High Schools Festival heats up!

Exciting line up of high octane schools set to participate in Waterford International Music Festival

With Waterford’s International Music Festival returning to the Theatre Royal, the High School Festival will add a high octane, high energy element to the festival in May.

Announcing details of the participating schools for the 2012 festival, Vicki Graham, High School Festival co-ordinator, was delighted with the line – up. “We are delighted to announce that six talented schools will be bringing their productions to the High School Festival as part of the Waterford International Music Festival.”

“Young talent from the region and further afield will compete over three nights in what promises to be a lively element of the festival.”

The participating schools include Waterford’s De La Salle College with the hugely popular “Back to the 80’s” and Stella Maris’ production of “Our Day Out”, Loreto Secondary School and St. Peter’s College of Wexford are bringing the perennial favourite “Grease” to the stage, “Oliver” will be performed by Colaiste Bhrid of Carnew, Maynooth Post Primary School will perform “The Phantom of the Opera” and the Phoenix Stage School will perform a Variety Show.

Vicki added “There is such a wealth of young talent in the secondary and stage schools around the country. The High School Festival gives these young performers the opportunity to shine under the spotlight and they are all delighted to performing within a festival that has, over the years, produced and nurtured amazing musical talent.”

The High School Festival takes place at the Theatre Royal on May 1^st, 2^nd, and 9^th.

For further information about the Waterford International Music Festival, line up and booking information, visit www.waterfordintlmusicfestival.com, www.theatreroyal.ie or call the Theatre Royal Booking Office on 051 874402.

A host of musical talent returns to Waterford’s Theatre Royal

Waterford’s International Music Festival is set to return to the Theatre Royal from May 1st to May 13th.

Known affectionately as the ‘mother of all festivals’ and now in its 51^st season, the Waterford International Music Festival is regarded as one of the premier musical events of its kind in Ireland.

Formerly the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera began in 1958 and ran for 49 consecutive years. Following a newly formatted festival in 2010 to celebrate its 50^th anniversary, 2012 sees the Waterford International Music Festival set to make a welcome return to the beautifully restored Theatre Royal.

The 2012 Waterford International Music Festival promises 10 nights of high calibre musical talent featuring five nights of competitive light opera, three nights of the highly popular High Schools Musical Festival, a cabaret style final night and a headline performance by Irish tenor Finbar Wright.

Ben Barnes, Director, Waterford’s Theatre Royal, is delighted with the return of the Waterford International Music Festival. “Waterford has a long and highly esteemed tradition of musicals and has always been a popular venue for musical productions from all over the world.”

“This year we are delighted to welcome some very exciting productions from Ireland and the UK, along with some highly entertaining shows from closer to home, including David Hennessy’s stunning production of Les Miserables.”

Les Miserables is currently celebrating 25 years of standing ovations and critical acclaim all over the world and is now set to take the Theatre Royal by storm featuring the cream of young talent from the South Eastern Youth Theatre Group.

On May 6^th, “The Boys in the Photograph” will be performed by Belfast’s Fusion Theatre Group. “The Boys in the Photograph” is a Ben Elton and Andrew Lloyd Webber rewrite of “The Beautiful Game”. Set in Belfast at the start of the Troubles, it reflects the rise of violence, but ultimately demonstrates that violence is not the answer.

Clara and Maynooth Musical Societies along with Galway’s Encore Theatre will bring their respective productions of “The Producers”, “RENT” and “Clown” to the May festival. The final night adjudication on May 13^th will feature a cabaret by Scotland’s Downfield Musical Society.

Headline act and Cork native Finbar Wright is no stranger to Waterford or the Theatre Royal as he celebrated 20 years of music with a sell out performance in February 2010.

An accomplished and versatile performer, Finbar Wright has enjoyed a spectacular musical career around the globe and has performed with the Irish Tenors, Monserrat Caballé, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and rock ‘n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis.

Ben Barnes added “Finbar’s wonderful voice and presence makes him a firm favourite with Waterford music lovers. Waterford audiences took him to their hearts when he performed here in 2010 and we are pleased that he is coming back to perform a very special concert in aid of the Waterford International Music Festival on Thursday, May 3rd.”

For further information about the Waterford International Music Festival, line up and booking information, visit www.waterfordintlmusicfestival.com, www.theatreroyal.ie or call the Theatre Royal Booking Office on 051 874402.

Waterford City Needs You!

Waterford City Council has issued a request to the people of the city to help make its online service better, more apt and more efficient.

For a number of years Waterford City Council has been offering online services and information to the residents of the city. It has become active in social media and its Twitter account is by far the most popular method by which people communicate with the City Council.

Waterford City Council currently offers several payment facilities online – including rents, water rates for businesses, traffic fines and downloadable forms. There are also facilities to join the library, check out a book or even receive a text alert for burst water mains. However Waterford City Council is endeavouring to improve these services.

In order to ascertain what the public wants, the City Council is asking the public to tell them exactly what they would like to see available online.

