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By Waterford City & County Council

Webinar : ‘Raising Intuitive Eaters’ with paediatric dietitian

Free Zoom webinar on ‘Raising Intuitive Eaters’ with Paediatric Dietitian, Jenny McNulty on Saturday 22nd October at 11am.Register for free here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/…/raising-intuitive-eaters…

When you are eating with your child, do you notice when your child decides when they have enough to eat? How do you react? Do you encourage your child to eat more?

If your child eats when they are hungry and stops eating when they feel full, this is called intuitive eating. Their brain is in tune with their tongue and stomach. They recognise what foods they enjoy and rely on internal hunger and satiety cues to determine when and how much they eat.

Feeding on demand, identifying the cues, and trusting your child’s ability to recognise hunger and satiety are the key steps to retain intuitive eating.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if your child could retain the skills to eat intuitively? Join us on Saturday 22nd October at 11am where Paediatric Dietitian Jenny McNulty will delve further into Raising Intuitive Eaters.Jenny McNulty is a CORU registered Senior Paediatric Dietitian currently based in Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street.

Places are strictly limited. The webinar format means that your screen is not on so you can relax from wherever you join from! Questions are submitted via the chat box or on discussion at the end.

This webinar is part of the Waterford Healthy Ireland at your Library initiative. For more information, please go to our website at http://waterfordlibraries.ie/healthy-ireland-library/

For more information, please phone 058 21141 or email library@waterfordcouncil.ie#HealthyIrelandatYourLibrary #HealthyWaterford #KeepWell #EatWell 

By Waterford City & County Council

10th Birthday Celebratory Programme announced for Winterval 2022

10th Birthday Celebratory Programme announced for Winterval 2022 plus Ireland’s First Christmas Parade

Waterford will host the 10th annual Winterval Festival from November 18th to December 23rd 2022 and in addition details of the country’s first Christmas parade have been unveiled alongside the festival’s biggest programme of events yet.

The festival will commence at 5 p on November 18th with the arrival of Santa Claus as part of Ireland’s first Christmas parade. The parade will traverse through the city centre coming to a stop at the main stage on Michael Street where the lights will be switched on, marking the beginning of the festivities in Waterford City.

The organisers of the 10th annual festival have planned a ‘10th Birthday’ celebration for each weekend of the festival with unique highlights set to include a Jingle Bells Christmas Cycle, a Christmas Tractor Parade, A Blue Light Parade with all of the emergency services, SuirCon Comic Conference and BuskAid with proceeds going to Tintean Housing Association.

There is also a tonne of free events on the programme, these include a gigantic and magical talking postbox where boys and girls can post their Christmas letters but also be entertained by an elf post collection show each weekend, a hall of magic mirrors and a host of free children’s workshops, a free shadow puppet show plus the magic lights of the New Street Garden trail filled with wonderous displays for families to explore. The Winterval light show will be projected onto a magical purpose-built castle placed as the entry point to the magical kingdom that is Winterval, this will be on offer every half hour and includes special effects which are a sight to behold.

The Winterval firm favourites will also be on offer across the city from the ice rink on the city’s Quayside to the vintage Ferris wheel at Arundel Square, a vintage carousel, the Waterford Eye is also back as is a reimagined Winterval Mini Express train and in addition, there are some brand new elements including a virtual ride in Santa’s sleigh plus a Wizard and Dragon interactive exhibition which offers the thrill of seeing fictitious characters brought to life through simulations, gigantic animatronics and visuals.

Santa will be taking centre stage at the festival in the heart of the city on Broad Street. He will be ensconced in Santa’s Central Station where a band of merry elves will lead little ones to the door of Santa’s magical cabin and families can meander through Santa’s city centre installation, taking pictures with photo scenes along the way.

There will be live music on stage each weekend in Waterford’s cultural quarter featuring a mix of community and professional acts serving as the perfect backdrop to the festival market.

The Winterval Christmas market will be set out in a series of attractive wooden chalets through the spine of Ireland’s oldest city into the cultural quarter – spanning the Viking city from George’s Street to Hanover Street and onto Gladstone Street and all in the midst of the Winterval family fun attractions. The market will connect with Waterford Crafts at Garter Lane Gallery, all-encompassing a variety of over 100 food, drinks crafts and gift producers and creators.

