the question
for the moment. Sometimes I feel so panicky when I'm in company
that the mental effort I have to put in to simply act normal just
knocks me out. I firmly believe that this will pass but I would
like to know if there is anything else I could do before I become
a burden to my family. Keep up the good work, Marsha.
Comment: It is very important to get support from your family and
friends. I do realise that in today's world it is not the done
thing to admit to something that people might consider to be a
weakness or a fault, however, by trusting in those you love and
admitting that you suffer from anxiety attacks might help them to
understand what you are going through and in turn they might be
more supportive and understanding. Their attitude can make or
break you. I stated before that seventy per cent of the
population will suffer from anxiety attacks at some stage in
their lives and the vast majority of those
people will to conquer the attacks. Your positive attitude
assures me that not alone will you rise above your current
difficulties but you will pick yourself up, go on, and do better.
If you decide to go for therapy then you should go to a therapist
that has been recommended by someone you trust.
More next week.
IS ELVIS PRESLEY ALIVE?
We continue with our final look at the somewhat controversial
evidence
No New Music, Orion?
Many believe that Elvis couldn't have given up performing cold
turkey. I imagine that after a while the desire to perform grew
once he started his life in exile. The story of Orion supports
the theory that Elvis attempted an incognito comeback.
Shortly after Elvis's death, a masked singer by the name of Orion
emerged on the scene. He was big like Elvis, and he sang just
like Elvis. Because of the mask, no one could tell his true
identity. One fan described seeing Orion from near the stage. She
claims that Orion left the stage between songs, and when he
appeared moments later the sweat was gone from his armpits and
back and she thought that his costume looked slightly different.
After the song he left the stage, and the original Orion returned.
Another fan described how she rushed into a tour bus at an Orion
show only to see two Orions in the back of the bus. She claimed
that one ducked into the bathroom before she could get a good
look at him, but he appeared to look like Elvis Presley.
What's even more remarkable is the fictional story called Orion
that was written by Gail Brewer-Georgio about a legendary
performer who had several identities and wanted to fake his death?
The story was written and submitted to the William Morris Agency
for publication consideration after Elvis's death and before the
real Orion ever performed. As it turns out, there are many ways
in which the real Orion mimicked the events as described in the
book. For example, the performers' managers had the same name.
Also, without knowing it, Brewer-Georgio wrote of events in Orion
that had actually taken place in Elvis Presley's life. It was a
case of life imitating art.
Picking up the Pieces.
In 1981, 20/20 did an investigation into the circumstances
surrounding the alleged death of Elvis Presley. The investigative
report was very convincing. Oddly enough, within two weeks of the
report, the singer, Orion disappeared and was never heard from
again. The book, Orion disappeared from shelves across the
country. The publisher who was associated with the William Morris
Agency had recalled it. Incidentally, the William Morris Agency
is the same agency that represented Elvis Presley.
We even tried to order a copy of the book, but were unable to.
The woman at the bookstore said she couldn't tell us why.......
It seems that Elvis Presley is worth more dead than alive. By
faking his death and relocating with a new identity, he is safe
from his fans and the Fraternity, the government can make a solid
case against the organised crime ring, and RCA, Elvis's family,
and Elvis's management can all reap immense financial benefits
from the attention.
That is... except for one benefit. No one has collected on his
life insurance policy.
WE CAN WORK IT OUT
Do your children a lifelong favour and put them to work - because
children who help out around the house or have part-time jobs
grow up to be happier and better-adjusted adults, according to a
new Harvard study.
The researchers followed 456 inner city men from the time they
were 14 years old until they reached the age of 47 and those who
did chores or had jobs fared much better later in life.
According to child care experts familiar with the study, working
youngsters went on to hold better paying jobs, got along better
with their wives, families and friends, and were distinctly
happier. The boys who hadn't been required to work either inside
or outside the home showed a higher incidence of mental illness,
had more run-ins with the law and died at a younger age. They
also worked at lower-paying jobs. Although the study only
followed low-income men, one expert said the results would be
similar for other income groups as well. The reason for the
difference is that assigning chores is a way for parents to
demonstrate their love for a child. The men in the study who were
required to do chores as children had well-balanced parents who
loved and cared about them and who also expected a lot from them
in the way of good, responsible behaviour, including helping with
household chores. Another expert recommends starting children on
chores as early as possible, but adds, it's never too late.
