Milford Community Council.

Milford became involved in Community work in the late 1960s under the umbrella of Muintre ná Tire. In the early years the major focus of their work was involved in housing and local parish hall. This work culminated in the building of further housing development on the Dromcollogher Road. The Major project in the early 1970s was the parish hall which was rebuilt and refurbished through volunteer labour with time and equipment being donated by many of the parishioners, rota’s were drawn up for the workers and the ladies club arranged the food and refreshments. The entire fund raising in those years went to paying off the hall debt. In 1981 Milford Community Council along with other community councils, clubs and organizations in North Cork in support for Mallow General Hospital Special Equipment Fund raised the sum of £550 and presented the cheque to Dr. Paddy O’Sullivan of Mallow Hospital. The Community Council was revamped again in 1986 and at that time the amalgamation of the local creamery into Golden Vale had resulted in some of the creamery buildings lying idle. The Community Council proposed to the Golden Vale that this building being leased for small industry. As a result of these negotiations two small industries, Village Foods and Fruwell Ltd. were established. The roof over Mary’s room was re roofed in the 90’s. The local Community Council took a great interest in the Tidy Towns Competition from its outset. They invited the Chairman of Board Failte at the time to a meeting in Milford and this meeting generated a lot of interest. The community council noticed at the A.G.M.’s that no new blood was coming onboard, they continued to bring services to the community, i.e. community alert programme, tidy towns issues, Health Board services and Fás were also operating in the area, the hall was being used for sporting activities, badminton, under age football, hurling, along with various clubs and organizations holding their meetings and drama groups and local social events, Dan Larkin and Eamon Stritch ran a Youth Club, and Art classes were held in the hall. In 2004 when after fourteen years the Officers, Secretary Mary O’Connell {98}, Chairman, Seamus White and Treasurer, Ena Enright approached Fr. Hegarty for assistance in extending and revitalising the community council, people were invited to attend open meetings and a new approach was required to raise the level of awareness and for the people to be more involved in electing their Community Council, and the following method of electing the new council was agreed, the Community Council to be elected for a term of three years, Officers to elected annually at A.G.M’s and serve a maximum of two consecutive years in that Office. A register had to be compiled of all the people in the town lands of Milford and surrounding areas, including those on the electoral register and any new people who had moved into the Parish, and all over the age of 18 would be eligible to vote in the upcoming election. When all this was completed the Parish was divided up into eight electoral areas, it was decided to work on a representation of one seat for every twenty five eligible voters on the list, area’s became 2, 3, or 4 seats depending on the numbers eligible voters. When all the lists were checked and re checked, the ballot papers were printed and a ballot paper was then given to every voter along with a return envelope for each ballot paper, one could not distribute the ballot papers in their own areas for obvious reasons. The completed ballot paper would be collected in the sealed envelope or could be left into the parish house. The returned ballot papers were counted by a panel of four people from outside of the parish, after the ballot was counted the candidates were contacted and asked if they accepted the nomination and went on to meet at the parish hall, the following were elected, (26 Members).

Area 1. Jimmy Donegan, John Meehan, Vincent Cremin. Area 2. Ellen Ann Geary, Ted Sheehan, Tony Galvin. Area 3. Fr. Richard Hegarty, Gerard Falvey, Mary O’Connell {98}. Area 4. Dan Larkin, Eilish Dillane, Eamon Villiers, Gerard Sexton. Area 5. Ena Enright, Billy Broderick. Area 6. Donal Murphy, Sean Carroll, Jean O’Flynn, Pat Murphy. Area 7. Eilish Roche, Paddy Brosnan, Mike Roche. Area 8. Seamus White, Marie Sexton, John Dillon, Eamon Murphy. Later in the year Paddy Brosnan due to work commitments retired from the council and the position was filled by Kay Morey.

Minutes of A.G.M.

The first meeting of the newly elected Milford Community Council took place in the parish hall on Monday November 8th. 2004 at 8p.m. Present: Seamus White, Ellen Ann Geary, Ted Sheehan, John Dillon, Tony Galvin, Fr. Richard Hegarty, Jimmy Donegan, John Meehan, Dan Larkin, Eilish Dillane, Mary O’Connell {98}, Eamon Villiers, Gerard Sexton, Gerard Falvey, Billy Broderick, Donal Murphy, Sean Carroll, Jean O’Flynn, Pat Murphy, Eilish Roche, Vincent Cremin, Mike Roche, Marie Sexton, Eamon Murphy. Apologies: Ena Enright, Paddy Brosnan. Fr. John Ryan presided over the election of the Officers, the following were elected, Chairperson: Mary O’Connell. Secretary: Ellen Ann Geary. Treasurer: Marie Sexton. P.R.O: Donal Murphy. Vice Chairperson: Ted Sheehan. Assistant Secretary: Eilish Dillane. Assistant Treasurer: Mike Roche. Assistant P.R.O. : Pat Murphy.