Conan Power, Waterford City Council, explains “Our primary aim is to establish a focus group with members from the public, across as broad a range of City Council service users as possible. What we hope to gain from this exercise is an in-depth picture of how our online services are regarded, in order to enhance them, offer new services and concentrate on new areas.”

“We know that the best people to ask are the users themselves. Even those who do not use our online services are welcome, so we can find out how to help them connect with us. There are no limits to the focus group, however the conversation will pertain to online services.”

They are many areas the City Council wants to invigorate, for example, WaterfordLife is a portal for small businesses and clubs which is in design at the moment and will enable these enterprises to have their own free presence online, at the same time being part of a larger community portal with information across the board for people living in Waterford city.

Waterford City Council is also seeking opinions on its current documentation and online forms. Does the public want to submit forms online rather than on paper? Are there additional services the Council could provide? Can the Council relay information in a better way? Can it complement a service that’s there at the moment with something more interactive or useful?

Mr. Power added “Other Councils offer a broad range of services but we want to really make our information a service in itself. The ultimate goal is that the focus group will help us to look at providing any service people want that is appropriate online. It all might not be possible immediately but it will help us formulate an informed plan that can be implemented over time.”

Waterford City Council doesn’t have specifics in terms of what is needed to change– that’s for the public to decide via this focus group.

If you want to get involved and participate in this focus group simply email website@waterfordcity.ie or phone Conan Power at the Waterford City Council offices on 051-849746.

Norwegian students enjoy an enterprising visit to Waterford City

From March 12^th to March 15^th 19 Norwegian students a Norwegian teacher and 2 Swedish teachers visited Waterford City on the invitation of Ciaran Cullen CEO (Acting) of Waterford City Enterprise board. The students (18-19 years olds) are studying a 3-year entrepreneurship program, this is the student’s 3^rd and last year and the Irish visit is the highlight of their year.

A full itinerary was planned for the group including visits to Waterford City enterprises, WIT, historical venues such as Reginald’s Tower and on Tuesday March 13^th they attended a private morning seminar. Held at the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly the seminar included speakers such as Jim Power, economist with Friend’s First and the Norwegian Ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Mr. Roald Næss on topics such as Irish/Norwegian trade relations and how Ireland has dealt with the European financial crisis.

This is not the first time Waterford City Enterprise Board has hosted a Norwegian student group. Ciaran Cullen CEO (Acting) emphasises the importance of the visit, “We have spent a number of year’s developing friendships with Norway and hosting student groups. Our approach to enterprise development is a good example to the students and their enterprise teachers. We hope to make a return visit to Norway in 2013 with Waterford City students and local enterprises in order to strengthen our relationship and hopefully resulting in some productive trade relations between Waterford City and Norway.”

The Norwegian teacher, Mariann Janson described their long term vision for the relationship as…

“We would very much like to make this study visit permanent for our 3^rd grade entrepreneurship class. Ireland is in many ways similar to Norway, it is a small country with about 5 million inhabitants. Yet there are many differences, Ireland is close to Great Britain and a member of EU, and have different challenges to Norway. Our students need to learn that Norway is a small country on the edge of Europe, and we depend heavily of the rest of Europe and the world. Many Norwegians seem to think that we will get along fine on our own because of the oil, this is definitely not the case. We also think that this is a great opportunity to show our students the beautiful Irish nature and the possibilities to go to university here. Not many have been to Ireland before, so this will open their eyes to what Ireland has to offer.”

JA-YE Europe (www.ja-ye.org ) is Europe’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy, reaching 3.1 million students in 37 countries in 2011. Funded by businesses, institutions, foundations and individuals, JA-YE brings the public and private sectors together to provide young people in primary and secondary schools and early university with high-quality education programmes to teach them about enterprise, entrepreneurship, business and economics in a practical way. The JA-YE Company Programme is recognised by the European Commission Enterprise Directorate General as a ‘Best Practice in Entrepreneurship Education’. JA-YE Europe is the European headquarters for JA Worldwide®.)

HCS Business Solutions and Kilkenny Chamber – clearing up the Cloud!

HCS Business Solutions, in association with Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce, will host a free lunchtime seminar on Wednesday, March 21^st.

The seminar entitled “The practical applications of the Cloud - is your business ready?” is aimed at business owners and managers.

The seminar will address questions such as “The Cloud and your business – are you ready?” and deal with the issue of how cloud computing can make business better. There will also be a demonstration of Microsoft Cloud Services.

This free event will take place in the Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce Board Room, The Maltings, Tilbury Place, Kilkenny on Wednesday, March 21^st.

Places are limited so early booking is essential. Contact Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce on 056 7752767 or email billy.oneill@kilkennychamber.ie

For further information about HCS Business Solutions or for a free cloud computing assessment survey visit www.hcs.ie or call 051 595200.

Home Instead Senior Care launches Pensioner’s Handbook

The launch of a Handbook for older people was welcomed by Kathleen Lynch, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Older People, Equality and Mental Health. The Irish Pensioners Handbook 2012 features advice and information on a wide range of issues including allowances and entitlements, medical, health and nutrition matters, the various options for elder care, home safety information, legal and financial information and much more. It was produced by Home Instead Senior Care with the support of Age Action and the HSE.

