Waterford Today | Waterford's free weekly newspaper

The first lecture of the Society for 2008 takes place on Friday 25 January, when the speaker will be Dr. James Eogan, whose topic will be: 'A seven thousand-year-long journey--archaeological discoveries on the route of Waterford N25 by-pass'. Members and all friends welcome.

Healing Arts

Sarah McCarthy is a graduate student of Waterford Institute of Technology (W.I.T.) majoring in composition. Sarah has performed with the W.I.T. chamber choir at the Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford and at choral festivals in Wales. She currently works as a free lance composer and her work will be performed as part of the Waterford New Music Week Festival in 2008. Leah Clarke is in her final year as a music student at W.I.T. majoring in Traditional Irish music editing. She has played with Comhaltas and with W.I.T.'s Traditional Irish Music Society. Leah has also taught workshops in

Read More »

Question: I heard that a Widowed Parent Grant was increased in the Budget. Is this the same as the Bereavement Grant?

Answer: No, the Widowed Parent Grant is a once-off grant that is available in addition to the Bereavement Grant if you are a widow or widower with dependent children, and your spouse died after 1 December 1999.

In the recent Budget, the Widowed Parent Grant was increased from €4,000 to €6,000.

To be entitled to the grant, you must be eligible for one of the following payments:

• Widow's/Widower's Contributory Pension (including those from a country in the EU or with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement)• One-Parent Family Payment• Death Benefit under the Occupational Injuries Scheme• Bereavement Grant payable on the death of a spouse

The Bereavement Grant is a payment of €850. Eligibility for the Bereavement Grant usually depends

Read More »

Small and Medium Enterprise group, ISME, have claimed that a lack of information and among their members companies could lead to a defeat for the treaty in similar circumstances to the first Nice referendum.

Among the most damning aspects of the ISME report was that those who were willing to vote, though some lacking proper information, the numbers who were voting no if a referendum was held now outweighed those who would vote yes if 19% to 12% with 59% who did not know and 10% who would abstain.

The small and medium business group released a statement last week stating that both 95% of their members companies are not adequately aware of the implications of the treaty on their business and that 88% of their members have said that they did not have sufficient information to make a decision

Read More »

Sales of Irish farmland were as good as could be expected last year and were more or less in line with the levelling off experienced in the residential property market, reports independent global property consultants Knight Frank.

In a national agricultural land price survey, carried out annually by the Irish office of Knight Frank, formerly Knight Frank Ganly Walters, it was found that prices more or less stabilised in 2007, having reached realistic levels after the dramatic increases over the past number of years.

There was some decline across the country from the very high levels of 2006, but this was modest when viewed against the meteoric price rises of the past decade and it occurred mostly in Dublin and surrounding counties of Kildare and Wicklow, as would be expected.

The national average price for farmland was EUR 20,367 per acre in 2007,

Read More »

Ownership of Glanbia Meats could be changing hands within the next two months after an announcement that they are negotiating a Management Buyout with four of their senior managers, including their Chief Executive, Jim Hanley, after the corporate communications department in Glanbia House in Kilkenny released a statement on the matter.

After the short media statement issued midway through last week, Glanbia plc confirmed that it is negotiating a management buyout (MBO) to sell the group meat business operations which employs 850 people nationwide.

In the statement, Glanbia officials said that the 'development' was for Glanbia's ambition to focus investment in their key growth areas of cheese, food ingredients and nutritional foods.

In reaction to the current events, Michael Keane, Waterford chairman of the Irish Farmers Association said: "Pig Farmers have been on to me and they are very concerned

Read More »

Q. Crime history buffs, can you recount a few of the "fractured" forensics behind the still unsolved Jack the Ripper serial killer case of 1888?

A. Start with the utterly botched investigation. The five mutilated victims, found within a half-mile radius, were all "ladies of the night," and lack of funding and training for support staff led to evidence being treated unscientifically, says E.J. Wagner in "The Science of Sherlock Holmes." For example, the corpse of Mary Ann Nichols - usually considered the first victim - was only superficially examined by a physician before mortuary workers (actually inmates from a workhouse) stripped the body. They had made no notes, labeled no evidence, and had only vague recollections afterward. Said the coroner, "It appears the mortuary-keeper is subject to fits, and neither his memory nor statements are reliable."

Then there were the

Read More »

Aries - March 21st - April 20th

The anger of other people might disturb your equilibrium this week, and you will need to step with care as you navigate your days. It is though, only a temporary situation, and you are best advised not to get caught up in any issue that is not your direct responsibility. An unexpected act of kindness sets off a chain reaction that might spread around the community, and a trans-Atlantic connection emerges to general excitement.

Taurus - April 21st - May 21st

Invitations and a feeling of real popularity are surrounding you at the moment – but you really need to remember who your real friends are as you cavort with the fair-weather ones. Change for the better is indicated but it doesn't come to pass without you giving life a bit of an extra push. News

Read More »

Waterford News

War years 1939 - 1946

Tanyard arch and new street

compulsory purchase order

In the weekly "News" an advertisement appeared in connection with a compulsory purchase order in respect of land comprised in the clearance area at New Street and Tanyard Arch; where tenements were recently demolished. I had a glance today at the Order, which is entitled - Waterford County Borough (Tanyard Arch and New Street), Compulsory Purchase Order. The schedule to the order contains a list of the owners or reputed owners, lessees or reputed lessees of the different plots to be acquired.

