Thurles Information » Photography

Thurles Photo Station Genuine Sale Finishes Tuesday.

George — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:27:56 +0000

Just spotted an amazing genuine sale currently being offered at Thurles Photo-station, Friar Street, Thurles, which will finish over the next few days.

However if you place an order by close of business on Tuesday next, Thurles Photo-station will give a whopping 30% off all photo frames and photo albums, that are currently in stock.

They are also printing 6in x 4in print orders of over 200 for just 10 cent each, for next day pick-up. Note: Ideal for that wedding ‘Thank You,’ personalised card you have been putting off, or holiday photo’s not yet processed.

If you have a favourite wedding or family portrait, which you would like converted and presented as an expensive Canvas Print size 16in x 12in, or upwards, then take full advantage now, same will be printed for just half price, but remember, only if presented by close of business next Tuesday.

Thurles Photo-station was established in 1999 by Paul and Roisin Scully, who both have over 25 years experience in the photographic and retail trade. Both are the leading experts in photo processing, photo restoration and framing. Their staff are trained to the highest standards and are fully up to date with all the requirements of today’s technology.

They process both digital and negative film images and besides their outlet at Friar Street, in Thurles Town, they also operate outlets in Nenagh, Thurles Shopping Centre and Clonmel, so check this sale out.

Thurles Residents Rightly Demand Respect

George — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:03:10 +0000

Thurles: 6.00am following a Nenagh Debutants Ball earlier this week.

In a letter to the Tipperary Star newspaper this week, local Thurles resident, Mary MacMahon, confirms what this website highlighted on March 2nd and August 3rd last, condemning the lack of respect for Thurles town, it’s business people and it’s residents.

Mary’s photograph, showed toilet rolls strewn around the car park area, further highlighting this serious and recurring latest problem.

People shouting and screaming, urinating in doorways, the endless blasting of car horns, motorists racing up and down the streets or performing hand brake turns in Lidl car-park, the endless rubbish dumped from fast food outlets together with broken glasses and bottles dumped onto our streets or into private gardens, all now contributing to a new phenomenon and an observable fact, to those who love our town.

Name And Shame

(Please click on all images for larger pictures.)

Our picture above, show the state of Thurles streets following a recent visit by outside students from Nenagh celebrating their Leaving Cert results. It seems that in the course of their 11 years of publicly funded education, no one explained that Third Level Grant aid is not provided personally by County Councillors and Government Ministers, as they would have us believe, but by taxpaying business people, whom they grievously offended this week, by interfering with their personal property.

Supermac’s in Liberty Square, through their nightly trading, indirectly add much to Thurles town’s litter problems on our main street. Indeed early morning walkers inform us that the footpath outside this food retail outlet, resembles sticky ‘flypaper,’ with ignored, discarded chips, and chicken nuggets, trodden into and carpeting the sidewalk.

Tesco's Emmett Street entrance every night.

We also have reports that Tesco are following the old medieval tradition of emptying their dirty cleaning water, each evening, unto Emmett Street, at the rear of their Liberty Square premises, thus further enhancing their already graffiti ridden exterior walls and their publicaly displayed cardboard recycling station. This germ filled water then enters directly into the river Suir or is distributed around the town on the wheels of motorised vehicles, thus confirming Tesco’s stated watch words, “Everything you will find in the supermarket and much more.” (Possibly should have said nothing as they will now probably dump this germ filled liquid, directly into the river.)

Question: Where are the C.C. TV cameras, to which we all contributed through local Thurles Chamber fundraising events over the last number of years, and which have also been promised annually year after year by Thurles Town Council ?

True for my wise old grandmother, “Sure idle hands eventually become the Devil’s workshop.“ If you want to judge the cleanliness of an establishment, said she, check their toilet facilities. “If their public toilet is filthy, can you just imagine what their private kitchen must look like.”

We have needed changes to our law for a long time now, so is it not time for Minister Alan Joseph Shatter to introduce Community Service, under the supervision of Probation Officers and also to introduce a law making parents responsible for young offenders actions? Remember just one prisoner in our jails currently costs Irish taxpayer, on average, €70,000 each per year. Spending cuts to be made here Minister, and like you state on your website, we also “Look Forward With Hope.”

Readers why not give us your views by commenting hereunder? We would love to hear from you.