Children of any age will benefit from assuming duties around the
house.
THE DOUGLAS LINEN INDUSTRY
From the 'History of Douglas' by Con Foley, part
4
At a Linen Board Meeting on 6th October 1807, a petition from
Julius, John and Peter Besnard was presented, setting forth the
extensive improvements in their mills and stating that from the
period of the last return, they had erected a further 220
spindles. There are several records of the same nature claiming
premiums for the erection of additional spindles.
In 1810, West stated that upwards of 1,000 hands were employed in
the extensive concern belonging to Messrs. Besnard & Sons,
who also at a short distance had an extensive ropeworks. They had
several grants for sailcloth and spindles. (This would correspond
with the period of the Napoleonic Wars and Britain's
preoccupation with strengthening her fleet before the Battle of
Trafalgar).
In l8l7, Peter Besnard was appointed Inspector General for the
provinces of Leinster, Munster and Connaught in succession to
Charles Duffin, and towards the end of that year he reported that
there were five spinning mills in Cork but that only two of these,
namely, The Mill of Denis Connor at Springville and the Mill of
Messrs. Besnard were working.
There is a list of Bleachgreens at work in Co. Cork in 1817, four
in number, one of them belonging to John Besnard - address not
given.
Apparently the Besnards discontinued flax spinning before 1820,
but they continued in the linen trade, and in 1824 we find that
Besnard and Herrick with an address in Perry Street (probably a
town office), were large shippers of brown and white linen and
beetled hollands.
In the same year, according to Pigot's Directory, Peter Besnard
was a sailcloth and duck manufacturer.
The firm of Besnard and Herrick was in business until at least
1830, and up to that time were apparently the most influential
shippers in Munster. By 1837, the business had declined owing to
English competition, but the manufacture was being carried on,
together with a trade in cordage, which was held in high repute.
The last record of the Besnards is in Slater's Mercantile
Directory in 1846. In this volume, Julius Besnard, Junior is
listed as a rope manufacturer. In 1848, there was a transfer of
lease from Mrs. Mary Besnard to Julius Besnard: in 1862 from
Julius Caesar Besnard to Hugh Pollock and James Wheeler Pollock,
Merchants of Belfast. The firm of Morrogh Bros. & Co. Ltd.
appears on the scene in 1889. Owing to financial difficulties the
Pollocks closed the mill about 1885.
Next week The Besnard Family
THE DAVY CROCKETT STORY
Continued from last week ...
At San Augustine the party evidently divided.
Burgin and Tinkle went home; Crockett and Patton signed the oath
of allegiance, but only after Crockett insisted upon the
insertion of the word "republican" in the document.
They thus swore their allegiance to the "Provisional
Government of Texas or any future republican' Government that may
be hereafter declared." Crockett had balked at the
possibility that he
would be obliged to support some future government that might
prove despotic.
That Texas had changed his plans was indisputable. His last
extant letter, written on January 9, 1836, was quite clear:
"I must say as to what I have seen of Texas it is the garden
spot of the world. The best land and the best prospects for
health I ever saw, and I do believe it is a fortune to any man to
come here. There is a world of
country here to settle. . . .I have taken the oath of government
and have enrolled my name as a volunteer and will set out for the
Rio Grand in a few days with the volunteers from the United
States. But all volunteers is entitled to vote for a member of
the convention or to be voted for, and I have but little doubt of
being elected a member to form a constitution for this province.
I am rejoiced at my fate. I had rather be in my present situation
than to be elected to a seat in Congress for life. I am in hopes
of making a fortune yet for family, and myself bad as my prospect
has been.
Government service in Texas would rejuvenate his political career
and, as he stated elsewhere, provide the source of the affluence
he had unsuccessfully sought all his life. He intended to become
land agent for the new territory.
