David Coleman to speak in Waterford City

David Coleman, clinical psychologist, broadcaster and author will speak at the Tower Hotel on Thursday May 19th. His topic for this visit, sponsored by Mr Binman, is relevant for all parents as it deals with ‘Building your child’s self esteem’.

David Coleman is a graduate of University College Dublin and has been a practising Clinical Psychologist, working with children and families for over twelve years.

David has become well known in Ireland as the presenter of the hit RTE television series "Families in Trouble", "Teens in the Wild" and more recently ‘Families in the Wild’, all of which were enjoyed by huge audiences nationwide. David also presents ‘21st Century Child’, a landmark venture for RTE which follows 12 Irish families for six years from the birth of their babies.

A natural communicator, David’s style is universally acclaimed as accessible and approachable. David has successfully transferred his skills to radio where he is the dependable weekly contributor to the Moncrieff Show’s parenting slot every Wednesday on Newstalk 106-108.

David gives lectures and workshops to groups all around the country on topics ranging from parenting to communication. Speaking, in person, to thousands over the last year David enjoys the engagement with a live audience and his entertaining style is always acknowledged.

Not content with his media and lecturing work David is also a bestselling author of “Parenting is Child’s Play” a guide to raising children young children. The book, a firm and continuing favourite with Irish parents, was published by Penguin Ireland in May 2007. His latest book, published in January 2010, is a guide for parents of teenagers called “Parenting is Child’s Play: The Teenage Years”. He is also a weekly expert contributor to the Health and Living supplement with the Irish Independent every Monday.

Tickets are on sale from Ardkeen Quality Food Store, Shaws Waterford, the Tower Hotel and Christ Church National School (beneficiaries from the proceeds of the event) and are just €10 and €8 to Mr. Binman customers.

May is the month that seniors celebrate Creativity and the Arts

May belongs to the Bealtaine festival and this year’s Bealtaine theme is “Push the Boat out, whatever the sea”. Celebrating creativity for the older person (over 55’s), Waterford City Library Service has compiled a jam packed schedule of art, dance, digital photography, pilates, techno clinics and gardening workshops.

According to Age & Opportunity, which coordinates the festival, an estimated 57,000 people now take part in the Bealtaine festival, making it one of Ireland’s biggest arts festivals.

Local businesswoman, Danette Connolly of Home Instead Senior Care, which provides home care for Waterford seniors, has welcomed the festival and the work of Waterford City Library Service.

Ms. Connolly commented “It is wonderful to see such a diverse and interesting schedule put together specifically for seniors. Age is a state of mind and by pursuing an active lifestyle and availing of the opportunities to learn new skills the mind is kept as inquiring and vibrant as ever.”

“The Waterford City Library Service’s Bealtaine line up has something for everyone. I would urge all seniors and their families and friends to call into the Library, sign up for a workshop, enjoy the host of events and talks and keep active.”

“Free copies of the Home Instead Senior Care Pensioners Handbook will also be available. This is an invaluable free resource for seniors, their families and caregivers. The handbook provides practical information and advice on issues such as home care and allowances and entitlements. It also boasts a directory of older person's organisations and other useful contacts.”

Jane Cantwell, City Librarian with Waterford City Library added “The Bealtaine Festival is a true celebration of creativity for the young at heart. From May 1^st to May 31^st Waterford City Library Service has compiled a programme of events that offers seniors, in particular, the opportunity to learn new skills, discover new talents, try something different and generally enjoy themselves.”

Ms. Cantwell added “We will also be introducing a new range of e-books, audio books and life-long learning materials. Events are free and we would love to see everyone call in and experience the Bealtaine Festival.”

So, if you are over 55 and want to try something new, set your sails to new horizons with the selection of free workshops and talks at this year’s Bealtaine Festival.

For further information about the Bealtaine Festival and programme of events, contact Waterford Central Library 051 849975; Ardkeen Library 051 84975 or Brown’s Road Library 051 849845 or visit the Library website at www.waterfordcity.ie/library

To pick up a free copy of the Home Instead Senior Care Pensioners Handbook, just call into any branch of your local library in May or log onto www.homeinstead.ie.