Mullinahone Residents Communicate With The Dead

Templetuohy Wedding Of Ciara & Jonathan

George — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 23:42:52 +0000

Ciara and Jonathan

The wedding took place recently of the very lovely Miss Ciara Gavin, daughter of Mrs Margaret and Mr Martin Gavin, Templetuohy, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, to Mr Jonathan Barrett, son of Mrs Geraldine and Mr Willie Barrett, natives of Co. Cork.

The marriage took place in the historic Church of The Sacred Heart, Templetuohy, Thurles, Co.Tipperary, with the ceremony presided over by local parish priest Rev. Fr. Pat Murphy.

Escorted down the aisle by her father Martin, the bride looked stunningly beautiful in a white, strapless, chiffon and lace, afternoon gown, with full length veil. Equally beautiful were her accompanying bridesmaids, Martina Buggy (Maid of Honour), Denise Gavin, Patrica Gavin, Geraldine Byrne, and Tracey Kelleher, who wore full-length black, laced backed evening gowns, delicately adorned with white waist bands.

The groom, Johnathan, and his five groomsmen, Jeremy Murphy (BestMan), William Barrett, Brian Aherne, Keith Byrne and John Dorney all looked dashing in their black tail-coated evening suits, elegantly highlighted by white wing collared shirts and matching grey silk cravats.

Also adding to the splendour of the occasion were Flower Girls, Nicola Buggy, Emma Buggy and Linda Gavin together with Pageboys, Martin Ryan, Cathal Kelleher and Adam Gavin.

The couple publicly exchanged their vows in front of a large gathering of family and close friends, while music and song for the ceremony was performed by the very talented Templetouhy Church Choir.

Following the ceremony, the new Mr and Mrs Barrett retired to the popular local wedding venue, The Templemore Arms Hotel, Templemore, Thurles, Co.Tipperary, where guests were entertained to a champagne and strawberries together with other light refreshments.

Following family photographs in the beautiful manicured gardens of the Templemore Arms, the newly married couple joined their guests in the hotels ‘Belville Suite,’ for dinner, which was followed by dancing to the music of popular Tipperary band ‘Rebel Hearts,’ very late into the evening.

The couple have chosen a short stay in New York followed by a Caribbean tour, as their favoured honeymoon destination.

“Ciara and Jonathan, from all your family and many friends in Co.Tipperary and Co Cork, go all best wishes to you both for a happy, healthy and prosperous life together and thank you both for such a memorable day.”

International Miss Macra 2011 Winners

George — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 22:06:51 +0000

Miss Sarah Louise Healy, Cork.

The gorgeous Miss Sarah Louise Healy, representing Cork / Muskerry Macra, was crowned International Miss Macra 2011 at Dundrum House, Co Tipperary last night. Sarah, now brings to six the number of times Cork has won this event in 40 years, making them the county to have won this festival the most times.

Runners up in this years competition were Miss Martina Murphy representing Sligo, and Miss Sharon O’Grady representing Wexford.

A specially commissioned, Sterling Silver Tiara, embellished with cubic zirconia, was presented by Michael’s Jewellers, Thurles, to celebrate this Festival’s 40th Ruby anniversary.

Sarah Louise Healy was presented with the Perpetual Silver Macra Trophy, together with a specially commissioned Perpetual Tiara, a cash prize of €1000 and a Tipperary Crystal trophy sponsored by Dundrum House Hotel.

First Runner up received a specially commissioned piece of Tipperary Crystal and a cash prize of €500, while the second Runner up received a specially commissioned piece of Tipperary Crystal and a cash prize of €300, sponsored by Tipperary Co-Op.

Due to the very high standard of the girl’s competing this year the festival judges, Joan Pollard-Carew, Declan Ryan and Catherine Gowing, described their task as being the most difficult they had yet undertaken.

Miss Martina Murphy, Miss Sarah Louise Healy, Miss Sharon O'Grady

As we forecast, the 2011 International Miss Macra Festival was a sellout, with many supporters, who had failed to book their tickets in advance, unable to gain access to the special Macra Marquee, purposely erected as part of this truly enjoyable three day event.

Highlight of the weekend for the contestants was a visit to Coolmore Stud in Fethard, Co.Tipperary. Highlighting this visit, Clonoulty / Rossmore Chairperson Miss Mary Lyng paid a special tribute to the staff and management, for their extreme professionalism and kindness, paid to the contestants during their guided tour of of the Coolmore complex.

All eyes will be glued to Nationwide on Wednesday evening next, when highlights of the weekends events are to be televised on RTÉ One at the usual time of 7.00.

Following the Macra Banquet, over 300 guests danced the night away to popular Tipperary Band “Silver Dollar” who provided their own very special brand of popular music.

