< Previous© December 2018 The Meath Coaster40Please mention The Meath Coaster when replying to advertisementsTHE VIEW FROM THE KITCHEN TABLE, By Geraldine HughesIts very difficult to write an article in De-cember without mentioning Christmas. The thought of it used to send me into a tailspin but its so much easier since, at the risk of sounding like the Grinch, I culled my pressie list. I’d rather meet up for a meal or a day out, than buy something that nobody wants, although in my own case I make exceptions for wine and any kind of festive food (In case any of you were wondering). The idea of going somewhere or promis-ing to do something nice for someone in-stead of buying more tat went down like a lead balloon when I tried to flog it to the kidults this year so clearly, I’m not off the hook just yet. The Christmas tradition of Stockings full of bits n bobs will continue as long as Santa will come to our house. Years ago, when I was a young wan, the tradition in our house was that we could open our Santa pressies as soon as we surfaced but we had to wait until after dinner to open any other gifts. I’m sure this was my mother’s ploy to get us to eat dinner instead of pigging out on se-lection boxes and tubes of smarties. Also, my parents didn’t drink but this didn’t stop my Dad trying to dose the pudding in brandy and setting it alight, which most years he failed to do but had a spectacular success one year that almost cost him his eyebrows. Pud-ding inferno! It’s a wonder Oasis Childcare Centre Mornington Co. Meath Crèche Montessori Playgroup After School Telephone 9888135 + Purpose Built + Fully Insured + HSE Inspected + Fire Certified + Intercom Entry + Large Safety Tiled Playground + Large Car Park + Easy Drop Off and Collection + Small Groups + Dedicated Staff + 7:30am to 6:30pm East Meath’s Leading Childcare Provider www.oasischildcarecentre.com A Happy Christmas to all our children & their parents from all at Oasis Childcare Centre Leaders in delivering quality Day Care, Playschool & Montessori since 2005 the highly flammable plastic decorations looped over the table survived! Rituals and traditions change over the years though and certainly, to me years ago, Dublin on Christmas Eve was the only place to be, squeezed onto Henry Street, where there was only standing room. The same scenario now would bring me out in a rash. It changed over the years to working my fingers to the bone on Christmas Eve (Aww.) staying home and doing Christmas dinner, which prob-ably peaked the year we sat at the table for 4 hours, twelve of us, while my moth-er entertained herself by tutting over the amount of empty wine bottles. But instead of waiting till Christmas week to shop, I do it all online in November and if all my parcels arrive on time this year, I can spend December being unbearably smug, and I’ll have time to enjoy the little bit of madness that creeps in some years like this year with the reports of people brawling while trying to get their hands on Kevin the Carrot, and his kids in Aldi. I picked up Kevin and his missus last year before he became famous- chucked them into my trolley for a bit of fun – little did I know I may be able to flog them for a fortune, should Kevin’s success continue .And you would be hard of heart if you could fault the spirit of generosity peace and celebration but I’m thankful for it no matter what because it would be a long dreary winter without it . 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OLD GARDEN SHEDS & FENCING REMOVED All green waste removed, Driveway, Patio, Power-washed, Gutter cleaningSpecial OAP RatesFree Estimates, Fully Insured, Long Experience4 SEASONS GARDEN SERVICESContact Jim 085 1163631-042 6030099No Job Too Big or Too SmallCOMPUTER PROBLEM?Contact Oliver 041.988.7526 087.797.0740iPhones Smartphones RepairLaptop/Desktop Repair & UpgradesPlease mention The Meath Coaster when replying to advertisements Bettystown AlterationsWedding Alterations and Evening WearPremises located behind the offices in McDonough Caravan Park on Triton Road (Opposite Tesco) Phone: 086 775 3 776Tues - Sat 10am - 5pm Lunch 1:30pm - 2:30pm Close Tue 2pmClothing Alterations•Wedding/Evening Wear • Leather/Suede Repairs •CurtainsSame Day ServiceStamullenOur Montessori staff are qualified, dedicated to providing kind, warm, tentative and a satisfying learning experience to each child 086 2162872 lamhabeagaanmhi@gmail.comTusla inspected (part time place)Opening Times:9am ·12pmWe offer ECCE From 2 Years & 8 months, Ample Car Parking GAA Clubhouse © December 2018 The Meath Coaster42Billion nanometers in a metre! (the aver-age width of a human hair is 80 microns.)Ms Mc Brides 4th Class took part in a SCI-ENCE Workshop in Navan Library. There were lots of fun experiments being con-ducted throughout the school during sci-ence week! §The newly elected students council. The boys spent two weeks putting their successful campaigns together. The boys are hoping to make and implement beneficial suggestions during the school year. Bunscoil Buachaillí Réalt na MaraScience Week 2018We are lucky enough in our school to have a parent who can give us ac-cess to an electron microscope. The Hi-tachi microscope was in our school for the past two weeks. So we made sure to make as much use as possible out of it for our Science week.This microscope measures objects in mi-crons. 