2011 Waterford Festival of Architecture

Check out the mostly free events on during the 2011 Waterford Festival of Architecture. Pick up a festival programme from your local library or log onto www.wfa.ie and get involved!

Events get underway on Thursday the 5^th with a public talk about plans currently underway for the Viking Triangle, with Eamonn McEneaney in Christ Church at 3pm, followed by a public, opening event talk by noted architect and historian Shane O’Toole at 5pm in the Large Room, City Hall and the opening of RIAI exhibition in the Theatre Royal at 6pm.

On Friday in the WIT Auditorium, hear two of the country’s most esteemed and critically acclaimed architects speak about their work and the recent ‘Of de Blacam & Meagher’ project for the 2010 Venice Bienale. Followed by a rare opportunity to hear local artist and architect Jack O’Hare interviewed by Shane O’Toole in the WIT Auditorium about Jack’s collaborations with the famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright from 1948-1949. There is a film screening of the famous 1929 black and white silent film ‘Man With A Movie Camera’ in the Garter Lane Friday night at 7pm, with an introduction by WIT’s Dr. Richard Hayes.

The weekend is full of opportunities to be outdoors and surrounded by the contributions to architecture by John Roberts, the inspiration behind the creation of the festival. On Saturday, come to the festival container in John Roberts Square to mark the beginning of your ‘Architecture Detective Trail’ (12-5pm), collect your map and start sleuthing! The festival container this year is host to various selected works from three different projects; WIT Dept of Architecture selected works 2010-2011, WIT Department of Architecture samples of designs submitted for their house building charity project in Nicaragua and Architecture as Artform: Student exhibition of Architect in Residence project for Waterford County Council (also on exhibition in the Tramore Civic Offices, Tankfield, Tramore).

Take a stroll over to St. John’s priory to see demonstration of stonewall building in the carpark across from St. John’s. or a bit further to Kilcohan Industrial Units on Ballytruckle Rd (beside Azzurri) for a live demonstration of the building of a Viking Longboat, by members of FAS and community. On Sunday, don’t miss our ‘Family Day’ in John Roberts Square, with all ages workshops: engineering workshops by CALMAST, architecture and craftsmanship workshop about the use of form, structure and materials with architect Aoife Banim, demonstrations and exhibitions of maritime heritage by FAS members and community with a Bantry Gig and Sailing Dory on display in the square! Make like a tourist and take a free tour of the House of Waterford Crystal Factory Tour at 3pm in the House of Waterford Crystal (tickets, limited to two per booking, through info@wfa.ie).

Finish your evening with a film – about one of the world’s premier architects, Norman Foster, in “How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster”, in the Garter Lane Cinema at 8pm. Tickets for “How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster” and “Man With A Movie Camera” are available through www.garterlane.com or box office at 051 855038.

You can pick up a programme from your local library, or log on to www.wfa.ie for a full list of events.

The future is clear for ex Crystal workers

Following the closure of Waterford Crystal Ltd and the layoff of most of the workforce the European Parliament approved Ireland's application for assistance under the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) for those redundant workers. The EGF fund made available encompasses over 650 workers made redundant at the Waterford Crystal Kilbarry plant and in ancillary enterprises in 2009. The EGF application is for just under €4m, of which the Government is providing almost €1.4m, with the remainder coming from the EGF.

The measures which the EGF fund can be used for include supports for retraining, up skilling, enterprise development and educational opportunities. The whole project is overseen by a steering group under the chairmanship of City Manager Michael Walsh.

Almost 250 redundant workers have availed of training places to date in disciplines as diverse as computing, warehousing, welding, forklift and HGV driving as well as external courses supported through the FÁS technical employment support grant. The aim of these supports is to better enable redundant workers to augment existing craft skills with broader or additional skillsets with a view to their accessing, or being ready to access, employment opportunities as they arise.

