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Today, Thursday April 22nd is “World Earth Day” and this year’s theme is “Together, We Can Restore Our Earth”. It is estimated that more that 1 billion people will participate in World Earth Day activities across 192 countries, making it the largest civic observance in the world.
Earth Day activities range in size from global summits to individual initiatives and no activity is considered too small. Earth Day isn’t a one day a year event, but rather a special day that aims to raise awareness of challenges and dangers faced by our global and local environments. It also recognises the incredible work we can do to restore our earth as part of individual and collaborative efforts both locally and globally.
Here in Thurles, one community group (comprising members of “Refresh Thurles” and other volunteers) epitomises this year’s World Earth Day theme of “Together, We Can Restore Our Earth”, as well as its emphasis on the importance of community action and collaboration.
As the video highlights, down through the years, this Riverside Walk has been the victim of neglect, pollution from developments and vandalism, but the efforts of this altruistic group has done much to unlock the beauty of this, so often overlooked, local treasure.
Pictured in our slide show above are volunteers Una Crowley, Mary Joe Fanning, Catherine Fogarty, Rona Sorrell, and David Crowley. However there are many other heroes who contribute greatly and are not featured, including Eamonn Medley (Thurles Lions Club), who recently supplied the featured bird boxes and Eamonn Mason, who replaced numerous shrubs, sadly stolen on two previous occasions.
Throughout the year and on many weekends, this group of civic minded volunteers show up to clean up the Riverside Walk. Armed with Black Sacks, Spades, Heavy Duty Gloves and Rubbish Grabbers; they play their part in the fight against local pollution. As well as the unpleasant job of picking up other people’s rubbish, these unsung heroes work together to unlock the potential of this sometimes overlooked walkway. Among other projects, they have introduced plants and birds boxes to make this area more hospitable for humans and our friends in the animal kingdom.
This community group seeks no reward for its work, other than the satisfaction of a job well done and the knowledge that they are doing their bit to “Restore Our Earth”.
At Thurles.info and to mark World Earth Day 2021 we would like to clearly spotlight this selfless local group and thank them for all their hard work and ongoing commitment to care for and restore our town’s “Riverside Walk”.
For more information and ideas on World Earth Day visit HERE
  
Thursday, April 22nd next, is ‘World Earth Day’ and the Rediscovery Centre and the Natural History Museum of Ireland are offering a unique and free opportunity for primary school pupils.
This free 1 hour online event, for 3rd to 6th class pupils, takes place from 11:30 am to 12:30pm, as already stated on April 22nd. The session, entitled “Cool Fossils and Hot (Climate) Facts”, begins with a half hour exploration of Ice Age fossils from Ireland. Pupils will be enabled to learn about the Woolly Mammoth, Spotted Hyena, Giant Deer, Brown Bear and Grey Wolf.
The second half of this not-to-be missed session, invites pupils to learn about climate change. Pupils will be enabled to investigate how CO2 causes global warming, with the help of some fascinating experiments.
To take part in this event and to view its associated resources you can register via eventbrite.ie, by simply clicking HERE.
The theme for this year’s ‘World Earth Day’ is ‘Together, We Can Restore Our Earth’.
For more information on ‘World Earth Day’ visit HERE.
Exquisite Sensory Garden at
Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, Co. Tipp.
A well designed sensory garden epitomises the adage that “gardening adds years to your life and life to your years”. Two-Mile-Borris village, near Thurles, in County Tipperary, is home to an exquisite sensory garden that provides enormous benefits both to its visitors and to the local community.
What is a Sensory Garden?
A sensory garden is a garden that is designed to stimulate all five main senses (sight, sound, taste, touch and smell), and in doing so, has been shown to have many and diverse benefits for its visitors.
What are the benefits of a Sensory Garden?
Sensory gardens are associated with multiple benefits, including having a positive impact on our cognition, physical fitness, creativity, mental health and well-being.
In terms of cognition, building and caring for a sensory garden provides ample opportunities for young and old to acquire new knowledge and skills. Planting and playing in a sensory garden can also help to improve fine and gross motor skills.
When it comes to physical fitness, any gardener will tell you that gardens and exercise go hand in hand, whether you are digging, weeding or simply walking outdoors and enjoying the sunshine. A sensory garden, by virtue of its stimulating design, encourages movement, as visitors explore all that it has to offer by way of touch, taste, sight, sound and smell.
Sensory gardens and the role they can play in supporting mental health and well-being is widely recognised. Different sensory experiences can immediately lift our mood, helping us to feel calm or joy. The very act of sitting outdoors and taking in the sights and sounds that nature has to offer, can help alleviate our stress levels.
