Waterford Today | Waterford's free weekly newspaper

The traditional Rose has topped the polls as the nation’s favourite flower, according to the results of a national representative TNS mrbi survey released by Bord Bia, host of Bloom 2007, Ireland’s largest and most spectacular gardening showcase.

The survey into the nation's gardening habits indicates a soaring interest in horticulture, with 71% of respondents having visited a florist or garden centre at some stage in the past twelve months, women being more frequent visitors than men.

Further research conducted by Bord Bia indicated that consumer spend in independent garden centres doubled in the last 4 years to ?240m with DIY store sales growing to ?147m in the past year. Six and half million purchases of outdoor plants and flowers were made in the year ending April 2006,

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Rosanna Davison (former Miss World) and Aine Ni Dhroighneain (aka Tara from Ros na Run) met with the ISPCA (Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) recently with "Rua", an Irish Red Setter to encourage women to participate in the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon to be held on Bank Holiday Monday 4th June this year. "Rua" (meaning red haired) was delighted with the celebrity attention received by the ladies.

The ISPCA theme this year is "Give animal’s a voice by walking or running for them" so if you have not already chosen a charity, please contact Carmel at the ISPCA on (043) 25933 or email carmel@ispca.ie for a marathon pack to join Rosanna and Aine with the ISPCA team on 4th June.

The women who participate and

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The Marketing Institute, South East Region, held its annual Ball at Faithlegg House Hotel on Friday last. Marked as one of the premier social occasions in the South East calendar, the MII SE Ball has always been a popular event. This year’s themed Masquerade Ball, which was sponsored by WLRfm and Faithlegg House Hotel, was no exception and as high profile as ever attracting many business professionals and marketers from a broad cross-section of industry right across the South East.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Davy Daniels, said "marketing as a whole has a huge impact on successful businesses and there is an integral

relationship between marketing activity and the successful sale of services and products to customers. It is an integral part of an active economy,

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Son of James and Julie Murray of Tramore, Richard has been dancing competitively for just four-and-a-half years and has already captured four Munster championships; two all-Ireland titles and a British title, in addition to the world title which he took in Glasgow in March.

Richard is a pupil at the Higgins Academy of Irish Dancing, Waterford and attends Gl?r na Mara National School in Tramore. He won the world title from 46 entrants from all over the world and was expected to do very well as he had come third in the world in the same competition last year.

Richard’s older sister, Frances, has also been an Irish dancer and he went along to a Feis Ceoil to see her dance and was bitten by the bug. Coming up to major competitions, he practices for hours on a specially-installed dance floor in

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Paramedics based at Waterford ambulance station were awarded bronze medals and a certificate of bravery from the chairman of the Bravery Deeds Council, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, in Leinster house last week.

Those attending the ceremony were told the details of their courageous actions. On the morning of 31st August 1993 Mr Tom Maher (Paramedic) rescued a man from a septic tank in Passage east Co Waterford. Regretfully, Tom passed away in the last year. His award was collected by his wife Anne on his behalf.

Tom Maher’s colleague Mr Jim O’Sullivan (Emergency Medical Technician) also partook in the rescue. The two were partnered together as an ambulance crew on that date when they were called out to rescue the patient, who unfortunately died subsequently as a result of injuries sustained in this accident before the arrival of the other emergency

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Two WIT students, Gewn Reil and Gerard Mullen are amongst 30 gardners exhibiting gardens at Bloom 2007. Bloom 2007, which is being hosted by Bord Bia and billed as the largest and most spectacular gardening event ever to be staged in Ireland, is taking place over the June Bank holiday weekend in the Phoenix Park. The display gardens, many with interactive features, have been designed and created by Ireland's top designers.

Gwen Reil will graduate this year with a Bachelor of Science from Waterford Institute of Technology. Gwen decided to return to education in 2003 to pursue her long-time passion for plants and gardening. Initially studying horticulture for 2 years in the National Botanic Gardens, she then moved home to her native Waterford to complete her studies. As soon as she finishes studying in May 2007, Gwen intends to set

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A new website for Assisi House Waterford was officially launched by the Deputy Mayor of Waterford Councillor Hilary Quinlan on Tuesday, the 22nd of May, at Assisi House.

The website www.waterfordassisi.com provides information on the range of services available to elderly and socially isolated persons from Waterford city and the surrounding areas to health professionals, community carers and the general public.

As spokesman from Assisi House said "This is another step forward in the continuing development of Assisi House. We now cater for over sixty patrons offering advocacy, a range of activities designed to promote well being and to stimulate active participation by our patrons, entertainment and a balanced daily food menu in a caring and sensitive environment. We hope that Waterford people from all over the world will click on the new website which also features a donation facility using Paypal

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GAA notes by The villager

I guess there are not too many times in Waterford that a

Munster Senior football encounter is as eagerly awaited as the semi-final in Fraher Field, Dungarvan on Sunday next. The reason for all this excitement is the visit of All-Ireland

champions Kerry.

Waterford, having already put up a very determined display in their opening round when they disposed of a much more fancied Clare side, should have absolutely no fears or hang-ups going in to face the pre-

championship favourites. They are the underdog.