Fr. Hegarty introduced three members from Conna Community Council, John Gough,

John Leahy, and Ger O’Mahony, who all spoke positively about their involvement in their local Community Council. Using examples they illustrated how their sub-committees were set up and they gave us valuable advice as to how to operate our sub-committees effectively. The chairperson thanked the three visitors and wished them continued success.

Thanks were expressed to the outgoing Milford Community Council for their work

over many years and gratitude was also expressed to Fr. Hegarty for his hard work, in helping to organize the elections for the new council. It was agreed that the Community Council would meet on the first Monday of every month. The next meeting will be held in the Hall at 8 p.m. on Monday December 6th.”

During its term of office the community council sought to address the requirements of the community, the work was divided and sub-committees were formed, members were elected from the community council and people from the community were invited to join any of the sub committees.

The following sub-committee’s were elected (and also included are people who joined from the community), Hall Committee: Chairperson, Tony Galvin, council members, Fr. Hegarty, Paddy Brosnan, Gerard Falvey, Ted Sheehan, Jean O’Flynn and from the community, Anne Watson and Seán O’Gorman. Historical Committee: Chairperson, Donal Murphy, council members, Eamon Murphy, John Dillon, Gerard Falvey, from the community, Secretary Evelyn O’Flynn, Thomas Villiers, Pat O’Riordan, Mike Healy and Michael Curtin. Social Committee: Chairperson, Eamon Villiers, council members, Eilish Dillane, Dan Larkin, Donal Murphy, Pat Murphy, Mike Roche and from the community, Mary Healy, Catherine Sheehan. Newsletter Committee: Chairperson, Donal Murphy, council members, Vincent Cremin, Mary O’Connell, Eilish Roche and Gerard Falvey and

P.R.O.’s from Clubs and Organisations. Committee for running of the Hall: Chairperson, Gerard Sexton council members Eamon Murphy, Mike Roche and from the community Mary Casey {Shop/Post Office}. Documents Committee: Chairman, Sean Carroll, council members, Pat Murphy, Marie Sexton, Gerard Falvey, Mary O’Connell, Ellen Ann Geary, and Tony Galvin, from the community Fr. John Ryan Community Alert Committee: Chairperson Seamus White council members, Vincent Cremin, Jean O’Flynn, John Meehan and from the community Secretary Annette Carroll, Tommy O’Connor Jr., Willie Reidy, and Tim Mullane. Tidy Towns Committee: Chairperson, Ena Enright, council members Hannah Waker, Mary O’Connell and from the community Ned O’Connell and Teresa Noonan. Garden Fete Committee: all community council members and Sheila Kirwin, Dan Larkin, Annette Carroll, Martina Carroll. The Milford Lawn Tennis Club became an Associate member, Tennis Club Committee: Chairperson, Billy Broderick, committee members, Mary O’Connell, Sean Carroll, Pat Murphy and Gerard Falvey.

Since the election of both community councils they have engaged on the following work the provision of traffic calming measures and the erection of warning lights at both sides leading to the school, in 2005 the council invited Michael Moynihan T.D. and Gerard Murphy T.D. to a special meeting to discuss the 1. The Post Office, there was a real fear that An Post could loose the contract of paying out pensions etc and that the Banking Institutions could get the contract which could be a cause of great hardship to pensioners who do not have their own transport as well as the possible loss of the Post Office to the community. 2. Speed Limit Signs, it was explained that the speed limit signs were too close to the village and for safety should be positioned further out. 3. Tennis Club, The Community Council gave great moral support and encouragement in the revitalizing of the tennis club and the council are inquiring as to what support was available to assist the tennis.

The council elected a Documents sub committee to look at Trusteeship and Company Ltd and report back with their findings, after reporting back to the Community Council it was decide to form a company and Milford Area Community Council Ltd. was the name of the council. The Community Council has continued to very closely with Ballyhoura Development, a committee skill and training programme was held to assist the members in working with large groups and the holding of meetings, as a result of this course the need for a development plan was identified for Milford, several meeting were took place with representatives from clubs, organizations, and public bodies taking part. The result of this action was the Milford Community Socio-Economic Plan 2008-2013 this was launched on the 1st October 2009 in Collins Lounge, as there is a real danger that when the Hall is completed that this will create a vacuum and this plan will help the community council as to focus its efforts on other projects. The council supports and encourages the Annual spring clean. A fashion was held in the Old Walls in Liscarroll 19th October 2007 to raise funds for the council. The Hall Committee: The local hall was regarded as a community hall and at the time for practical reasons it was held in trust by the Diocese of Cloyne, when approached the Diocese were quite happy to hand over the ownership of the hall to the Community Council and as demand continued for the use of the hall, the committee were concerned about the condition of the hall as it was thirty years since any structural work was carried out, the roof had developed leaks, heating system not working properly and doors were in very poor condition, the council decided to restore the hall to the specification’s of the Fire Authority, and to comply the with this order the council held its last meeting on 4th October 2007 the community council moved to the G.A.A. club house for meetings and in January’08 moved to Collin’s Lounge. An engineers report was drawn up, tenders were sought, and grant aid

