Marcella wins big in Delvin GAA"s Annual Draw

Marcella Caffrey is the lucky winner of €3,250 in the 2008 Delvin GAA Annual Draw, which took place on Saturday night last, December 6.The Addinstown resident won the top prize after buying a ticket sold by Sean O"Brien.The second prize of €1,000 was won by Delvin"s Walter Casserly, who bought the ticket from his brother Paul.Third prize of €250 went to Ann Flood and Ann Murphy (seller Sean O"Brien), while the five fourth prizes of €100 were won by Catherine McElhinney (seller Chris Darby), Michael Reilly (seller Mel Newman), James Brady (seller Peter Kelleghan), Pat Fox (Jnr, seller Claire Fox) and Tom Keyes (seller Mark Kelleghan).Seller prizes of €50 apiece went to Jesse Dalton and Sean Burke.The Delvin GAA committee would like to thank all those who supported the Annual Draw, and wish all the club"s supporters a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.Camogie Club AGMThe Annual General Meeting of Delvin Camogie Club will take place on Friday next, December 12 at 8pm in St. Patrick"s Hall, Delvin. All club officers, members, adult players and parents of young players are requested to attend, and new members are welcome.Friendship Club"s "Mr. Santa" fundraiser this weekendThe sequel to a novel Christmas event which captured the imagination of the people of Delvin and surrounding districts last year will take place this weekend.In December 2007, the inaugural Mr. Claus contest saw grown men from the Delvin area throw on their Santa costume to vie for the title in what is fast becoming Delvin"s premier festive event.The Mr. Claus contest, which is run by Delvin Friendship Club, is open to patrons from all over Westmeath, and gives members of the public to opportunity to find out the 'real' Mr. Claus from among a gang of impostors dressed in red suits.If you think you have what it takes, and if you think you can pass all of the tasks set down by the organisers" very diligent team of experts, then don your red suit and come along to the Camán Inn, Delvin on Saturday, December 13 at 8pm, where plenty of 'ceol, ól agus craic will be guaranteed'.Last year"s champion, Larry Murtagh of Ballyhealy, is giving up his time to come back from the North Pole to hand over his title to this year"s champion. The organisers have extended their thanks to Larry for his work in promoting the event for the past year.All are welcome to take part in the fun and frolics of the forthcoming contest, and a raffle and auction will also take place on the night. If you would like to extend your support for the event, contact Michael Leonard on (044) 9664484 or John Donlon on (087) 9090774.Plans to move Clonmellon monument?Westmeath County Council will look at the possibility of moving the Walter Raleigh Memorial at Killua, Clonmellon to the Market Place in Clonmellon village, Fine Gaels" Cllr. Frank McDermott was informed at last week"s meeting of the Council"s Coole Area Committee.Cllr. McDermott asked the Council to include the move in its Budget for the forthcoming year.Grahame Niven, Coole Area Engineer, said that he understood that the memorial is a 'substantial stone unit' in a remote location, which would cost 'a considerable amount of money' to relocate.He said that he would inspect the monument, determine and cost, and advise Cllr. McDermott as to what is involved, and whether or not in his opinion such expenditure can be justified.'That"s a very sound answer,' Cllr. McDermott remarked. 'It"s a substantial piece of work, and the local tourist organisation in Clonmellon felt that it would have a greater advantage in the middle of the square.'St. Tola"s NS carol serviceThe students and teachers of St. Tola"s National School, Delvin will hold a carol service at the Church of the Assumption, Delvin on Tuesday of next week, December 16 at 8pm.On the following night at 8pm, the school"s annual Christmas concert will take place in St. Patrick"s Hall, Delvin. All are welcome to attend.A reminder that until December 23, lines will remain on sale for the school"s raffle of the 8ft tall Christmas stocking. Each line costs €3, and already the draw has attracted a significant amount of interest.Christmas ConfessionsA pre-Christmas prayer service and confessions will take place in the Church of the Assumption, Delvin on Monday, December 22 at 7.30pm, and in the Church of the SS Peter and Paul, Clonmellon at 8.30pm. In Athboy on Tuesday, December 23, a prayer service and confessions will take place at 7.30pm, with visiting priests in attendance.SVP CollectionThe St. Vincent de Paul will collect outside the Church of the Assumption, Delvin and the Church of St. Livinus, Killulagh on Saturday night and Sunday morning as part of its national church gate collection. Your support would be appreciated.Maintenance for Archerstownto Clonmellon roadWestmeath County Council will carry out standard maintenance on the road between Archerstown and Clonmellon, Cllr. Paddy Hill (Fianna Fáil) was told at last Friday"s meeting of the Council"s Coole Area Committee.The road had been repaired by the Council two years ago, and now look set to get some more attention, subject to an inspection by the Area Engineer.No money for Archerstown road signsClonmellon"s Cllr. Eugene Dolan (Labour) has asked Westmeath County Council to install road signs or markings to ensure motorist safety at the junction at the Hurler"s Rest pub, Archerstown.Grahame Niven, the Coole Area Engineer, informed him that he will inspect the junction to determine what, if any, remedial work is required for the signage and road markings. However, he added that there this no money available for any work here during 2008.