1 million microns in a metre and 1 Mammy Day CareCrèche, Montessori & AfterschoolFull and part-time careECCE Free pre-school yearsAffordable childcare schemeAfter-school careLarge outdoor play area3 months to 12 years of age catered forStamullen, Co. MeathE: info@mammydaycare.com T: 01 690 5333/086 8286927Wishing all our families a Very Happy ChristmasH.E.L.L.OGRINDS, ENGLISH, GRINDS Leaving/Junior Cert/ PrimaryReading Difficulties. All Levels(Dyslexia, Anxiety. Fear)NON-NATIVE SPEAKERS OF ENGLISH.Laytown. Tel. 0838448209Tusla inspected (part time place)Rural SettingGormanstonOpening Times:9am ·12pmWe offer ECCE From 2 Years and 8 monthsOur Montessori staff are qualified, dedicated to providing kind, warm, tentative and a satisfying learning experience to each child 086 2162872 lamhabeagaanmhi@gmail.comClasses Available InPiano, Keyboard, Ukuele, Guitar - Classical, Acoustic, Bass And Electric, Violin - Traditional / Classical, Viola, Tin Whistle, Piano Accordion, Drums, Singing - Voice Coaching - Classical And Musical Theatre Junior & Leaving Cert Music.Lessons Based In Drogheda Grammar School, Mornington Road, Drogheda. Established Since 1990.Toccata House Music School, Drogheda.Autism Friendly Piano classes now available on Fridays with fully qualified teacherPrivate one to one classes also availableTel Olive On 087 2603079 For Details© December 2018 The Meath Coaster44Stamullen Needs A PlaygroundOn November 12th last Stamullen Needs A Playground submitted a pe-tition to the local area Councillors. This petition was gathered over a number of weeks by the committee assisted by a number of local volunteers and contained one thousand signatures. This number means that over half the adults living in the village have expressed support for this badly needed facility. The petition itself has called on the coun-cil to consider a variation of the County Development Plan to enable developer McGarrell Reilly to free up a piece of land for a playground. This comes on the back of the committee exploring a number of avenues to obtain land for the project, including heavily advertising the Council's Expression of Interest process undertaken in February and March of this year. Stamullen Needs A Playground has been in existence for three years now, and the last remaining barrier to providing the amenity remains a piece of land. We would like to commend Meath County Council for committing a significant amount of money to the pro-ject should land become available, and the petition underlines the need to seriously consider all options to provide an area to build it. We feel that area is lagging behind oth-er parts of Meath, particularly as there are seven playgrounds in the Navan area alone. As well as this a playground has recently opened in Lobinstown, an area with a population signifcantly lower than Stamullen, in fact there are more children aged under twelve in Stamullen in com-parison to the entire population of Lobin-stown. Stamullen Needs A Playground would like to thank those who helped us collect sig-natures by knocking on doors, and those who signed the petition and gave us great support and words of encouragement. We would also like to thank our local area councillors for being supportive of us in this project, particularly Darren O'Rourke, Alan Tobin and Claire O'Driscoll. §Pictured are (Left to Right) Lisa Mellor (Fianna Fail local are rep Stamullen), Cllr Joe Bonner, Robert Purfield (Stamullen Needs A Playground), Cllr Alan Tobin, Fiona Lynam (Stamullen Needs A Playground) Cllr. Suzanne Jamal© December 2018 The Meath Coaster45The Bah Humbug In Your Life At Christmas. You’ve been there. Abandoned, insulted, humiliated, with your mood and dignity wrecked. All this while you keep a straight face for the FAMILY. I remember one Christ-mas my soul came crashing down during my marriage to a disordered man. When out, he’d praise me to the high heavens. But behind closed doors a different story. He would ignore, stonewall, walk away in conversations, gaslight, ridicule, days, weeks, even months of Silent Treatments, and