COUNCIL workers, fire service personnel, gardai and volunteers must be congratulated for their work on Friday last in diverting a serious flooding threat in the lower Mallow town region.

Last Friday Cllr Richard Dempsey, Mallow town mayor, praised the work of all those dealing with the flood situation and he thanked those who gave him an hour-by-hour report on the situation. The mayor also expressed his delight at the success of the flood barriers, which were brought in for use for the first time. Mayor Dempsey regrets the cancellation of the turning on of the Christmas street lights, which was planned for today but had to be deferred to Thursday, December 3 due to the planned national strike and the on-going serious weather conditions this week. The Mayor also announced that two hour free car parking will be in operation over the Christmas period in the town. Meanwhile, the new parking meters which are now seen all over town will come in to operation in January 2010.

Field club to launch journal

Mallow Field Club will launch their new Field Club Journal, Vol 27. on Thursday, December 3 at 8pm at the Arches Bar in Mallow. Canon Gerard Casey P.P. Doneraile will launch this Journal. All are welcome to attend.

Christmas fair

Baltydaniel National School Christmas Fair will be held on Sunday, December 6 at 2pm. in the school. Christmas crafts, home baking, carol singing, raffle and a special guest appearance by Santa Claus is all part of the days celebrations. Your support will be greatly appreciated and all are welcome. Table Quiz: Baltydaniel NS Parents Association Annual Table Quiz will be held on tonight Thursday, November 26 at Albert's Bar at 9pm. Tables of four cost €40. Great prizes and raffle on the night. The quizmaster is Noel O'Connor.

Speakeasy Toastmasters

The Speakeasy Toastmasters Club hosted a very successful Schools public speaking contest last Thursday night. There were five schools represented, Davis College, Patrician Academy, St. Mary's Secondary school from Mallow, Nagle Rice Secondary School Doneraile and Boherbue Comprehensive School. The standard was very high and the speeches were very enjoyable. After a long time deliberating the judges arrived with a result. The best school prize went to St. Mary's Secondary School. In the best speaker section the winner was Marie Cogan of St. Mary's, in second place Brian O'Regan of the Patrician Academy and in third place Eoin O'Connor of Davis College. The club's next meeting will take place on tonight Thursday, November 26. The meeting will begin at 8pm and finish at 10pm and takes place in the Munster room in the Hibernian Hotel. Please note the change of room for this meeting. Everybody is welcome and no guests will be asked to speak. STRICTLY CASH FOR YANA: The Lodge Bar Mallow presents Strictly Cash on Friday, with the Johnny Cash Tribute Band. Doors are open at 9 pm and tickets at €15 are available on 02253915. This event is a fundraiser for the North Cork branch of YANA (You Are Not Alone) a national organisation against domestic violence. GAA LOTTO: Wheelspinner Bronagh O'Flynn won €75 in the Mallow GAA Members Weekly Lotto draw which was held in Carrigoon on Tuesday, November 17. The €30 lucky dip winners were Sean Thompson (Denny's) c/o Anne O'Neill. Tim O'Riordan, Avondale Park c/o J.O'Connell, Tom Linehan c/o Maureen's Bar and Ber (Denny's) c/o Anne O'Neill. The numbers drawn were 1 - 4 - 7 -11. The jackpot is currently at €5,800. Spinning the wheel on Tuesday, November 24 was Patricia O'Callaghan c/o Club. ON Q PRODUCTIONS: Robin Hood and His Merry Women by On Q Productions will take to the stage at Mallow Youth Centre from Wednesday, December 9 to Saturday, December 12. Pre-booking for tickets is now available and for groups of 20 or more booking Wednesday or Thursday nights all tickets are only €9. Tickets for Friday and Saturday nights are priced at €12 for children and €15 for adults and are now on sale. Any groups wishing to pre-book tickets should contact Danny on 086-2558199 or Noreen on 087-9226432. GIRLS BASKETBALL: Success continues for the U/12 Mallow Basketball Girls team with a glorious win last Sunday over St. Anthony's by a scoreline of 47 to 14. The team lines out as Sarah O'Keeffe, Sinead O'Mahony, Megan O'Connor, Triona Carroll, Ciara Carroll, Rebecca O'Riordan, Tara Buckley, Grace Flynn, Ashling Finn and Karen Lenihan. The U/12 team line out against Crosshaven at 6.15pm on tonight Thursday, November 26 at Mallow Youth Centre while the U/14 side take on Crosshaven at 7.15pm. Support for these two matches will be appreciated. KNOCK NIGHT VIGIL: In conjunction with the Knock Night Vigil on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception a coach will depart from the Church of the Resurrection on Monday, December 7 at 2.30 pm and will return on Tuesday, December 8 with arrival in Mallow at 9.30 am. The fee is €20 per person. For further information please contact Deirdre at 087 6319255 or 022 55907 or Caroline on 021 4884443 or Barry at 087 6377169. MALLOW ICA: The Mallow ICA annual Christmas dinner will be held in Blarney on Thursday, December 10. For further information please contact Peggy on 022-22054. AL-ANON: The Al-Anon Family Group will hold an open information meeting to the public on Monday, November 30 at the Millstreet GAA Hall at 8.30pm. If you or someone close to you are affected by the use of alcohol this meeting will be very beneficial. Tea and refreshments will be served and all are welcome. CARDIAC SUPPORT GROUP: The North Cork Cardiac Support Group will be holding its annual Church gate collection at both Churches in Mallow on this weekend, Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29. Your support will be greatly appreciated. GAA 45: First, Billy and Richard. Second, Denny Fitz, Jim O' Sullivan, Joe Sheehy, Mary McDonnell, Mattie Sheehan and Pat Kearney. Ladies, Eva Lane and Margaret Buckley. Mix, Ned Cremin, Patsy Lenehan, Tess Mannix and Norman Bolster. Gents, Mick O'Callaghan and Stephen Moylan. Raffle, Michael and Partner, Jerry Cronin, Kathleen Walsh and Mathew and Patrick. Cards every Wednesday evening in Carrigoon, commencing at 9pm. All are welcome.

The late Cathy O'Shea

The news of the unexpected death of Catherine (Cathy) O'Shea, Meadow Grove in Mallow was received with great sadness by the community on Sunday, November 22. Originally from Gurranabraher in Cork. Cathy was a well liked woman who was popular with all who knew her. She is survived by her husband Martin, sons Martin, Tadgh and John, daughter Jennifer, brothers Noel and Pat, relatives, neighbours and many friends. Cathy was laid to rest in St. Michael's Cemetery, Blackrock after 11am Requiem Mass in the Church of the Ascens ion , Gurranabraher on Wednesday, November 25. To the O'Shea family we express our deepest condolences.

- with Eugene Cosgrove E-mail ecosg@indigo.ie