Waterford’s heritage takes prime position with Déise Medieval will host a traditional Viking Settlement where festivalgoers can hark back in time and enjoy the real-life smells, foods and experiences of Viking life during the festival season back when Waterford was first established as Ireland’s oldest City.

Brand new and novel elements include an opportunity for visitors to book a date for their doggie with Santa Paws plus the Gerbola Circus will be hosting a festive circus show each weekend.

A Winterval by night programme of will be on offer at The Reg alongside their World Cup fan zone, plus Christmas concerts at the Cathedral and music at Waterford Crystal.

Speaking at the programme launch, co-directors Trevor Darmody and John Grubb say, “Winterval is part continental Christmas Market and part Lapland and this year we are very excited to unveil the largest celebration of the festival yet for the 10th birthday of Winterval. Winterval is the largest celebration of the festive season in Ireland and this year there is a trail through Ireland’s oldest city offering over 50 different events and activities with 14 of those events on offer free of charge.  This is a festival, which is on a comparable basis to the best continental festivals and it had been reduced over the last couple of years due to the pandemic; however, Winterval 2022 is filled with festive cheer and it is set to be the biggest festival yet.”

The Winterval festival is supported by Waterford City and County Council, Bausch + Lomb for Winterval Illuminates, Southern Regional Assembly, sponsors of Reflection – Magic Mirrors at the Apple Market Zinnia (formerly SE2), sponsors of Santa’s VR Sleigh Ride, Guinness, House of Waterford Crystal, SmartPly , Expressway, official transport partners of Winterval, City Square Waterford, sponsors of Santa’s Express Train, Waterford Credit Union, sponsors of The Garden Glows at the Bishop’s Palace, 7up and Port of Waterford.
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The full Winterval Festival programme is available to view and book online at www.winterval.ie

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Telephone Outage, tomorrow Friday 21st

Waterford Council’s telephone system will be unavailable due to essential maintenance on Friday 21st October 2022 from 8am to 6pm.  During that time, calls will be directed to our out-of-hours answering service.  Automated phone payments will not be available.

Customers can still contact Waterford Council via the email contact@waterfordcouncil.ie or via social media, as normal and our online services, including online payments, will not be affected.  

Our Customer Service Offices will remain open. 

Waterford Council apologies for any inconvenience caused.

By Waterford City & County Council

Swap for the Swap … as part of ReUse month

We all accumulate items during the course of our lives that we have outgrown or no longer have use for, e.g. sporting equipment, school uniforms, clothes etc.

Why not hold a local swap event and help your community become more sustainable? Reusing our items is a positive climate action that we can all do. Follow our ten simple steps to running your own swap event on https://waterfordcouncil.ie/departments/environment/waste-management/index.htm 

You will also find posters on our website for you to print out and use at your swap events. Let’s get swapping!

By Waterford City & County Council

Fire Safety Week : How do you Plug In ?

National Fire Safety Week is taking place from Monday 17th October to Sunday 23rd October 2022 to raise the profile of fire safety in Ireland.

How do you Plug In ?

  • Save energy! – and keep your family safe too. When you’re not using it, turn it off.
  • Overloaded sockets? – not a good idea

 

By Waterford City & County Council

Fire Safety Week : Smoke Alarm Day!

National Fire Safety Week is taking place from Monday 17th October to Sunday 23rd October 2022 to raise the profile of fire safety in Ireland.

The theme this year is “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives – Have you a plan if yours goes off!”

  • Any day is a good day to test your smoke alarms. Just press to ‘TEST’.
  • Where should your smoke alarms be? – in the stairs and hallways as a minimum.

 

By Waterford City & County Council

Orange Weather Warning : Rain for Waterford

Heavy rain on Tuesday night 18th, Wednesday 19th and Wednesday night with the possibility of thundery downpours, will lead to localised flooding.  Disruption is likely.