The Vocational Education Committees, Enterprise Ireland and the City and County Enterprise Boards are also offering a range of educational and enterprise supports to former workers in areas such Start Your Own Business, Childcare studies, Business courses and ECDL. Quite a few redundant workers have started their own businesses and receive business advice and business mentoring on a regular basis from the City & County Enterprise Boards.

Now though for the first time the training for ex Crystal workers is given by former colleagues.

Insight Training & Professional Services Ltd. is a customised training specialist, providing tailored in-company and public courses in Ireland. It also provides a wide range of consultancy services in Business, Operations, Industrial Engineering and Human Resource Management for both commercial, and not for profit organisations. The company is owned and run by former Waterford Crystal workers John Widger and Joe Kelly.

Insight Training has received full EGF funding for two training courses specifically designed for former Waterford Crystal workers.

FETAC Level 3 Employability Skills:

This course is aimed at workers who have many years practical experience but may need a recognised qualification to secure a job. This is course is suitable to blowers, cutters and general workers who may have left school at an early age. This is a practical course covering areas such as career preparation, computers, and interpersonal skills and will enable you, on completion, to show employers that you have a recognised qualification and are proactive in your job search.

FETAC Level 6 Supervisory Skills:

This course is aimed at people who may have worked in a team leader or charge hand / supervisory role or for those who wish to progress to such a role in the future. Main subject areas include managing people, employment law, and management systems. This course is of real benefit as it caters for supervisory / management roles across all employment sectors – service industry, manufacturing operations and the public service.

Both courses are being offered on both a full-time and a part-time basis, to cater for people who are currently unemployed, those in employment, or pursuing further education. Courses are scheduled to start in early May and will be run in the Waterford Crystal Social and Sports Centre.

John Widger, (PIE, BBS, MBA), began lecturing and training in 1998. Before training, John was a successful manager and has a wide range of experience in Project Management, Engineering and Marketing. John explains his training style, “I bring practical experience to my training, and would be known for my flexible, ‘coaching style’ training, it’s designed to give both knowledge and genuine experience. Learning is a two way process and people learn by doing.”

Joe Kelly (MBA, PIE, BBS, Dip. Social Science, Dip. Managing Diversity) is an experienced trainer having spent nine years in the training department of a major company. Joe has also lectured in a number of colleges around the country over the years and is the National Examiner for the Institute of Industrial Engineers. Joe is delighted to have something to offer ex Crystal workers, “I’m also a firm believer in the ‘learn by doing’ principle and uses this method of teaching as a key support to enhanced learning, encouragement and involvement of participants.”

They focus on building long term partnerships with their clients by taking time to understand their specific needs and develop customised courses and solutions to ensure these needs are met.

For more information on these fully funded courses just contact Joe Kelly or John Widger 051 - 354855, or email them on insighttrainingcourses@gmail.com

Seafield National School makes its (not so) big screen debut!

Having recently installed ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Bunmahon's Seafield National School was featured on RTE's News2day.

Click on the link to see how the two classroom school has benefited greatly from shared resource computing with the aid of the Government’s technology grant.

http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1095911

Seafield National School visited by RTE

Seafield National School in Bunmahon, Co. Waterford was recently visited by RTE as they showcased their recent investment in ICT (Information and Communications Technology). RTE’s South Eastern correspondent Damien Tiernan talked with the pupils and teachers to find out how ICT has impacted on their day to day learning.

The two classroom school has benefited greatly from shared resource computing with the aid of the Government’s technology grant.

According to Ann Coffey, Principal of Seafield NS “Since we installed the system the children have enjoyed a more enhanced learning experience. We now have six workstations running on one computer in our classroom which just take the space of one small desk. Computer learning and access to the internet is now part of daily student activities.”

