COUNTRY MARKET

Askea Country Market is held every Friday morning in Askea Parish Centre from 10am to 12 noon. Go along and get your Christmas home-baked fare.

EXHIBITION

The Blueprint Artist Network will be holding a Christmas art exhibition on Saturday and Sunday, December 12 and 13 in Castle Gate, Kennedy St. Carlow.

Featuring the work of local artists including painting, drawing, print, feltwork and photography. We hope to see you there. Contact Mary Cullen at mary.create@gmail.com or Brandon McLane at mclaneart@yahoo.com for further information.

START YOUR BUSINESS

Carlow County Development Partnership is running a programme for 12 months for young people aged between 18 and 25 on all aspects of starting up your own business. For more information phone 059-9720733 or email amurray@carlowdevelopment.ie. All enquiries will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.

DANCE CLASSES

Donohoe School of Irish Dancing classes take place in Askea Parish Community Centre every Monday. Class times 3pm and 4.15pm. Contact Mary Donohoe 087/8331446 or email marydonohoe@eircom.net. New members welcome

KARATE CLASSES

Askea Karate Club classes being held in the Presentation Gym on Mondays and Thursdays from 7pm to 8pm. New members welcome. Contact 0857348344.

CARLOW CONTACT

Carlow Contact is a new service based in St. Catherine's, Befriending/ Visitation Service for Older Persons. For information please contact Eleanor Doyle on 059/9138702 or 086/8530994.

KIDS CHESS

Chess Club for children every Tuesday evening at 6.45pm in Askea Parish Community Centre. Beginners welcome.

TALK IT OVER

Talk It Over bereavement support provides a one to one and group listening service for those bereaved or troubled. Call 086-3364961 or email mary+10@yahoo.ie

HELPLINE

Senior Helpline is a confidential listening service for older people by older people for the price of a local call any place in Ireland. Senior Helpline is open every day from10am to 4pm and 7pm till 10pm. 'Older people call us for many reasons. They may feel lonely, isolated or have family or health worries. A small proportion may fear or be experiencing elder abuse, or are depressed and feel they don't have the strength to carry on.' Senior Helpline's trained older volunteers offer a friendly, listening and non-judgmental ear to callers. LoCall 1850 440 444

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS

Gamblers Anonymous meeting in the Cathedral Parish Centre, College St. every Monday and Thursday at 8pm. Contact 01-8721133

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

You Are Not Alone support group meet every Tuesday night from 7-9pm in Askea Parish Centre for families who have a member abusing drugs. Contact Margaret 086 1599484

CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS

A new support group for the adult children of alcoholics and dysfunctional families will meet every Wednesday night at 8pm at the Cathedral Parish Centre.

For more information contact Alan O'Dwyer on 059-9134865

ADULT EDUCATION

St Catherine's Community Services Centre are now enrolling for the following adult education courses: Computers for Beginners (FETAC Level 3) – 10 weeks starting Friday, January 22 from 2-5 pm; Computers for Improvers – 10 weeks starting Wednesday, January 20 from 7-10 pm; Yoga and Relaxation – 6 weeks starting Friday, January22 from 2 -4 pm (funded by VEC); Card Making and other Crafts – 6 weeks starting Tuesday, January 19 from 7-9 pm (funded by VEC); Caring for Children 0-6years (FETAC Level 5) – 10 weeks starting Thursday, January 14 from 6-8 pm (a first aid certificate required for this course, for further information regarding first aid courses, contact Pamela on the number below); Child Development (FETAC Level 5) – 10 weeks starting Thursday, January 14 from 8-10 pm.

Courses cost ¤120. If you are in receipt of social welfare, you may be entitled to the half fee rate of ¤60 however proof of Social Welfare payment must be presented on the day of enrolment. Yoga and Relaxation and Card Making and Other Crafts will cost ¤20, both of these courses have been funded by the VEC.

Enrolment takes place on Friday, January 8 between 11am and 1 pm in St Catherine's Community Services Centre. Contact Pamela O'Neill on 059 9138700.

OPEN DOORS COURSES

Adult swimming lessons for beginners and Basic First Aid Courses. Contact Catherine on 059-9137470

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Irish made Christmas cards in aid of the Saplings School for Children with Autism, Carlow are now on sale. There are seven cards in a pack for ¤5 (4 different types of card).

Cards are available at the following venues in Carlow town: Askea Parish Centre, Elaine E Curtis Boutique (Tullow Street), Jones's Business Systems, Kelly Pharmacy (beside Dunnes Stores), Kelly Pharmacy (Closh), Kelly Pharmacy (beside McDonalds), Keenans Petrol Station, Pollerton, Rattlebag Cafe and Restaurant, Rath's Supermarket (Askea), Supervalue, (Sandhills), Swan Electric (Tullow St), Swan Electric, Expert (Strawhall Ind Est).