Stills Photographer for the weekend’s event was George Willoughby, Thurles.

Take A Walk On The Wild Side In Tipperary

George — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:00:31 +0000

Take a walk on the 'Wild Side,' in Grange, Tipperary

The annual Grange / Crag Loop Walk, here in the Slieveardagh Hills, in County Tipperary takes place on Sunday next the 17th July 2011.
Starting time is at 1.30pm and the meeting point is Hogan’s Pub, in the village of Grange, where light refreshments will be served.
Directions to this worthwhile event will be signposted from the surrounding villages of Glengoole, NewBirmingham, Ballingarry, Urlingford, Gortnahoe, Ballysloe and all approach roads.

Directions to Grange [Map Ref:]
If you are a visitor coming from outside the area, from the town of Urlingford on the N8, take the R690 in the direction of Mullinahone. After 2km stay on the R690 as the road splits – the R689 goes to Killenaule. Continue for almost 5km with the impressive stone wall of Kilcooly Abbey to your left, to a junction where you turn left (Following the natural wall line.) off the main road and after 2km you will enter the village of Grange. The trail-head is located opposite Hogan’s Bar.

Grange is a small village in the Slieveardagh Hills on the Tipperary border with Kilkenny. It lies just east of the magnificent ruin of Kilcooly Abbey founded in 1182. Grange derives its name from it being an out-farm or in Gaelic the ‘Gainseach,’ of Kilcooly. The medieval tower-house castle, situated here, would have protected the area of the abbey estate.

The Grange area is widely acknowledged as extremely scenic and interesting in its historical heritage, and is host to a range of wildlife, including fallow deer, red squirrels and many species of rare native flowers.

There are two interlinked looped walks in Grange. The shorter walk is the Grange Loop [3km] and the longer the Crag Loop [6km]. Close to here, Kilcooly derives its name from the Gaelic, Cill Chuile, “The church of the corner,” or angle. The Abbey and all of the Slieveardagh region does indeed lie in a corner, between the hills to the east and the bog and on its west. It is no mystery therefore that this beautiful scenic area is referred to as ‘Tipperary’s Hidden Corner.’

Enjoy your visit, but remember, as in all walking adventures, do bring stout walking shoes, a camera, suitable rain wear, a snack and fluid!

See ya there and for any queries regarding this event:- Tel: 052 9156165 or Tel: 085 1169650.

Photo Competition Tipperary Gardens & Parkland

George — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 21:29:44 +0000

Sweet Daisies - Photo G.Willoughby

When it comes to promoting and highlighting all that is great about Tipperary, the Credit Unions in the county have been, over the past number of years, doing the work for which Bord Failte are paid. ( See ‘Places To Go,’) and find Tipperary on their Map.)

This year is no different, while Bord Failte are squandering large sums on promoting already established tourism destinations like Kerry, Waterford, Limerick and that area known as The Pale (Dublin), the Credit Unions of Tipperary in association with Tipperary Libraries have come up with their own novel way of promoting the neglected Premier County.

The Credit Unions of Tipperary and Tipperary Libraries are offering all photographers an opportunity to showcase their work and through this promotion compete for a share of a €1,200 prize fund. The theme of this photographic competition is “Gardens and Parks of Tipperary,” and photographs can include scenes from the small domestic household garden to the large parkland areas, showing Tipperary at its best.

Over the past eight years the Credit Unions of Tipperary have produced an annual calendar which has been proven extremely popular, with many thousands of copies being distributed throughout the county and indeed internationally, through Tipperary natives now forced to work abroad. Similarly, Tipperary Libraries have encouraged photographers to showcase their talents through competitions based on a number of themes highlighting the many and varied attractions of our beautiful unspoiled County Tipperary.

Broadening the scope of the competition is now the aim of these two great organisations. Four major prizes will be awarded this year and at least 36 of the entries entered in this competition will be chosen for publication in the calendar for 2012.

So drop in to your local Credit Union office and look for a copy of the rules.

Remember: The latest date for receipt of entries is close of business August 31st 2011, so get out there snapping.

Note Participating Credit Unions:

Cahir Credit Union, Clonmel Credit Union, Carrick On Suir Credit Union, Cashel Credit Union, Borrisokane Credit Union, Roscrea Credit Union, Nenagh Credit Union, Tipperary Credit Union, Thurles Credit Union, and Templemore Credit Union

100 Years Of Girl Guides In Ireland Celebrated

George — Sat, 21 May 2011 23:12:51 +0000

Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Girl Guides in 1937.