Scrooge when it came to giving me money . One memorable Christmas we had so pre-sents under our tree. Sharing the presents, and only a handful remaining unopened, I was hit with the realization that my hus-band got absolutely nothing for me. It wasn’t that I needed anything. It was all about the gesture. While the others em-braced in gratitude, I felt embarrassed and humiliated. He didn’t even think of me! When I brought it up later that evening — he left the house and brought the dog for a walk. Smirking. Narcissists and passive aggressive abus-ers are massive control freaks. Their inner world is chaotic and unstable. To avoid dealing with it, they project their control-freakishness outwards. [Abusers] blame the world — circumstances, other peo-ple — for their defeats, misfortune, miscon-duct, and failures. Ruining Christmas as it’s a time when we pay attention to other things than their constant neediness or Si-lent Treatments. Since narcissists are per-petually bored, causing others grief is their way of entertaining themselves. With all eyes on them, they feel important. Your suffering delights them. They love to plan jhow to best ruin your good time, planting seeds along your timeline. For example, you plan to go out, they ‘get’ a sore throat and the fever the moment you’re walking out the door. All to guilt trip and isolate you. Or argue and leave the house, minutes before guests show up. The scenarios are endless. I could write a book on it. Actually, In fact I am. It is not normal, it is disordered. They are aware of what they are doing — but they do not care. 1. Refuse to play along. Don’t feed into the drama. Do your own thing and en-joy. 2. Leave the room. You’re not obligated in any way to those who are abusing you. Be aware of the ‘FOG’ tactic they use: controlling you by evoking Fear, Obligation and Guilt. 3. Focus on your wellbeing — 4. Consider being on your own as a fam-ily this Christmas. If your partner is the Abuser, Ignore behaviours and ponder your plans for 2019 , with or without them .If you’re suffering from post-breakup shock or realizing that you’ve been sub-jected to abuse, please come see me in 2019 . Simply text 0858126677 to arrange your appointment Have a peaceful loving Christmas. Bernice Mc Kenna Psychotherapy ( Adv. Psych . CBT) MICHP §© December 2018 The Meath Coaster46Castlehill Riding ClubCastlehill RC recently hosted its AGM and club awards night in the Lime Kiln, Julianstown. Huge thanks to our members for attending, and well done to everyone who won awards. Our club is run by members, for members, so thank you all for voting and getting involved. Please see below for the list of winners:Top Club Helper - Justyna PrzymuszalaPrimary Rider of the Year - Caroline ProneBest new Recruit - Catriona BowensDressage Diva - Lindsey ilona BradyTop Groom - Francis HandMost improved combination - Marie De-laney Moore & SuzieWorking Hunter Wonders - Olivia Nolan & AbiSprings in their Shows award - Gary Mo-nahan & OlafClub Spirit award - Niamh MullenOnes to watch in 2019 - Niamh Murphy & HopeHorse of the Year - Ruby Cartier (Anita McNamara Doyle)Club photograph of the year - “A Space-man came travelling” A massive thanks also goes to to the 2018 club committee who have been incredible this year, and tire-less in their ef-forts on behalf the club. The outgoing com-mittee consisted of: Chair: Lindsey ilona BradySecretary: Olivia NolanTreasurer: Ciara McKeownPRO: Jean CallaghanThe only change to the 2019 committee is the stepping down of Jean Callaghan as Public Relations Officer. We wish Jean all the best with her house-build this year. New to the committee is Catriona Ka-vanagh, and we wish her all the best in her new PRO role. If you would like any further information, please “like” our page on Facebook or con-tact Olivia on (086) 383 1802.Award winner Catriona Bowens with Olivia NolanAward winner Justyna Przymuszala with Olivia NolanAward winner Marie Delaney Moore with Olivia NolanBest photo 2018 “A spaceman came travelling”© December 2018 The Meath Coaster47Karen took on the 13k route and Alan and Kenneth did the 26k, especially well done to Karen and Alan who did the marathon only two weeks before. We had a massive turnout for the Greenhills Remembrance run 5k, well done everyone who took part. The Meath relay Championships took place in Navan, we had a big turnout from all age groups and lots of first tim-ers in competition. Well done to Anthony, Deirdre, Donal and Mairead who took di-vision C bronze. James, Meg, Kenneth and Holly took overall Bronze in a very exciting race. Couch to 5kOur intrepid couch to five k group has been pounding the pavements for the last two months and are well on their way to reach-ing that