Mayors Christmas Fund

Each year in Clonmel there is the Mayor's Christmas Fund for the Needy and when I was Mayor in 2003/2004 I introduced the concept of having a women's-only sponsored walk. At that time we had a significant following and I'm happy to say that the tradition has since continued. Last Sunday at 3pm I lead this years "Ladies 'round the Lake" fundraiser for the Mayors Christmas Fund. The walk was really well supported on the day and I am delighted that people who worked very hard to promote and support the event were among the many prizewinnners of great spot prizes at the raffle afterwards in the Clonmel Park Hotel. I am delighted that this was the case because it means that these wonderful supporters to whom I am so grateful are getting something back too.

I would also like to thank the many sponsors of such fantastic prizes, especially the Clonmel Park Hotel and staff who not only sponsored 1st prize of a week-end away but also gave us a great reception on our return and provided us, some of whom were a little bit jaded and many who were ready to go for a victory lap, with very welcome tea, coffee and biscuits.

I would also like to thank Mr. Brian Jones, Supervalu, Clonmel who does trojan work for all of Clonmel in charitable works behind the scenes and who also supported us with our 2nd Prize by giving us a very impressive Hamper.

Our 3rd prize of 2 bottles of whiskey and brandy was sponsored by Mr. John Higgins of Mulcahys. I would also like to thank the many other businesses and shops that I frequently visit for their generosity with spot prizes in support of this very special event. I have to confess that I would dearly love to have won most of the prizes myself but in that respect, luck desterted me on the day!!

Would the real Phil Prendergast please stand up

I had some trouble setting up the blog starting with opening up a gmail account with my name, it was already taken. I wondered had someone (like my son) set up an account for me without me knowing, at that stage it did not occur to me that there might be another Phil Prendergast. The further along the setting up the blog road I went I realised I did have a namesake Phil Prendergast blogging away in the states.

Ah so that explained why I couldn't register philprendergast.blogspot.com or phil.prendergast as my gmail account. Coincidentially Phil (not me) is a pastor in the New Hope Church Community in Ontario, Canada, being a pastor is a vocation like my own field of nursing.

This week has been busy for me, the mayorality ensures I have always something to do, places to be. Today I opened an exhibition at the Bridge Centre, at the Cashel Road Clonmel. The exhibition focused on disabilities organised by the South Tipperary Disability Forum and the main objective was to highlight awareness about the services available to people with disabilities in the South Tipp area.

As I write this I am supposed to be doing a leaflet drop in Carrick on Suir, however a busy afternoon of meetings has prevented me from this which is a bit of a relief considering the nasty rain outside where you wouldn't put a fox out of a hen house.

First post

This is a test post to try out my blog.


Cllr Sean Ó hArgáin, the Labour Party Leader Deputy Pat Rabbitte and myself at the World Ploughing Championships held in Tullow, County Carlow