Trees increase our homes’ value

I spotted this on a recent trip to Chicago and it struck a chord. The folks from The Morton Arboretum who posted this sign calculate that "homes in neighborhoods with mature trees sell for at least 10 percent more than in neighborhoods without trees." That's got to be good!

For more reasons to plant and protect our trees, check out the "Every Tree Matters" page from The Morton Arboretum website.

Ratoath Rugby needs your vote

You may have seen the ads for Ulster Bank Rugby Force, which is an initiative sponsored by Ulster Bank to encourage rugby clubs to develop their grounds and facilities. One club from each province has already been selected for a prize package and a further sixteen clubs are being put to a public vote.

The club that receives the most public votes will win a fifth package. Ratoath is one of the sixteen clubs facing the public vote.

The winning club will receive a prize package consisting of a grant of €5,000 and a training session hosted by an IRFU coach and two international players.

Voting opened today and continues until the 24th May. To vote please go to www.ulsterbank.com/rugby and click on the RugbyForce link.

Each person can vote once.

It would be of enormous assistance to the Club to win this very valuable prize. At the moment new changing rooms are being prepared in Jamestown to be ready for the start of next season. A new lawnmower is being bought to assist with the ongoing maintenance of our pitches. And work must be done to the pitches over the off-season to prepare them for next season.

What's your house worth?

If you're wondering what your house might be worth, why not check out the Residential Property Price Register.
A quick search will show you what houses in The Old Mill and Ratoath generally have sold for over the last couple of years.
http://www.propertypriceregister.ie

Leap Card will be available on Ratoath buses

Leap Card will be available on Ratoath buses from next month

A full leap card service for bus travellers in Ratoath and Fairyhouse is due to be rolled out next month. Bus Eireann have told me that it expects Leap cards to be fully functional on the 105 serving Blanchardstown, Ashbourne, Fairyhouse and Ratoath, by February. Bus Eireann say defects in the system which they had uncovered have now been resolved. The company is continuing with bus testing so that service will be ready for February.

(With thanks to Dominic Hannigan for the update)

Meath County Council Weather Alert

This just in from Meath County Council (via Cllr Nick Killian)...

“Meath County Council is monitoring the current weather situation and is ready to take appropriate action if and when the need arises. The Council has adequate stocks of salt and sand bags. All gritters and snow ploughs are hooked up and on standby.”

Happy Christmas

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas from the Directors of BMML.

If you are planning to be away over the Christmas period, please remember to leave keys and alarm codes with a neighbour or with someone whom your neighbours know how to contact and who can respond in a hurry.

Burglars don't take break for Christmas and a ringing alarm is a nuisance but it is also a signal to would be thieves.

Important appeal from Ratoath Musical Society

The Ratoath Musical Society needs your old "Bling" - On Saturday night last, 7-8pm, Ratoath Musical Society's entire stock of costumes, was destroyed in a fire at our storage unit at the Courtyard, Main Street, Ratoath. The unit was broken into and a fire started deliberately. We have spent the last 7 years building up the collection which was well over 1000 costumes. The Society had planned to use all of the collection, which included newly acquired pieces to dress it's cast of 100 plus children, adults & teens for it's Panto "Red Riding hood" in January.

We are putting out an appeal to the good people of Ratoath for any glitzy material, duvet covers, curtains. Also any ladies and gents suits, jackets, coats, belts, hats and accessories etc. plus any children's clothing you might have that you don't want - we can use everything. You would be amazed what our gifted wardrobe mistress, Grainne Flynn, and her team can do with things you think are for recycling -that Spice Girl or Madonna costume or that "gorgeous" bridesmaid/Debs dress tucked away in the attic, wouldn't you love to see your "posh frock" recycled on the stage!!

All donations are most gratefully received by the committee - perhaps a retailer has a job-lot of bling to sell? Do you have a contact at a fashion wholesaler? or if you would like to sponsor a costume for a child in the Panto, please contact us on 087-7374478/ 087-7374497, leave a message here on Facebook or email ratoath.musical@gmail.com, to arrange collection or drop off. A committee member is always in attendance at our rehearsals Tues and Thursday 7-10 and Sundays 2-5 in The Venue Theatre if you want to donate anything. The Show must go on and it will, we hope to see you all at our Panto in January.