On the 7th of May 2011, the Dome, here in Thurles Co, Tipperary saw over 6,200 disciplined, spirited, inquisitive and members of the Irish Girl Guides gather to celebrate 100 years of their organisation, and what an organisation.

One of the disappointment felt by me, reflecting on the ceremonies organised for the recent visit by Queen Elizabeth II, was the visual absence of senior officials from the Irish Girl Guides Association. While we appear to have fitted in an invite for every other member of the ‘great and the good,’ there was not a sign of a Girl Guide anywhere in sight, despite celebrating their 100th Irish Birthday this year. The fact that Queen Elisabeth herself and her late sister Margaret were both Girl Guides, with the Queen presently the associations patron, this appears to have been a major oversight on behalf of the organisers.

Yes disappointing, no matter, no doubt this will be corrected when US President Barack Obama comes to Ireland on Monday, especially since his wife Michelle is President of the American Girl Scouts. But enough about this, ‘Dedication and Organisation,’ always has it’s own reward and real leaders are ordinary people with extraordinary determination.

Against the background of our hallowed Semple Stadium, this Girl Guide celebration was packed with Avitars, Moving Statues, Circus Performers, TD’s, Government Ministers, Giant Pigs, Helter Skelters, Musicians, Line Dancers and to close off this fun day an Abba Tribute Band.

100th year Celebration of Irish Girl Guides from Pat Corbett on Vimeo.

The day got off to a brisk start with a Gold Award Ceremony, where 78 teenage girls each received the prestigious ‘Gold Award,’ the highest achievement that a Girl Guide can ever attain. These same group a short time later led the Members Parade, themselves kick starting the groups centenary celebrations, which fully demonstrated the total dedication and commitment by not just Girl Guides, but their leades representing the whole of Ireland.

Fine Gael TD, Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs was on hand to officially opened this 100th birthday event. The Minister in addressing the large crowd stated “This is a wonderful, historic, colourful day for you all. It is truly inspiring to see so many young people, and their leaders of all ages, latter still so young in spirit, gathered together to celebrate 100 years of success and true dedication. The organisation has an incredible role to play in supporting the young people of this country; helping them to develop our greatest natural resource to their fullest potential.”

The remainder of the day was spent by the girls becoming involved in their different age group activities. These activities included Circus Skills, Drumming, Dancing, Science Workshops, Animal Roadshows, together with having the time to enjoy a free flow area, which housed a Helter Skelter, many large scale Inflatables, a Carousel and numerous Street Entertainers. The excitement of the day’s events were clearly written and easily read, on the faces of all those in attendance.

Coming near to the close of events, a presentation of ’30 year service pins,’ were presented by IGG’s President Maureen Dillon, Chief Commissioner Emer O’Sullivan and special guest Mary McPhail, Chief Executive of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, to some of the older yet still dedicated leaders.

The girls and their officers ended the day singing and dancing with music and song courtesy of the ABBA tribute band, ABBAesque, and in keeping with the 100th anniversary celebrations, this band lead all in attendance with a wonderful rendition of ‘Happy Birthday.’

A special thanks to Catherine Noone, Carmelia Jordan and PRO Catherine O’Connor for their kindness on the day.

Next huge event will be “Camp 101“, which is the International Girl Guide Camp, taking place in Lough Key Forest Park, Co. Roscommon in July 2012, with Guides from around the world in attendance. Camp 101 for Girl Guides represents the beginning of a new centenary, and the opportunity to further build on a most successful past 100 years of Guiding in Ireland.

Want To Join Irish Girl Guides? Please contact the Irish Girl Guides National Office:- Telephone 01-6683898.

Tracing President Obama’s Irish Ancestors

George — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 23:18:07 +0000

When US President Barack Hussein Obama visits Moneygall, on the Tipperary / Offaly border, towards the end of May next, there is no doubt that he will receive the warmest and friendliest of Irish welcomes, for which this country is renowned for bestowing on it’s visitors.

Towns all over Ireland are feeling the ‘teeth ‘ of our mainly self inflicted financial recession. During a recent visit to Monegall, we noticed, what appeared to be just one of Irelands many ‘ghost estates’ or half finished housing estate projects, blighting the village landscape. However, thanks to this strong minded local community, through research, enterprise and drive, the leader of the most powerful country in the world is coming to visit their tiny village.