They are been given a slim, if in some quarters, no chance. The same scenario that applied in 2006 when the Deise travelled to the powerhouse of the Kingdom and put up one hell of a display. OK! defeat was their lot on that occasion but, you know Cork turned over Kerry

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waterford united 2 - 1 longford town

WATERFORD UNITED stretched their unbeaten run to four games in the Eircom FAI League of Ireland Premier division when holding on to claim a deserved and valuable three points against bottom side Longford Town at the RSC last Friday night. It was the first time that the Blues managed to win a home game against their opponents in eight years of the two teams meeting in the top flight as Vinny Sullivan proved to be the match winner for the home side.

Usually games between Waterford and Longford are dire affairs but this contest started off at a lightning pace as both sides had chances during the opening fifteen minutes. In the first minute, Paul McCarthy tested Michael Dempsey following a Shane Harte pass before Vinny Sullivan met a Harte free kick on eight minutes

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Athletics by the All Rounder

On saturday next the big schools fixture of the season, the Kit Kat All Ireland SEcondary Schools CHampionships will be held in Tullamore with a 9am start and competitions will be going on all day until approximately 6pm. Waterford schools will be very well represented at the fixture and several local boys and girls are expected to challenge for titles in each grade. We wish all the athletes the very best.

First events are field events and these are Inter and Senior Girls Hammer, Inter Girls High Jump, Junior Boys Hammer, Junior Boys Long Jump, Junior Girls Pole Vault. First track events are the Walking races at 10am and they go on until 11.15am approx. The 3000 metres for Intermediate Girls is at 12 noon followed by the Senior Girls 3000 metres. Full programme on Athletics

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TOMORROW (Thursday) the electorate goes to the polls in what is being hailed as one of the most closely fought general election campaigns for decades.

On Saturday last An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, T.D. made a whistle stop tour of the City where he held a press conference on the street and spoke to the public in City Square. He then went on a walkabout before visiting Lisduggan Shopping Centre where he met members of the public. On Tuesday, Enda Kenny, Fine Gael leader also paid a whistle stop visit to the City where he visited the Youthreach project in O’Connell Street followed by a walkabout. He then went to Waterford Regional Hospital and patients. Mr. Kenny then travelled to Dungarvan Shopping Centre. Right up to the very last minute canvassers from all the parties carried out an intensive canvass of

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AN EXCITING archaeological find dating to c.1700 B.C. was unearthed by licensed archaeologist, Orla Scully during test excavations on the Airport Road Realignment (R708) at Monamintra crossroads on Tuesday the 15th of May. The find comprises of an early Bronze Age collared urn burial, which contains the cremated remains of at least two individuals, a child and an adult.

According to Freya Smith, Assistant Archaeologist of the Tramore House Regional Design Office, "Originally the urn would have been slightly taller but the base has been damaged. The collar of the urn is decorated by two bands of criss-cross motifs separated by a series of lines encircling the entire circumference of the urn".

Freya explained that, "Orla was carrying out archaeological test excavations on behalf of Waterford County Council in an area that had been highlighted by previous non-intrusive archaeological investigations

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SHAMROCK ROVERS 1 - 1 WATERFORD UNITED (Match abandoned after 52 mins)

Stop the Lights! In an age when we are led to believe that everything is coming up roses in League of Ireland football a dodgy floodlight pylon which came loose at the foundations due to the strong breeze brought a halt to proceedings in Tolka Park on Friday night last. Last month a game between Shelbourne and Limerick had to be switched to Whitehall because the playing surface was deemed unplayable. Because of last Friday’s fiasco, Saturday’s match between Shelbourne and Finn Harps had to be postponed.

Many pundits and indeed clubs have been critical of Tolka Park this season and there is no doubt that the trouble Shelbourne have got themselves into is the reason why the old stadium has begun to fall apart. An engineer who supports Shamrock

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Speaking at the presentation of St. Brigid's Family and Community Centre's Annual Report Councillor Cha O'Neill, the Mayor warmly thanked St. Brigid's for their great work for the City of Waterford.

 

He was aware of the many services delivered for people in difficulty in the city and said that the Centre filled a great need in many areas. Mayor thanks St. Brigid's Family and Community Centre Dick Hickey, Director of the Centre, said that the Centre continued to develop and has recently introduced a whole suite of services for young people suffering loss either through bereavement, parental separation or divorce. In conjunction with other social partners, The Centre was developing an Action Plan to improve quality of life for people living in the inner

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According to Sinn Féin election candidate Cllr. David Cullinane women are bearing a disproportionate burden of the social inequalities in modern Ireland. Cllr. Cullinane believes that women are subjected to unequal treatment across a range of issues, such as unequal pay, the unfair financial treatment of carers and single parents, the inadequate funding made available for support centres such as the Rape Crisis Centre and Womens Refuges. He also states that "Sinn Féin has pledged to increase Maternity Leave to 52 weeks, and also to introduce Paternity Leave of 4 weeks to enable men to support their partners in the first few crucial weeks of a child’s life". Cllr. Cullinane is adamant that these inequalities must be addressed. He claims that what has been set down in legislation does not translate into reality, "Despite equal pay legislation, women’s wages as

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