Friday, 14 December 2007
GARDEN DELIGHT FOR CHARITY
Most of us don’t really do much in the garden at this time of year. One Buncrana couple however, have been hard at work. Carmel and Jim Bonner on the Cockhill road have transformed their winter patch into a winter wonderland. As night falls their garden is transformed into a wonderful grotto, all in the aid of charity. “Decorating the garden has become part of our Christmas and we add new features every year” Carmel said.
Over the years, Carmel and Jim have raised thousands of euro for local charities, last year they raised €4300 for the Buncrana Nursing unit. This year they hope to raise as much, if not more, for Cashal na Cor Resource Centre on the Carndonagh road. Crana Interiors and Watson Hire are sponsoring the spectacle. Drop in and show your support for this worthy cause and brilliant use of the garden in the darker days of winter!
Over the years, Carmel and Jim have raised thousands of euro for local charities, last year they raised €4300 for the Buncrana Nursing unit. This year they hope to raise as much, if not more, for Cashal na Cor Resource Centre on the Carndonagh road. Crana Interiors and Watson Hire are sponsoring the spectacle. Drop in and show your support for this worthy cause and brilliant use of the garden in the darker days of winter!
The lights will be burning brightly until January the 6th, which gives you plenty of time to pop in.
Maybe you will be passing on the way to See Santa at Doagh Island
Thursday, 13 December 2007
ME AND MY MOTOR-LINDA
This week Linda from the Inish Times office recalls her early experiences driving in Southern Africa.
What was your first car?
A horrible old black Hillman Minx, circa early 1950s. I bought it in about 1960 at the suggestion of my brother-in-law who was a motor mechanic. The gear change was on the steering column, it was a heavy car to drive and had cream leather upholstery!
How old were you?
I was 16 and living in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). The permitted age to apply for a driving licence was 16 and in those days, in addition to using indicators, one had to also use hand signals which involved lots of arm-flapping out of the driver’s window.
How did you get it?
The car cost £40 sterling (which was the currency in Rhodesia then) and at the time I earned £45 a month. I saved up for several months and bought the car for cash.
Was it reliable?
Sort-of, but it guzzled oil and the brakes kept binding. One Sunday afternoon it coughed and died when I was driving on a dirt road many miles out of Salisbury (now Harare). I had to be towed home and I immediately bought a VW Beetle that took me all over Zimbabwe and South Africa, never let me down and I loved my VW with a passion.
How did you feel about being a car owner?
I was living at home with my mother who could not drive, so having a car made a huge difference to both of us, plus gave me great independence.
What is your fondest memory of the VW?
The reliability of my VW, which gave me the opportunity to see so much of Southern Africa including the Victoria Falls, Kariba Dam, Hwangi Game Reserve, Tshipise Hot Springs, Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
Did you give it a name?
No, but my two sons have subsequently named other cars I’ve owned, one was a VW Passat Station-Wagon that they named “The Sherman Tank” and I currently drive a Fiat Seicento that they’ve named “Mum’s Shopping Trolley”.
What happened to it?
I was so fond of my VW Beetle that I could not bear to part with it, so gave it to my mother-in-law who drove it for many more years without any trouble at all.
What was the best car you ever owned and why?
When my husband became successful in business he owned the latest Mercedes Benz and insisted that for ‘image’ purposes I should drive one too. Mine was a metallic silver Merc (old shape), a full-house with all the buttons and bows. Other than appreciating the air-conditioning, I actually did not enjoy the car very much.
What was the worst car you ever owned and why?
That would definitely have to be my first car.
What are you driving now?
An 1100 Fiat Seicento 2 door. It’s a red 2001 model that I bought quite recently from Joseph Doherty Ltd of Moville.
What is your dream car?
I don’t have a dream car but having driven for over forty years, I’d be lost without a car. A huge necessity for me is to know that my car will always start and be reliable. The little car I drive now is giving me great delight.
What was your first car?
A horrible old black Hillman Minx, circa early 1950s. I bought it in about 1960 at the suggestion of my brother-in-law who was a motor mechanic. The gear change was on the steering column, it was a heavy car to drive and had cream leather upholstery!
How old were you?
I was 16 and living in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). The permitted age to apply for a driving licence was 16 and in those days, in addition to using indicators, one had to also use hand signals which involved lots of arm-flapping out of the driver’s window.
How did you get it?
The car cost £40 sterling (which was the currency in Rhodesia then) and at the time I earned £45 a month. I saved up for several months and bought the car for cash.
Was it reliable?
Sort-of, but it guzzled oil and the brakes kept binding. One Sunday afternoon it coughed and died when I was driving on a dirt road many miles out of Salisbury (now Harare). I had to be towed home and I immediately bought a VW Beetle that took me all over Zimbabwe and South Africa, never let me down and I loved my VW with a passion.