This village and surrounding areas must now surely prosper, working together as they have, displaying kinship and teamwork, this community have assured themselves a proper place in Irish American lore, and highlighted a destination to which many Americans and Irish Americans will wish to visit in the coming years.

President Barak Obama – His Ancestral Home from ProfileStudios on Vimeo.

Documents show that Barack Obama’s ancestors, like John Fitzgerald “Jack” Kennedy‘s great grandfather Patrick Kennedy, from Dunganstown, Co Wexford and Ronald Wilson Reagan‘s great grandfather, Michael O’Reagan, from Ballyporeen, CoTipperary, sailed from Ireland to America in search of a dream, leaving behind them a then ‘God Forsaken ‘ island called Ireland. All left Ireland around the time of the ‘Great Famine,’ 1845-1849, as did of course later (1873) John P. Holland, inventor of the modern submarine, the ‘Fenian Ram’, in 1881 and “Father of the U.S. Submarine Service,” and earlier (1760′s) Commodore John Barry, credited as “The Father of the American Navy,” by his contemporaries.

America has been a friend to the Irish and Irish immigrantion has greatly benefited America’s progress as a nation. History will continues to identify and catalogues the lineage of great and influencial world leaders, such as US President Barack Obama, brought about through often forced Irish immigration.

Barack Obama Ancestry

President Barack Obama’s lineage is easily catalogued:-
Joseph Kearney (c.1794-1861) and Phoebe Donovan (c.1800-1876), – Falmouth Kearney (c.1830-1878) and Charlotte Holloway (c.1834-1877), – Jacob William Dunham (1863-1936) and Mary Ann Kearney (1869-1936), – Ralph Waldo Emerson Dunham Sr. (1894-1970) and Ruth Lucille Armour (1900-1926), – Stanley Armour Dunham (1918-1992) and Madelyn Lee Payne (1922-2008),- Barack Hussein Obama Sr. (1936-1982) and Stanley Ann Dunham (1942-1995)- US President Barack Obama.

Leaving his spouse and off springs here in Ireland, Joseph Kearney travelled to America to claim land. It is not documented how he got to England, however, one means of cheap travel at this time was by consenting to travel, as ballast, on an empty British coal boat. Human ballast at this time saved those transporting coal into Ireland by open sea barge, the cost of paying men to shovel sand into these empty barges, to stop them riding high in the water on their return trips to England.

History does record that he reached the port of Liverpool where he boarded the ‘Caroline Read,’ and eventually arrived in New York City on 25th of April 1849. His eldest son Falmouth Carney (Kearney) was soon to followed this 3,000-mile Atlantic voyage. The passenger list for the ship 903 ton ‘Marmion,’ which entered the port of New York on March 20th in 1850, includes a 19-year-old labourer named Falmouth Carney whose destination was Ohio.

………..ID……………NAME ………………. AGE…GENDER …FROM……..PORT……….. TO DEST……. SHIP………ARRIVED……
…….304353……Falmouth Carney……….19………M……..Ireland….Liverpool…………OHIO…….Marmion……03-20-1850…..

Later records reveal this ship ‘Marmion,’ Captained by F. W. Jordan, with 1,300 tons of coal on board, under a strong south easterly wind and in heavy seas, foundered off Cape Flattery, on November 8th. 1879. The ship was abandoned, and the crew boarded the ‘Tam O’Shanter,’ which had been standing by, and all were taken to San Francisco.

Falmouth was followed by Phoebe Kearney and her children, William and Mary, some 17 months later, entering New York again on the ‘Clarissa Courier,’ on August 28th 1851.

Two years after his arrived in America, Falmouth Kearney married Charlotte Holloway, with possibly his uncle, one William Kearney, serving as Justice of the Peace. American Census records in 1860 show that Falmouth, a farmhand, his wife Charlotte and several children are living in Deerfield, Ohio. Later, according to the census of 1870 show this same family are listed as a farmers with an address in Tipton County, Indiana.

As already shown, both Falmouth and Charlotte both died, one year apart and were survived by their five daughters and possibly three sons.

US President Barack Obama is the great-great grandson of Falmouth Kearney’s youngest daughter, Mary Ann.

Irish Americans everywhere examine your achievements and raise your heads with pride, follow the call “Yes We Can.”

Our thanks to Ollie Hayes and his bar staff, who assisted us greatly on our recent visit.

St Patrick’s Day Parade Thurles 2011

George — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:12:08 +0000

The Thurles St Patrick’s Day Parade 2011 was held on Sunday 20th March here in Thurles, where a large gathering of spectators, from near and far came to watch.