magic milestone. They’re going to take on the Beko 5k in Drogheda as their first 5k race. Best of luck to the gang.It’s been a wonderful 2018 with many highlights. Everyone at Cilles AC would like to wish you and yours a very Happy Christmas and all the best for the new year. Bigi linn ag rith §Cilles Athletic ClubWell here it is the end of the year already, hope you’re all on the nice list and have asked Santy for lots of lovely running gear. We’ll be past the shortest day soon and welcoming the ‘grand stretch in the day’, winter running really does make you appreciate those fabulous Summer evenings out running in the daylight.Cilles juveniles at Meath relay championships 2018Donal, Deirdre, Mairead, Anthony at Meath relay championships 2018November in SummaryThe Leinster Cross Country Champion-ships were held in late October. There was a great contingent in attendance from the club, in the U18 junior girls race Lau-ren placed 2nd and Holly 4th, great running girls. It was a beautiful day for the 2018 Dublin marathon with Ian, Graham D, Paul, Derek, Alan, Karen and Eloise rep-resenting the club. They gave a wonderful account of the day, which has made an im-pression on the members as I think practi-cally everyone is signed up for next years! Donal Harrington was in action on the 4th of Nov at the Brain tumour Ireland run, a very worthy cause, well done Donal. Run the line took place on the 11th, Bryan and © December 2018 The Meath Coaster48Stamullen Football ClubClub News It's been a great second half of the season for the boys teams who are finishing off their last couple of matches for the season and we are de-lighted the weather has been good and hasn't hampered play.The girls season is well and truly underway and will continue through the winter. We will do a round up of the boys teams next edition.Seniors news Our seniors have recovered after their in-consistent league start, going on a 4 match unbeaten run which sees them getting closer to the top of the table and going strong in the Leinster Junior Shield after a convincing win down in Offaly. There is plenty of silverware available as there are 2 league cups up for grabs. They’ll contest one of these at the end of November.Niall and Darren's under 13'sNiall and Darren's under 13's travelled to Drogheda United’s stadium to play Swords Manor in our last game of the sea-son. What a great experience for the lads to play under floodlights in a great stadi-um. And they didn’t disappoint, putting in a super performance against a very good Swords Manor team. We opened the scor-ing when Bruno unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Swords equalized shortly after and the game ended in a draw, which was a fair result. Overall a very en-joyable experience. Well done boys.Finally we would like to take this oppor-tunity to thank all the parents, families, the players, coaches, helpers, committee, fundraising committee, seniors, over 35’s and everyone else who has helped make 2018 an amazing year for the Club. Have a great Christmas and looking forward to see what 2019 brings for the ClubAcademy news We are delighted with all our little acad-emy stars which are improving week on week and making great progress and having lots of fun each saturday morn-ing in gormanston college. We are taking a break in Dec and look forward to see-ing our little academy players back in ac-tion in January. We would like to give A huge thanks to all the coaches who run the academy each week - Karl, Orla, Nev-ille, Peter, Mick, Fergal, Niall and Darren and of course our super teenager helpers - Caireann and Ellie who are amazing with the kids. Thanks guys.The Senior Team© December 2018 The Meath Coaster49Stamullen FC's Over 35's are currently looking for Players. We are looking for players in all positions including the specialist position of Goal-keeper. We need players that will help improve the team over the new campaign. The lads have had a busy year that saw them narrowly miss out in their Winter League, they then traveled to Munich to take part in the Irish Bayerisch Cup, and last month finished the Summer League in a very respectable 3rd place.We now want to push on in order to chal-lenge on all fronts and hopefully fin-ish top of the pile come the end of the upcoming season. If you are interested or if you know anyone that may like to get involved please contact Mel on 087 9398067 or mbrow99@gmail.com. If you feel you have what it takes, don't delay any longer and contact us today for more information. Club Contact Details:Email - stamullenfc@gmail.com Facebook - www.facebook.com/stamullenfcClub Secretary - Marcus Kelly – 0851477825Website – www.stamullenfc.com §Niall and Darren's under 13's boysNext >