For children and adults with sensory processing needs and other special needs, sensory gardens are praised for their therapeutic benefits and the opportunities they provide for sensory stimulation, emotional regulation, language experiences and social skills development.
The Two-Mile-Borris sensory garden, in terms of creativity, is a place of magic and wonder for all visitors. The materials and plants have been purposely selected to stimulate our imaginations, in addition to our senses. Life size insects and fantastical structures provide wonderful opportunities for artistic expression and storytelling, both now and into the future.
Apart from the positive impact the Two-Mile-Borris sensory garden has had on the local villagers themselves; situated beside the local primary school it has now also become undeniably beneficial as an additional outdoor classroom. Indeed, under the supervision of Two-Mile-Borris Development Association, many of the wonderful sensory items within the garden have been either constructed or introduced into this area by the local school pupils themselves, thus making this area, “Their Special Place”.
Where can I learn more about Sensory Gardens?
There is no one design for a sensory garden, but all five senses must be represented and there are certain plants and materials that you will typically find in a sensory garden because of their stimulating nature.
To find out more about sensory gardens why not visit this wonderful imaginative garden in Two-Mile-Borris and explore its selection of plants and materials that aim to stimulate touch, taste, sight, sound and smell.
This garden, like all sensory gardens nationwide, has just three simple rules, (1) No dogs to avoid dog fouling; (2) No alcohol consumption; (3) No smoking.
Two-Mile-Borris Development Association are anxious to emphasise that their local village sensory garden was initially the brainchild of the late Ann Commins. Today it stands as a lasting memorial to her creativity, her total dedication and true community spirit.
Thanks to the work of Liz & Philip Quinn, (Stonemad Sculpture Workshops), Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
A special thanks also to Development Association Chairperson Michelle Maher-King & Treasurer Maeve Russell, for their editorial assistance and continued promotion of this truly remarkable village asset.
Any activities that can keep the kids occupied over the Easter holidays are always welcome.
Here are five great Easter craft ideas for kids that only need paper, colours, glue, a stapler and scissors.
Remember: Always supervise your child when using scissors and other art and craft materials.
Learn to Draw the Easter Bunny.
“Art for Kids Hub” is a fantastic YouTube channel that provides step-by-step instructions on how to draw incredible pictures.
It gives children a real confidence boost around their drawing and it’s no surprise that kids love it.
Hereunder, is a video on how to draw the Easter Bunny, but there are loads more Easter drawing projects from which to choose.
3D Easter Cards.
We are all doing our best to stay apart at the moment in the fight against COVID-19. More than ever, little tokens to show we are thinking of someone mean so much. Why not make and send a card to someone special this Easter? Click HERE and HERE to learn how to make some really easy 3D Easter cards.
Paper Handprint Bunnies.
This is such an easy paper craft idea and results in a very cute Easter bunny. It’s an ideal paper craft for very young children. View the YouTube link HERE.
Make an Easter Basket.
Easter baskets are a traditional staple of Easter time, used to collect eggs during an Easter egg hunt. Click HERE and HERE to learn how to make an Easter basket.
Paper Bunny Hand Puppets.
This is a really easy paper craft that kids will not only enjoy making, but they’ll also enjoy playing with. Click HERE to view a YouTube video on making quick and easy bunny hand puppets.
Do remember to shop local when you can.
For art and craft materials visit HERE to order online from Stakelum Office Supplies, located at Parnell St. and Rossa St. Thurles, Co. Tipperary. [Tel: (0504) 21888].
At 1.00 a.m. on Sunday (tomorrow) morning, 28th March 2021, clocks go forward one hour.
Put simply, we are all losing one hour’s sleep tonight, but the trade-off is worth it.
From tomorrow there will be “a great stretch in the evenings” signaling that summer isn’t too far away. We may not be able to travel far during lockdown, but at least we’ll have an extra hour or two in the evenings to get outdoors.
Road Safety Tips for Pedestrians from the Road Safety Authority, (RSA).
Getting outdoors is vital in maintaining everyone’s mental and physical health, but walkers, runners and joggers remember to always increase your visibility!
Throughout the day, and even on a bright evening, wear a high visability jacket, reflective armband or other reflective clothing to ensure you can be seen on roads.
It’s vital that drivers can see pedestrians from a distance.
In addition, remember to always find a safe place to cross roads, and where there is no footpath; walk, jog or run on the righthand side of the road, facing oncoming traffic and keeping as close to the side of the road as is possible.
Teaching children the Safe Cross Code (see video above) is very important also. For more pedestrian safety tips visit the Road Safety Authority’s website by clicking HERE.
Roll on those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer!
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