The owner of Tanyard Arch

There is quite a lot of legal formalities to be complied with in the carrying out of a compulsory purchase order. It involves in the cast of the present order, the sending of registered letters addressed to the various owners or

Read More »

55% of Waterford people are overweight according to On-Line Health Check survey findings

The results of a national on-line health check undertaken by over 5,000 Irish adults and broken down by county were released today. It found that 55% of respondents from Waterford are overweight, with 4% found to be 'dangerously overweight'. 20% of those who completed the on-line health check do no exercise of any kind. The health screen findings have been released to coincide with Health Screening Day, which takes place today as part of Health Action Week, a public awareness event focused on encouraging people to take a proactive approach to their health and wellbeing, supported by VIVAS Health.

The on-line health check, which can be logged onto at www.heatlhaction.ie found that the average alcohol spend is €2267.95 per annum, an average of 14 units per week.

Read More »

Sinn Féin Waterford City Councillor, David Cullinane, has reacted with disgust following the response he received from Health Minister Mary Harney on the issue of MRSA and Hospital Acquired Infections. Cllr Cullinane proposed a motion at the December meeting of the council calling for action from the Minister to deal with the growing spread of MRSA. The motion was unanimously supported by the city council and a copy sent to the Minister. The Minister refused to respond and referred the motion to the HSE. Cllr Cullinane labelled the Minister's continuing buck-passing and hand-washing as disgraceful and disgusting.

Cllr Cullinane said:

"The Minister for Health has ultimate responsibility for the Health Service. Her refusal to respond to any correspondence sent to her office by Waterford City Council is a disgrace. She is treating the people of Waterford with contempt. I recently proposed a

Read More »

Every year about this time, people begin thinking about the New Year and the changes it will bring. Some people make New Year's resolutions to lose weight, start exercising more, work less; others will attempt to quit smoking. Quitting smoking is possibly the single most important thing you can do to improve your health. In light of this, Pfizer have announced details of 'Pfizer No Butts 2008' smoking cessation roadshow, Waterford on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th of January 2008.

With smoking levels in Ireland on the increase, the roadshow aims to capture the attention of smokers who are serious about quitting. The Office of Tobacco Control reports 24% smoking prevalence in Ireland. 7,000 people die from smoking related disease in Ireland every year and smoking is one f the single most preventable causes of illness and death.

'Pfizer No Butts 2008'

Read More »

Bord Bia have launched a Seasonal Recipe Calendar for 2008, including easy to prepare, healthy recipes and a detailed guide to buying seasonal produce. There are a limited number of calendars available free of charge.

Each recipe is categorised based on its complexity, with estimated cooking times and key nutritional information also supplied. There is a wide variety of recipes to choose from including Lam Pizza with Yoghurt and Mint; Paprika Spiced Pork Belly and Apple and Whiskey tart.

Teresa Brophy, Ireland Market Manager, Bord Bia commented "The featured recipes range from desserts and smoothies to salads and traditional roast dishes. The step by step guide ensures the recipes are easy to prepare and if consumers follow the seasonal guide, they can be assured that they are cooking with the best possible ingredients."

For your free calendar call Bord Bia on (01) 6142247

Read More »

SET A GOAL

If you don't know where to go how can you get there?

It is important to set yourself realistic targets. Increasing your exercise intensity slightly every other week and/or cutting out sugar are important. Keep reminding yourself of your goal and how important it is to you and your long-term health.

KEEP A DIARY

This is a simple and easy way of keeping track of your progress. It can also be an excellent way of staying motivated. Simply write down any exercise you do and anything that passes your lips write down. AVOID the scales - use your clothes and how you feel as feedback for how your progressing.

STAY ACTIVE THROUGHouT THE DAY

Doing your everyday activities can help you! You could burn 207 calories a day by doing the housework and 350 calories by gardening for an hour. Not only could

Read More »

As part of this year's Change One Thing campaign, Boots is advising people to 'Know Your Figure' in order to encourage a sensible approach to weight management. In reaction to the size zero phenomenon, Boots Georges Court Mall Waterford has installed a BMI machine to give customers a realistic guide as to what a healthy weight should be. To supplement the BMI machines, Boots has developed healthy weight action plans that include questionnaires, nutrition, fitness and motivational tips.

BMI combines height and weight measurements to get results that are specific to different body shapes and sizes. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 reflects a healthy weight, however this isn't always reflected in today's 'size zero' society.

The campaign has been developed through consultation with leading health, nutrition and psychology experts, including best selling author on body image, Dr Linda Papadopoulos.

"People can have

Read More »

WIT Guitar Society and classical guitarist Michael O'Toole in concert on Wednesday 23rd January at 7pm in the Garter Lane Theatre, Waterford. Tickets priced €15 (€10 Garter Lane Friends, students & children) are available from Garter Lane Box Office on 051-855038.

The concert and launch of the ninth Waterford New Week Festival also coincides with the launch of the Contemporary Music Centre's exhibition The Art of Sound.

Michael O'Toole has performed in ensemble with such groups as the Opera Theatre Company, the RTE Concert Orchestra, the Dublin Guitar Quartet and The National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. Michael will perform some wonderful music by Rodrigo, Alberto Ginastera, Leo Brouwer, Nikita Koshkin and Andrew York.

"I was knocked out by his performances… he revealed a talent for telling stories with his hands and weaving meticulous trains of musical thought, delivered with a fair

Read More »