Minister Lynch commented, “I would like to congratulate all those associated with this publication which provides a wealth of useful information not only for pensioners and their families, but also for carers and service providers. The priority for the Department and the Health Service Executive over 2012 is to improve the care for older people as they access a range of services.“

According to Danette Connolly, Director of Care with Home Instead Senior Care, the handbook is an invaluable information source for seniors and their families.

“Many seniors have difficulty accessing details about public services and entitlements available to them. The purpose of the handbook is to provide information on the areas that affect seniors including allowances and entitlements, medical advice, advice around the home, health and nutrition and dementia and Alzheimer’s care.”

Care Choices feature prominently in the handbook and serves to dispel the confusion surrounding care options for seniors. The Pensioner’s Handbook provides practical advice on choosing home care and also provides guidelines for employing a carer.

Ms. Connolly added, “Many seniors and their families are confronted with having to choose some form of care as they get older. Depending on an individual’s health, wellbeing and outlook, there are many different care options to choose from.”

“The Pensioners Handbook will give seniors and families the information to make an informed decision about the best care options available to them individually.”

“Whether it is being cared for in a nursing home or in their own home we want seniors to know that they should expect the very best professional care and should also know their entitlements and where to turn if in any doubt about best practise.”

Eamon Timmins of Age Action said, “Information is power. As a national charity for older people, Age Action passionately believes in empowering older people. The existence of entitlements and services is one thing – making people aware of them is a completely different challenge – which is why we are very pleased to partner with Home Instead Senior Care and the HSE in producing the ‘2012 Irish Pensioners Handbook’. It really is a valuable tool for older people.”

The Irish Pensioners Handbook 2012 features information on:

· Allowances and Entitlements for older people and carers

· Medical Advice

· Home Care

· Advice Around the Home

· Nursing Home Care

· Dementia and Alzheimer’s care

· Tips on Health & Fitness, Nutrition & Diet, Holidays & Travel

· Financial and Legal advice

· How to deal with Bereavement

It also has a directory of older person's organisations and other useful contacts.

Call Home Instead Senior Care in Waterford on 051 333966 to order a FREE copy of the Irish Pensioners Handbook.

Log on to www.homeinstead.ie to download a pdf of the guide.

Tidy Tails clean up at the Waterford City Student Enterprise Awards

On Wednesday February 29^th Deputy Mayor Cllr Gary Wyse presented the Waterford City Enterprise Board perpetual student enterprise trophy along with the winners cheque to a group called ‘Tidy Tails’.

The winning group, from Newtown School in Waterford City founded a business where they designed and created a new bandage wrapping product. Both members of the group, Gillian Bond and Shane Fitzgerald are horse enthusiasts and found a niche in that market for a machine which wraps horses’ tail bandages. They made their own prototype first but then engaged some mechanical engineers to help make improvements on the product. They have made some sales to date and have a number of interested potential buyers both in Ireland and abroad. They will now represent Waterford City at the National Finals in Croke Park on April 18^th.

Other winners include;

2nd place: - Clean Machine from Abbey Community College

Gary Dooley

3rd place: - Makes Sense from the Mercy secondary school

Jenny Walsh, Sarah Phelan, Lisa Mulhall &Chelsea O Keeffe

Best Display: - K8’s glass design from St. Paul’s Community College

Kate Swift.

Best innovation: - Easy A from De la Salle

Robert McCarthy, Mark Hayes, Bill Carton, Jack Hennessy & Dylan Kennedy

Students’ Choice: - Easy Revision from De la Salle

Evan Croke, Gary Drohan, Jamie Slattery & Makzim Lizura

Bertie Rogers (Chair of Waterford City Enterprise Board) praised the teachers, judges and students for all their effort. “It takes much effort and many hours from many people to organise an event like this, and everyone should be very proud”.

The Waterford City Student Enterprise Awards involved over 300 Waterford transition year students every year. It is part of a national competition. Each year almost 15,000 students from all over Ireland get to find out what it’s really like to be their own boss and run their own business by taking part in the Student Enterprise Awards Programme.

The objectives of the programme are;

• To give students practical, real life experience of setting up and running their own business
• To encourage students to think about entrepreneurship and self-employment as a viable career choice
• To enhance the teaching of business and entrepreneurship in schools by combining class room learning with real life experience

Ciaran Cullen Waterford City Enterprise Board CEO (Acting) praised the winning group itself. “Whether it is student enterprise or SMEs, good ideas always shine. Organisation and determination are very important but a good idea will always stand out and this group had the idea, the organisation and the determination. We are delighted with this year’s city winner and are optimistic for the National Finals next month.”

As well as finding out what life is like as your own boss, the National Finals students are also in with a chance of winning some great prizes including:

• A 1,500 euro cash prize for your school
• An all-expenses paid Italian trip worth over 10,000 euro.
• All4One vouchers