Roundstone News 10th May 2004

Visit to Szczecinek Poland 28th April to 4th May 2004

News is a little limited for the moment so I thought I would tell you a little about our trip to Szczecinek, Poland.

On the 28th April Nicholas Griffin and I set off, with two youth club members Patrick McDonagh and Amanda Keane both 17 years of age, to Poland for three reasons, (1) To celebrate their 20 years of twinning with Germany, Holland, Noyelles sous lens and Florence. (2) To officially welcome Poland on behalf of the Irish to the European Union. (3) Possibly to have a twinning with Szczecinek.

We flew from Shannon to Brussels where we were met by Hervé Janisweskie (mayor of Noyelles sous Lens), Bernard Slaweck and Gilles Morchipont for a long 16-hour drive to Poland, going through Belgium and Germany.

We arrived in Szczecinek the next day at 6am in the morning, after a few hours sleep it was time to work and meet various dignitaries, to present the Irish flag to the deputy mayor Jacek Piotrowski and then some sightseeing of the town.

May the 1st was the big day for us as it was the official joining of Poland to the European Union. The first official duty was held in the square of the town in front of the town hall, it was the raising of our countries flag, to our anthem raised by Patrick and Amanda our two youth members, it was an emotional moment, six other countries took part.

Into the formal chamber with a seating capacity of three to four hundred people of invited guests from all over the world, a small champagne reception, then on to the speeches, we were the last country to speak, starting with Nicholas Griffin who spoke about Ireland before and after joining the EU, and officially welcomed Poland, myself then spoke about the future of the young people (These speeches can be seen on the website).
Then there was the formal presentation of gifts from each country, from us came a green football shirt, litre bottle of Irish Whisky.

A formal lunch, a concert in the evening with two bands "De Mono" and "Golden life" both excellent, then on to a formal Banquet.

Sports events through out the week were held as part of the celebration, Nicky took part in the 10k run representing Ireland, he finished in 40th position out of a total of 113 runners.

The deputy mayor Jacek Piotrowski who took part in the team bicycle race wearing with some what pride with our Irish football shirt that was presented to him, I did not ask what position he came in, it might have caused an international incident to ask.

Our visit was very much a PRO exercise also a curiosity.
We made many contacts, now friends with the people of Szczecinek, a country that was communism up until 1989, now under a capitalist government has come a long way, so Poland has not come into the European structure with empty hands, it took 15 years in building a free, democratic and independent country. Their standard of schools and all things relating to youth is very high on their agenda, the people were warm and happy and always willing to lend a hand.

Patrick and Amanda were very patient; thrown into the deep end of diplomatic situations, meeting dignitaries such as Leszek Pawelski director of all the schools (10,000 kids) (who incidentally gave us dinner in his private home with just his lovely family), formally and informally.
Both of them are good ambassadors representing the youth of today in Roundstone.

For the four of us it was an experience we will proberly never see again or to be involved at that level. It is hoped that in early June the senior members of the youth club will be going out to Poland, but it is a long way off, money might just hold us back.

Which to this end the youth club is having a sponsored walk up Crough Patrick on the Sunday of the 23rd May, and are arranging for a raffle on the same day, specifically to try and raise some funds to go to Poland around about the 15th June. The raffle sheets will be in the shops and the post office. The prizes so far will be (1) 4 persons to take part in days activities at the adventure centre at Delphi (2) €150 worth of Jewellery sponsored by Shelia Magee. (3) A days fishing with Pat Conneely, thanks for that Pat, there will be of course a few more prizes. We are determined to go to Poland, so in advance we thank you for your help.


Marina:

Ann Conneely and Martin J. Conneely went up to the Dail to have a meeting with Frank Fahy and Dermot Ahern to discuss the possibility of funding the short fall of monies, even though there was no real committement as such it was a positive meeting, at least through our project manager Nial Connery every question that was asked was answered fluently, the ministers at least were impressed, another little bonus if you like, was that Frank Fahy brought McCreevy into the picture, McCreevy was introduced to Ann, and mentioned what a great man Joe was, also Ann was told by Frank that he was amazed that Charlie actually left the Dail to meet a private Group, so lets hope something will come out of the meeting.

Innishnee:

You may remember some weeks ago I mentioned about the possibility of having wheelie bins on Innishnee and to have them collected with the truck, unfortunately, this is not to be, owing to the size of the road, the reason why I am mentioning this is that Bridie Davis had been collecting the price of these bins from all householders, therefore the monies will be refunded to all those that paid for the service.
However the Galway County Council are still looking at having locked bins of some sort to be placed at the Innishnee cross roads, this has been an on going problem re dumping at the bridge for some time, at least at last it is being looked at.


Tidy towns:

After the Public meeting which was held on the 25th April, our swot analysis has just been published in preparation for the Tidy Town Competition, which laid out our strengths, Weaknesses (of which there are allot), however the analysis has at least given us opportunities to tidy up the village, and given us a working plan. There is not much of a chance of winning it, but long term if the items on the list are implemented, and we all pull together, we may have a chance in a year or two. Football News:

We now have a resident football correspondent, relating to the players of Roundstone, Nicky Griffin has taken on the task of keeping myself or Anne informed of the exploits of the football team, suffice to say congratulations to the Clifden foot ball team who defeated St Michaels from Galway city yesterday in the first round of the county intermediate championships by a score line of 1.10 to 11points. Nicky has written a fantastic article, which would take too long to read out, however you will find it on the Roundstone website with photos in a day or 2, but I will mention that Bernard Keaney was the man of the match, anyway well done to the whole team.

Our condolences to Pat Mullen and his immediate family for the loss of his sister who died in America a few days ago.
We might also remember in our prayers, cissy King who died in March, it would have been her 80th birthday tomorrow

-Richard de Stacpoole