  • Event: Orange Rain
  • Severity: Orange
  • Valid from: Tue. 18/10 @ 10PM
  • Valid to: Thu. 20/10 @ 12AM
  • Affected Areas: Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow

By Waterford City & County Council

Two Waterford projects granted funding under Community Safety Innovation Fund 2022

It has been announced that the new Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership (WLCSP) has been successful in its recent application to the Community Safety Innovation Fund 2022, securing over €66,000 in the latest round of funding. 

The initiative aims to bring together statutory services, the voluntary and community sector, local councillors and community members in tackling community safety issues locally. The Waterford partnership is a pilot in Waterford City and County by Department of Justice and is supported by Waterford Council with the aim to replace the previous Joint Policing Committee structure.

Having submitted four applications to the Community Safety Innovation Fund 2022, the WLCSP were delighted to be included in Minister Helen McEntee’s recent announcement of €2 million in grants which sees the reinvesting the proceeds of crime back into communities. 

The independent Chair of the WLCSP, Mr Sean Aylward was delighted that an application for a Community Safety Project in Dungarvan has received €41,403 and that the Northwest Suburbs Community Action Plan also received a total of €25,000. According to Mr Aylward,

“The Dungarvan Community Project will lend itself to meaningful reskilling in the hospitality industry whilst also providing horticultural activities for youths and young adults to divert away from anti-social behaviour. It is anticipated that this project will be advanced with the support of the partners including Waterford Council and the Waterford & Wexford Education & Training Board.  

The stakeholder-driven Northwest Suburbs Community Action Plan will be the first step in providing a path forward to promote community safety and social cohesion in the combined Carrickpherish and Gracedieu areas of the city. This funding will allow us to pool the resources of all stakeholders within the partnership to the maximum benefit of safer communities. It’s a fantastic start for Waterford communities to see the proceeds of crime reinvested in local projects that improve community safety.”

At the ​announcement, Minister McEntee emphasised that:

“This fund reflects the successes of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau in identifying and seizing the ill-gotten gains of criminals. Equally, people across Ireland are working tirelessly in their communities to prevent crime from taking hold and make their local areas safer. Working together, we will build stronger, safer communities.”

The Portlaw Engages Youth application has been referred to the Youth Justice Team for further consideration and with the fund due to increase by 50% to €3million under Budget 2023, there will be a further opportunity for innovative projects including the Evening & Nightime Economy Purple Flag application.   This is seen as a very positive first year for the pilot project with over €66,000 allocated to Waterford to proactively address crime in the community.

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

4 Waterford projects among beneficiaries as Minister Ryan launches “Pathfinder” Projects

Minister Ryan launches transformative Pathfinder Projects to bring more public transport, walking and cycling options to our villages, towns, and cities by 2025

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan T.D. today launched the Pathfinder Programme of 35 exemplar transport projects to be delivered by local authorities and agencies around the country within the next three years.

The projects are those selected following Minister Ryan’s call to local authorities over the summer to submit their most innovative, transformative plans for public transport, walking and cycling in their areas – the projects that could make the greatest difference to people living in their counties.

The result is a broad variety of projects ranging from national game-changing proposals like making College Green in Dublin car-free to smaller, creative and equally effective projects like a Bus-it-2-school project in Co. Meath or a pilot programme in Co. Leitrim to integrate Local Link with a hackney and community e-bike scheme.

The launch took place in the new Castletymon Library, which is one of the focal points on the proposed Dublin 24 Rapid Build Cycling Network, which will connect the community in South Tallaght with the Luas, Tallaght Town Centre, Tallaght Hospital, five schools and sports communities, running in part through Bancroft Park. The new cycle path will also link onto the Dodder Greenway, with plans to support the local community to access bikes.

Put together, the selected pathfinder projects will begin to transform how we move, work and live across the country. They can be split into five categories:

• National Impact: includes CycleConnects, a national brand coordinating high-quality cycle routes in urban areas.

• Cycle Network/Corridor Proposals: projects such as West Wexford Urban Cycle Network, Sligo Cycle Corridor and Meath Rural Cycleway Rapid Development.