was applied for, the community council was successful in receiving €30,000 from a Cork County Council Community Grant Scheme 2008, a loan was secured from the bank and the work was divided into two stages. Stage one has been completed and the committee are in the process of finalizing the process for work to commence on stage two. Historical Committee: The committee is researching the history of Milford, gathering old photographs and articles. In 2006 the committee organized a tour of the Dail and the Museums and in 2007 a tour of Áras an Úachtaráin and Farmleigh House both trips were very successful and well supported by the community. The committee held historical display at the Garden Fete events which were held in the G.A.A. grounds and Club house in 2008 with old pictures and articles on Milford, and in 2009 a historical display celebrating 125 anniversary of G.A.A. Community Alert Committee: The committee hold public meetings and have invited people from Muintir ná Tire and An Garda Siochain to help raise awareness of security in our areas, they also provide smoke alarms and monitored alarms for our senior people and sensor lighting for people living alone can be fitted thereby giving a feeling of safety and security. As part of their safety programme the committee promoted the importance of I.C.E. {In Case of Emergency} numbers being programmed into mobile phones in the event of an emergency. Garden Fete Committee: The first garden fete was held on Sunday 17th June 2007, and the committee have held garden fete events annually, and have grown into a family day out, the monies raised are for the Hall restoration, in 2009 the committee had a very intensive ticket sales within the parish and surrounding parishes and was very successful, the community has given great support in selling tickets for the raffle and by assisting in running the various stall’s and sporting events. Committee for running the Hall: The committee has the keys of the hall and look after fees and bookings for Hall from clubs’ and organisations. Social Committee: The social committee is very active within the community, and hold an annual Going Strong social every February and this has been very successful they also when the occasion arises have held social events to honour special occasions. Newsletter Committee: The committee publishes newsletters on the happenings of clubs and organizations and activities of the Community Council, in 2008 towards the year end the committee invite submissions from the clubs, organizations and sub-committees of the community council for a round up of their activities and this newsletter is then distribute to every house in the community in early December. To comply with company law the first Annual General Meeting of the Milford Area Community Council Ltd. was held on 7th May 2009 in Collins Lounge. The following were elected (29 Members) an increase of three . Area 1. Jimmy Donegan, Hannah Waker, Vincent Cremin. Area 2. Kay Galvin, Ted Sheehan, Anne Connelly. Area 3. Fr. Pádraig Keogh P.P., Gerard Falvey, Mary O’Connell {98}. Area 4. Breda Fitzgibbon, Johnny Dillane, Eamon Villiers, Robert Sheehy. Area 5. Ena Enright, Billy Broderick Sarah Broderick. Area 6. Pat O’Connell, Jean O’Flynn, Pat Murphy, Alan Sexton. Area 7. Pat O’Riordan, Kay Morey, Mike Roche, Garry O’Mahony. Area 8. Seamus White, Lelia Long, Timmy Watson, John Dillon, Eamon Murphy.

The following sub-committee’s were elected (and also included are people who joined from the community), Hall Committee: Chairperson, Timmy Watson, council members, Ted Sheehan, Billy Broderick, Pat O’Riordan, Alan Sexton, Pat O’Connell, Vincent Cremin, Kay Galvin, Garry O’Mahony. Historical Committee: Chairperson, Fr. Pádraig Keogh, council members, Eamon Murphy, John Dillon, Pat O’Riordan, Gerard Falvey, from the community, Secretary Evelyn O’Flynn, Thomas Villiers, Mike Healy and Sean Carroll. Social Committee: Chairperson, Eamon Villiers, council members, Anne Connelly, Breda Fitzgibbon, Kay Morey, Mike Roche and from the community, Mary Healy, Dan Larkin, Catherine Sheehan, Annette Sexton. Newsletter Committee: Chairperson, Pat Murphy, council members, Vincent Cremin, Mary O’Connell, Jean O’Flynn Seamus White and Gerard Falvey from the community Sean Carroll. Community Alert Committee: Chairperson Seamus White council members, Vincent Cremin, Lelia Long, Pat Murphy and from the community Secretary Annette Carroll, Tommy O’Connor Jr., Willie Reidy. Tidy Towns Committee: Chairperson, Ena Enright, council members Hannah Waker, Mary O’Connell and from the community Ned O’Connell and Gerard Sexton. Garden Fete Committee: All community council members and Sheila Kirwin, Dan Larkin, Annette Carroll, Martina Carroll.