How did you feel about being a car owner?
I was living at home with my mother who could not drive, so having a car made a huge difference to both of us, plus gave me great independence.
What is your fondest memory of the VW?
The reliability of my VW, which gave me the opportunity to see so much of Southern Africa including the Victoria Falls, Kariba Dam, Hwangi Game Reserve, Tshipise Hot Springs, Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
Did you give it a name?
No, but my two sons have subsequently named other cars I’ve owned, one was a VW Passat Station-Wagon that they named “The Sherman Tank” and I currently drive a Fiat Seicento that they’ve named “Mum’s Shopping Trolley”.
What happened to it?
I was so fond of my VW Beetle that I could not bear to part with it, so gave it to my mother-in-law who drove it for many more years without any trouble at all.
What was the best car you ever owned and why?
When my husband became successful in business he owned the latest Mercedes Benz and insisted that for ‘image’ purposes I should drive one too. Mine was a metallic silver Merc (old shape), a full-house with all the buttons and bows. Other than appreciating the air-conditioning, I actually did not enjoy the car very much.
What was the worst car you ever owned and why?
That would definitely have to be my first car.
What are you driving now?
An 1100 Fiat Seicento 2 door. It’s a red 2001 model that I bought quite recently from Joseph Doherty Ltd of Moville.
What is your dream car?
I don’t have a dream car but having driven for over forty years, I’d be lost without a car. A huge necessity for me is to know that my car will always start and be reliable. The little car I drive now is giving me great delight.
ME AND MY MOTOR-ANNE O'HAGAN
I met up with Anne O’Hagan this week after her day with the Dalai Lama in Derry. The Dalai Lama was invited to the Millennium Forum to speak on behalf of the Children in Crossfire charity. His words about respecting other people, kindness, compassion and respect for fellow human beings give a powerful message. One that some motorists should listen to!
Anne has a Holistic Therapy centre in Buncrana where she offers people a range of treatments including Reiki (for deep relaxation), Indian head massage, Crystal healing, Spiritual healing, and Meditation classes. In the first week of August, Anne will be moving to the treatment rooms at the Food for Thought Health Shop in the town. Anne can be contacted on 0871334235
Ann has a new Opel Corsa 1.2 automatic
How long have you had the car?
I have had the car from new since January of this year.
Is this your first new car?
I have had three new cars in the past. The garage man (George Sweeney in Buncrana) said that once you buy a new car you are very reluctant to buy a used one. He is right! This is my first five-door model though and I find it far more practical than the three door models.
You have an ‘ L’ plate on the back of the car. Who is taking lessons?
My daughter Pamela is taking lessons. She hopes to take her test soon.
Is it reliable?
Yes. I love just jumping in and turning the key.
How often do you wash it?
If the weather is good I wash it once a week.
Best thing about the car?
I find the car very solid and you feel safe in it. I drove a Fiat Punto before this and although it had great features such as town power steering, it was a bit tinny.
What would you do to help motorists?
Introduce cycle lanes and increase the speed limit to 120km per hour on dual carriageways and motorways. This would keep things moving.
A bit more civility on the roads would be a good idea too. Sometime you can wait ages at junctions before someone lets you out!
Wise words?
Treat people as you would like to be treated!
Anne has a Holistic Therapy centre in Buncrana where she offers people a range of treatments including Reiki (for deep relaxation), Indian head massage, Crystal healing, Spiritual healing, and Meditation classes. In the first week of August, Anne will be moving to the treatment rooms at the Food for Thought Health Shop in the town. Anne can be contacted on 0871334235
Ann has a new Opel Corsa 1.2 automatic
How long have you had the car?
I have had the car from new since January of this year.
Is this your first new car?
I have had three new cars in the past. The garage man (George Sweeney in Buncrana) said that once you buy a new car you are very reluctant to buy a used one. He is right! This is my first five-door model though and I find it far more practical than the three door models.
You have an ‘ L’ plate on the back of the car. Who is taking lessons?
My daughter Pamela is taking lessons. She hopes to take her test soon.
Is it reliable?
Yes. I love just jumping in and turning the key.
How often do you wash it?
If the weather is good I wash it once a week.
Best thing about the car?
I find the car very solid and you feel safe in it. I drove a Fiat Punto before this and although it had great features such as town power steering, it was a bit tinny.
What would you do to help motorists?
Introduce cycle lanes and increase the speed limit to 120km per hour on dual carriageways and motorways. This would keep things moving.
A bit more civility on the roads would be a good idea too. Sometime you can wait ages at junctions before someone lets you out!
Wise words?
Treat people as you would like to be treated!
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