This video, of the days events, comes to us courtesy of Thurles videographer Mr Pat Corbett .

St Patricks Day Parade Thurles 2011 from Pat Corbett on Vimeo.

We should have further video footage of these St Patrick’s day festivities and details of the prize winners at this event, later in the week.

As we have come to expect, there was a fantastic variety of floats, vintage vehicles, clubs and bands taking part, all performing in jubilant mood and under brilliant sunshine.

We even had a surprise visit from US President Barack Obama and his full security team accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the terrible twins Jedward even dropped in to keep us entertained.

Sure why would’nt they visit, it is easily the best parade in the county.

See further footage by clicking here

What Benefits Birds Can Benefit Humans

George — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 23:31:15 +0000

What benefits birds, also benefits humans, as those of our readers here in Thurles and Co Tipperary, who supplemented their garden’s birds’ diet, during the recent unprecedented harsh weather, can attest. By feeding the birds in your area, there is an automatically important knock-on effect for the flower lover and organic gardener, as birds will quickly get used to searching for food in your garden and will simultaneously search for pests such as greenfly, caterpillars and snails, all the year round.

By the way this video was captured on the new Flip Ultra HD 3rd Generation 120 minutes recording, 8GB Memory & Image Stabilisation - BlackFlip Video Camera. Latter fits into the palm of your hand, easily fits in your jeans pocket while letting you record high quality HD footage with the greatest of ease. The rectangular shaped camera is the size of a standard mobile phone and can captures 2 hours of HD video at a time, so is ideal for the local football match, the confirmation or the children’s birthday party. On the Flip Video camera front is a zoom lens and microphone, while the back contains a 1.5 inch viewing screen, plus four directional arrows, a delete and a play button. A USB plug flips out from its side allowing you to connect it directly to a computer or laptop USB port, without the hassle of attaching messy cables, thus allowing you to play your captured content immediately without rendering. As you can see from this video, this tiny camera delivers a remarkably high quality picture on a device that any unskilled individual can use. I find it especially good in situations like observing nature, as with the aid of a tripod, it allows me to get up close and personal without being intrusive. (This extraordinary HD Video Camera is also very affordable, at around €170 .)

Feed The Birds from George Willoughby on Vimeo.

After the glut of each years Summer and Autumn fruits have passed and when insects are diminishing, winter is most certainly the correct time to feed our local bird population, but when should we stop?

With regard to this question, there are possibly two schools of thought. Some says you should stop gradually, once winter is over and more natural foods become available. Other state that stopping suddenly increases stress to birds, when they are already under pressure both defending territories and building their nests. There is possibly some truth in both schools of thinking, but it is true that allowing blue tits to feed their very their young babies on peanuts is likely to cause their deaths, as very young Blue Tits can’t digest the nuts fed by their parents. You could however, switch to other foods during the period, perhaps hanging up a meat bone, left over from your main meal, which offers to the birds a high protein food. There will be plenty of natural food available in your garden in Summer, with greenfly, caterpillars and snails, of all sizes, in much abundance.

The different species of our birds life have different feeding habits. Hanging food is ideal for sparrows and members of the Tit family, using a peanut or seed dispenser as shown in this video attached.

Always site your hanging feeder high enough from the ground so that cats can’t get at it. Another good idea is to put it near to rose bushes or other shrubs where you may be having trouble with greenfly or caterpillars and birds will find them too. Do not leave the food too exposed, as the birds may be in danger from other predators. It is best to provide cover for your bird table under trees or close to large hedges and do not site the food area near nest boxes, as this busy noisy atmosphere is inclined to put inhabitants off nesting. Bird tables are suited to all types of bird and have the benefit of being off the ground so other foraging animals like mice and rats can’t gain access.

If you are planning the purchase of a bird table or a nut feeder, do beware that some, while visually attractive, are manufactured for value added purposes to attract sales, but are actually harmful and certainly not practical. An example of this is bird seed glued in the shape of bungie jumpers or on ropes, which fall apart on getting wet and end up on the ground, encouraging rodents.

Many birds like Wagtails do prefer to eat on the ground, so do put a little food on the lawn, well away from shrubs and low walls which can give cover to domestic cats. Don’t put too much food out at once, as if it is not all consumed by nightfall, your rodent population will be attracted.

Fresh water should also be provided on the bird table, preferably in a shallow container like a small cereal bowl, so birds can drink and bath without being in danger of drowning.