• Public Transport: projects such as Moyross Train Station and Athlone Bus Electrification.

• 15 Minute Neighbourhoods: projects such as the Letterkenny Active Travel Town and Naas Mobility Network and the 5 Cities Active Travel Demonstrators.

• Serving Schools/Universities: projects like the acceleration of the Safe Routes to School Programme, Limerick University Connectivity, BusIT2School in Co. Meath.

• Workshops and Research: includes nationwide Sustainable Mobility Training Workshops and Leitrim “Green Mile” Mobility Pilot.

The Pathfinder Programme is focused on reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector, by enabling the shift to cleaner transport choices. It also aims to bring increased momentum to the delivery of projects at a local level, providing templates that can be replicated and scaled up elsewhere, with a strong emphasis on experimental and innovative approaches.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Ryan said:

“I was delighted with the response to my call to local authorities to participate in the Pathfinder Programme. This first selected list shows clearly that there is a real appetite for change across the country. Shortlisted projects, while all unique, have three key things in common. They are innovative. They are ambitious. And critically, they will be delivered at speed. The Leadership Group through this Pathfinder Programme will continue to engage with all local authorities to ensure momentum and that the lessons and experience of the shortlisted projects are shared for everyone’s benefit.”

“Decarbonising transport presents an enormous challenge, one which requires a fundamental change in how we travel including a shift in our mindset and choices. By 2025 the selected pathfinder projects will be in action, improving the communities in which they will be implemented, and demonstrating to other localities how our system can be transformed. By delivering quickly, and by striking out on a path which others will follow, they will help to drive implementation of the Government’s Sustainable Mobility Policy.”

Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority said:

“Pathfinder Projects will be transformative in our cities by reducing car dependency and widening access for active travel and public transport. The projects can deliver once in a generation change to active travel through CycleConnects in all our cities focusing on the delivery of the core active travel networks in those cities and making new connections such as between Limerick’s three higher education institutions. The Pathfinder projects also supports the delivery of the first zero emission public transport services in Athlone and Dingle and starts us on an ambitious delivery path for zero emission bus services across Ireland.”

Michael Mulhern, Director of Planning and Transport, South Dublin County Council said:

“The scale of interest shown by Local Authorities across the Country in putting forward so many excellent projects is hugely encouraging. It shows the level of commitment and ambition that each Local Authority has to deliver these projects which will drastically enhance our local walking, cycling and public transport networks. We need the continued support from central Government, the NTA as well as local communities to successfully deliver these projects.”

The Pathfinder Programme forms a key part of the implementation of the National Sustainable Mobility Policy (SMP), which is a vital part of the Government’s plan to meet Ireland’s requirement to achieve a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in the transport sector.

A full list of the 35 Pathfinder Programme projects for 2022-2025 under the National Sustainable Mobility Policy is available here.

By Waterford City & County Council

Local Litter Challenge for Secondary Schools launched

The 2022 “Tom Murphy Car Sales Volkswagen / Waterford City & County Council Schools Litter Challenge” was launched on Friday 14th October at Tom Murphy Car Sales.

Fifteen secondary schools throughout Waterford recently registered to take part in a litter challenge to help make County Waterford cleaner. This competition, sponsored by Tom Murphy Car Sales Volkswagen, will see an impressive fifteen schools carrying out clean ups of their local area over the next 6 weeks to compete for the €1500 prize money.

The competition will be judged by a member of IBAL (Irish Business Against Litter), who run the Irish Anti- Litter league of cities, towns and villages each year.

Tom Murphy, sponsor of the competition prize money, commented, “To see fifteen secondary schools taking part in this challenge is very encouraging. We hope that it helps to develop a sense of pride and ownership in our communities. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank all of the participating schools for their entry into this great initiative and wish them the best of luck with their clean-up activities.”

Pictured launching the Local Litter Challenge for Secondary Schools are :

L-R, Ella Ryan, Environmental Awareness Officer, Waterford City & County Council, Steven Reinl, Tom Murphy and John Byrne, Tom Murphy Car Sales, and Gerald Hurley, Waterford Chamber.

ENDS

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