The shared resource computing was installed by local company Waterford Computer Repair Centre, which has packaged a suite of products such as Microsoft software, shared computing devices, a PC and up to eleven LCD screens. This package has been specifically designed for primary and secondary schools to offer a low cost, minimal maintenance and green I.T. solution which allows pupils to share the computing resources of one single PC.

Sean Hegarty, Director of WCRC, said “Recent focus in schools has been on teaching aides like interactive whiteboards, visualisers and teaching computers. Shared resource computing is a great way of getting computer workstations into classrooms for pupils to use.”

“Recent studies indicate that not only does shared computing enable greater involvement and interaction from the student at a much lower cost, it’s green, it marries technology and learning like never before and it utilises classroom space better.”

“If pupils have access to computers and to the internet for daily learning this will go a long way towards preparing our young people in a smart economy.”

For further information about the advantages of shared resource computing from WCRC log onto www.wcrc.ie or call 051 592015

Is your bed a good place to sleep?

Sleep deprivation is at serious levels in today’s society and the effects are very apparent. The cause could be a sleep disorder and may be due to erratic work hours, lack of time to devote to sleep or ones sleeping environment. Stress, worry or purposely skipping sleep may also be to blame. Whatever the reason, many of us are clearly missing out on the sleep we need to function properly.

Research has shown that the loss of just one and a half to two hours of sleep a night causes a marked decline in alertness, attention span and the ability to process information. This seemly small amount of sleep deprivation affects our reflexes and memory. It can also lead to depression and irrational decision making. The greater the amount and duration of sleep deprivation the more potent the results.

According to a recent survey conducted by The National Sleep Council, nearly half of us are getting just six hours sleep or less a night. And an alarming four out of five people complain of disturbed or inadequate sleep. This can often be caused by sleeping on worn out or unsuitable beds. According to industry standards, 7 – 10 years is the average lifespan of a mattress. Do you ever have a better night’s sleep when you are away than when you are at home in your own bed?

According to the same survey by The National Sleep Council almost 25% of people prefer the bed they sleep in when they go away to the ones they have at home. 67% of people said they wake up with back or neck ache. This is a classic symptom that one’s bed at home no longer offers the right level of support.

Did you know that King Koil, one of Ireland’s leading bed manufacturers supply beds to many of the leading hotels in the country? These beds are available to you today at discounted prices at the Sienna Home Furnishings Spring Promotion.

Sienna Home Furnishings has a dedicated Sleep Room, away from the rest of the store, to allow people the time, comfort and privacy that they need to try out a selection of quality beds. When choosing a new bed, Sienna advises that people are prepared to spend up to 30 minutes or more making this important choice.

80% of bed shoppers spend less than 2 minutes trying out beds which they are likely to be spending several hours in just 1 year. Up to 3,000 hours is the average person likely to spend in bed in just 1 year?

For more information unhappy sleepers can check out the Sleep Council website on www.sleepcouncil.org.uk or call into the Sleep Room at Sienna Home Furnishings at the Tramore Road Business Park in Waterford city.

CELEBRATING SWEENEY

An evening of music in Christ Church Cathedral will celebrate Eric Sweeney’s contribution to music in Waterford. Over 100 singers and musicians will perform in a huge thank you to the composer and educator.

Eric Sweeney recently retired from WIT having led the BA (Hons) Music for over twenty years. Eric compositional works have been performed internationally and he is a member of Aosdána, the affiliation of creative artists in Ireland. Eric is organist and choirmaster in Christ Church Cathedral in Waterford city.

The concert will include work written by current WIT Music students; by composer, Aosdána member and one time WIT Music student Gráinne Mulvey and by composer, choral director and educator Br. Ben Hanlon who is currently doing a PhD in composition under the guidance of Eric Sweeney. The highlight of the evening will be a performance of Hymn to Gaia by Eric Sweeney, performed by the cathedral choir and WIT Chamber Choir with quartet, organ and soloists.

Tickets are €10 and €5 concession and will be available on the door on Thursday 7^th April. For more information go to www.christchurchwaterford.com or find us on Facebook at ‘Celebrating Sweeney’.