In early February Crockett arrived at San Antonio de Bexar;
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna arrived on February 20. On the one
hand Crockett was still fighting Jackson. The Americans in Texas
were split into two political factions that divided roughly into
those supporting a conservative Whig philosophy and those
supporting the administration. Crockett chose to join Col.
William B. Travis who had deliberately disregarded Sam Houston's
orders to withdraw from the Alamo, rather than support Houston, a
Jackson sympathiser. What was more, he saw the future of an
independent Texas as his future, and he loved a good fight.
Crockett died in battle of the Alamo on March 6, 1836. The manner
of his death was uncertain, however, until the publication in
1975 of the diary of Lt. Jose' Enrique de la Pena. Susanna
Dickinson, wife of
Almaron Dickinson, an officer at the Alamo, said Crockett died on
the outside, one of the earliest to fall. Joe, Travis's slave and
the only male Texan to survive the battle, reported seeing
Crockett lying dead with slain Mexicans around him and stated
that only one man, named Warner, surrendered to the Mexicans (Warner
was taken to Santa Anna and promptly shot). When Pena's
eyewitness account was placed together with other corroborating
documents, Crockett's central part in the defence became clear.
Travis had previously written that during the first bombardment
Crockett was everywhere in the Alamo "animating the men to
do their duty." Other reports told of the deadly fire of his
rifle that killed five Mexican gunners in succession, as they
each attempted to fire a cannon bearing on the
fort, and that he may have just missed Santa Anna, who thought
himself out of range of all the defenders' rifles. Crockett and
five or six others were captured when the Mexican troops took the
Alamo at about six o'clock that morning, even though Santa Anna
had ordered that no prisoners be taken. The general infuriated
when some of his officers brought the Americans before him to try
to intercede for their lives, ordered them executed immediately.
They were bayoneted and then shot. Crockett's reputation and that
of the other survivors was not, as some have suggested, sullied
by their capture. Their dignity and bravery was, in fact, further
underscored by Pena's recounting that "these unfortunates
died without complaining and without humiliating themselves
before their torturers."
Coincidentally, a work mostly of fiction masquerading as fact had
put the truth of Crockett's death before the American public in
the summer of 1836. Despite its many falsifications and
plagiarism's, Richard Penn Smith's 'Col. Crockett's Exploits and
Adventures in Texas... Written by Himself' had a reasonably
accurate account of Crockett's capture and execution. Many
thought the legendary Davy deserved better, and they provided it,
from thrilling tales of his clubbing Mexicans with his empty
rifle and holding his section of the wall of the Alamo until cut
down by bullets and bayonets, to his survival as a slave in a
Mexican salt mine.
In the final analysis, however, no matter how fascinating or
outrageous the fabrications were that gathered around him, the
historical David Crockett proved a formidable hero in his own
right and succeeded Daniel Boone as the rough-hewn representative
of frontier independence and virtue. In this regard, the motto he
adopted and made famous epitomised his spirit: "Be alway
MINUS ONE
Minus One, a Support Group for Separated and
Bereaved people had its
inaugural meeting in Cork at the beginning of August now set up
in Cork.
The purpose of the meeting was to explain more fully what Minus
One is.
Weekly meetings are held every Wednesday in the Rob Roy. The
response
so far has been phenomenon and Minus One is now fully established
permanently in Cork. Those wishing to obtain more information
about
MinusOne should phone local representative Noreen at 021 843937.
MinusOne has been in existence for almost 20 years and has been
of
tremendous help to those of us experiencing the trauma of being
alone
through Separation or Bereavement.
BEWARE OF KILLER CRAYONS
Playing with crayons can give your children cancer. That's the
terrible fear haunting health officials in Seattle, Washington,
after two government-certified labs found asbestos in crayons.
Scientists tested 40 crayons made by three top companies - and
found that more than 80 percent of them contained traces of the
potential lethal substance. The crayon colour with the most
asbestos was Orchid. But health experts warn that any crayon
could be dangerous, especially if children put them in their
mouths as they love to do: Doctors say asbestos often causes lung
cancer - but the symptoms don't usually appear until 20 to 30
years after a person is first exposed to it
