MILLSTREET SHOW CONFIRMS ITS RANKING AS EUROPE'S BIGGEST PONY SHOW: Hundreds descended on Millstreet's Green Glens Complex over the bank holiday weekend for the Owner's Pony and Young Riders Charity Show.

Dubbed as Europe's biggest pony show, Millstreet has garnered a deserved reputation as the friendliest equestrian showcase and the latest staging rubberstamped the status of the North Cork location.

The 25th hosting confirmed the ongoing interest in equestrian sport as a recreation amongst children and teenagers evident by more than 3,200 entries accepted for the three-day hosting that commenced on Friday and continuing through Saturday and a 15hour programme on Sunday concluded a memorable staging.

Carrying a prizefund of €20,000, favourable weather added to the enjoyment of the extensive programme, early rain on Saturday replaced by beautiful sunshine and an autumn breeze for the closing day.

That allowed the majority number of competitions to be run off in outdoor all weather arenas and it created a fantastic atmosphere through the spacious complex and confirmed the status of staging as the biggest pony show.

The feature 1.3 Grand Prix involved a 14-way jump off with Galway's Michael Duffy storming home in a clear aboard Killard Horizon.

International Hayley Dunne set a blistering pace on Kiltormer Grey. Watergrasshill's Shane O'reilly took the lead with Master Glen Bar in a fast clear of 32.93. Next into the arena saw Duffy clip 0.53 of a second off the lead for a winning run.

The Young Riders 1.2 Grand Prix attracted a mammoth field and in a jump off, Claremorris'a Shane Goggins and Pageant Prince scorched round to earn the accolades from long time leader Jeremy Sweetnam from Bandon.

Midleton's Simon Mccarthy and Westside Diamond 18 enjoyed a brilliant win in the 148 1.10m, enjoying a double clear and setting an unstoppable pace to deny a strong challenge.

Proceeds from the three day event go towards a series of charities with this year's event expected to reach a total of €250,000.

The show really featured something for everybody in the 60-strong event programme. From the Starter Stakes to the Sunday Grand Prix competitions, patrons were never be bored and the proceeds will help fund a number of worthy causes.

A mammoth programme culminated on Millstreet Pipe Band heading a parade of retiring pony riders. Completing the schedule, the traditional highlight saw those retiring pony riders don various disguises in a fitting fancy dress finale to the hectic weekend programme.

GAA: Unwanted used clothing which are in neat, clean in good and wearable can be put to good use. It's a Millstreet GAA Club fundraiser seeking a collection of new, unwanted and used clothing on Monday next between 9am and 3pm in Millstreet GAA Community Hall.

To meet popular demand from the public, the event returns after an initial staging last month. Households are encouraged to support, accepted will be unwanted clothing, footwear, handbags, and stuffed toys. Mobile phones also sought but presented in a separate bag.

A special function lauding some successful teams takes place on Friday, November 11, in the Wallis Arms Hotel. Apart from applauding winning teams, the staging will salute Club Person of the Year and Young Player of the Year for the newly inaugurated Tadgh Moynihan Memorial Trophy. Tickets are available from Michael Cleary.

GRAVE YARD CEREMOMIES: A short service for the dead will also take place in each of the graveyards on Sunday, November 13, after which the candles can be lit for placing on the graves. Candles are available in local shops.

The Cullen Graveyard Ceremony is immediately after the 10.15am Mass in both graveyards. Millstreet Church Graveyard operates immediately after the 11.30am Mass, St Mary's Cemetery at 12.30pm and Drishane Cemetery at 12.45pm.

TAEKWON DO CLUB: A large number of Millstreet Taekwon Do students attended the Friendship Tournament in Kanturk recently. The students had great success in six categories, patterns, sparring, team patterns, straight leg kick, jumping high kick and splits.

There was a huge amount of competitors present from different clubs and students from the Millstreet club came away with many medals on the day. Some students were competing for the first time and were delighted with their own performances.

LTV: LTV2 Millstreet is back on air from Thursday, November 10, at 10pm with repeat programmes on Sundays at 8pm. Test transmissions will take place before the broadcast season begins. The channel will be available on UHF Channels 48 and 50 and also on VHF Channel 12.

Some of the programmes will in addition be uploaded on the Millstreet website.the LTV2 Supporters Club will help to fund the voluntary, community-based local television service. LTV1 (Muskerry area) is also back on air from Wednesday, November 9.

This season's programmes features local news happenings and share recordings from various locations within the local community to the greater Duhallow and Sliabh Luachra and further afield to the National Ploughing Championships and Britanny.

GLEN THEATRE: The autumn drama presentation by the award winning Glen Theatre is up and running on this Friday and Sunday nights at 8.30pm with the group presenting two plays.

On offer is an one act comedy Last Tango in the Glen directed by Noreen Duggan with cast including John Cahill, Sinead Murphy, Liz Byrnes and Martin O'riordan.

The second play titled 'A wake in the West' is a short three act comedy directed by Tadhg O'keeffe featuring a cast of Caroline Murphy, Caroline Dennehy, Trish Moynihan, Maria O'sullivan, Joe O'flynn, Dan Joe O'keeffe, Ger Kelly and John Cronin.

This week's performances operate on this Friday and Sunday with curtains up at 8.30pm nightly. Bookings can be made to the Glen Theatre box office at 029-56239.

MACRA: Well done to the Millstreet Macra novice debating team on reaching the county semifinal stage where they defeated a very strong Glanmire team to reach the last four. Team members consisted of Rebecca Enright, Michael O'riordan and James Kelleher. Additionally, James received the best speaker award.

DAY CARE CENTRE: Millstreet Day Care Centre provides a meal service for those who are not in a position to cook regularly for themselves. The centre caters for diabetics, coeliacs, low fat and other special diets.

Meals comprising soup, dinner and dessert can be booked on a long or short term basis and delivered piping hot to the subscriber's door. Further information on the service is available from Kathleen or Sheila at 029-70926.