Provisional Summerfest Programme

Bandon Summerfest
ARDAN, BANDON, CO. CORK.
GERALDINE FITZGERALD 086/2679646 GERARD CREAN 087/9849467
DECLAN CROWLEY 083/3039576


2007 Programme
THIS IS A PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME. CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS OF FINAL TIMES AND VENUES.

THE 7 A-SIDE SOCCER TOURNAMENT WILL START ON TUESDAY JULY 17th IN THE TOWN PARK.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1st
SENIOR CITIZENS DANCE TIME & VENUE TO BE CONFIRMED

THURSDAY AUGUST 2nd
10.30 STORY-TIME LIBRARY
12.30 PLAYSTATION TOURNAMENT TOWN HALL
3.00 ART COMPETITION TOWN HALL
7.00 CHILDRENS FANCY DRESS
9.30 STARS IN THEIR EYES MUNSTER ARMS HOTEL

FRIDAY AUGUST 3rd
10.30 STORY-TIME LIBRARY
1.00 TEENAGERS SCAVENGER HUNT & CHILDRENS TREASURE TRAIL
3.00 KIDS DISCO TOWN HALL
7.00 TERRIER RACING & F1 TRACTOR RACING SOUTH MAIN ST.
10.00 BANDONS BRAINIEST PUB QUIZ YOUR LOCAL

SATURDAY AUGUST 4th
11.00 PITCH & PUTT COMPETITION TOWN PARK
TEDDY BEARS PICNIC TOWN PARK
2.00 GOLDEN MILE FUN RUN IN AID OF BANDON COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
3.30 JUNIOR TALENT COMPETITION RIVERVIEW SHOPPING CENTRE
8.00 STREET ENTERTAINMENT
10.00 ADULT FANCY DRESS

SUNDAY AUGUST 5th
3.00 – 6.00 FUNDAY SUNDAY G.A.A. GROUNDS
7.00 SOCCER FINALS TOWN PARK
9.30 BANDONS CHARACTER OF THE YEAR MUNSTER ARMS HOTEL

MONDAY AUGUST 6th
3.00 – 6.00 FUN SPORTS DAY G.A.A. GROUNDS
FOLLOWED BY BAR-B-Q

Developments for the future of Bandon

Please find below some details of a Press Release highlighting a study of Bandon that will be taking place over the next few months. This study, being run in conjunction with Cork County Council and other local interest groups will be used to help develop our town.

Press Release
June 13th 2007

Exciting Times Ahead For Bandon.

Bandon Action Group
The Bandon Action Group, a voluntary organisation is pleased to announce some interesting developments with regard to the future planning of the town:

Members:
The group consists of members of the Cork County Council, Bandon Town Council, Bandon Development Committee, Bandon Traders and the Bandon Chamber of Commerce.

Objective:
The objective is to help create an even better Bandon. Bandon has not reached its full potential and a range of issues needs to be addressed. This is being done through contact with Cork County Council. To reach full potential, a detailed, focussed, achievable plan needs to be agreed upon by all interest groups.

Method:
This is being done by creating a Bandon Action Programme which will detail where the future of the town is going. This can only be done through effective local development policies which require partnership between the local community, business interests, property owners and local authorities / other public sector organisations.

Local Area Plan
This programme will be organised in conjunction with the Bandon Local Area Plan.

Future Developments
Future developments that will be taking place in the town include a sewerage scheme that will involve substantial excavation of streets in the town centre which is scheduled for c. Summer 2008 and decisions by An Bord Pleanala confirming permission for 460 houses in the North West of the town.

Action Programme
These changes, along with many others stress the need for a programme for the development of the town.

Areas for Review:
In order to do so, an Action Plan is about to created as a blue-print for town development. A study will be undertaken by a consultancy group to examine various aspects of Bandon. Topic headings include:
Refurbishment of the public realm following upgrades to infrastructure
Parking,
Infrastructure,
Local Amenities,
Environmental Issues,
Conservation,
Public Walks,
Town Promotion & Civic Events,
Consumer Services and
Other related headings.

Submissions & Consultancy
The Bandon Development Committee requested submissions from the public about local concerns; these have been submitted to the council. The consultancy group that will be hired shall also look for suggestions about other Bandon related matters.

Funding:
50% of the costs involved with hiring the Consultancy firm will come from the Cork County council and the remaining 50% will be covered through local funding.

Deadlines:
Tenders will be publicised to hire a Consultancy group in the very near future. The successful group should start their Town Study in September and it is expected the finalised report will be published in January 2008.

Importance of Report
This final report shall be used, in conjunction with the Bandon local Area Plan as a route to the future improvement of the town.

Inclusiveness:
This report is to make the town better for all. It is in everyone’s interest to get involved in planning for the future.

Thanks to:
A lot has been done and a lot more needs to be done. Where we are at the moment could not have taken place without the help of Mr Noel O’Keeffe (Cork County Council), Mr Nicholas Manseragh (Cork County Council), Mr Ray Crowley (Cork County Council), Cllr Veronica Neville, Mayor Pat Connolly, Mr Conor Slattery (Bandon Chamber of Commerce), Mr Gus O’Brien (Bandon Chamber of Commerce) and Mr Trevor Collins (Bandon Development Committee)

Success of Bandon Music Festival

Bandon Music Festival Greatest Success Ever!
Despite bad weather West Cork Music Festival attracts over 15,000 fans

BANDON, CO. CORK: Monday, June 4th 2007: The 11th Bandon Music Festival, sponsored by Coolfadda Developers, proved to be the biggest success to date with over 15,000 music revellers visiting the town over the June Bank Holiday weekend. Despite torrential rain on Saturday and the Duke Special / Director outdoor concert being cancelled, the town rocked to the sounds of Mary Black, Jennifer Lomasney and local talent in the pubs.

Established in 1996 and formerly known as the Humours of Bandon, the Bandon Music Festival has grown from strength to strength over the past decade. Acknowledged by many as a festival of traditional and contemporary music, now in its eleventh year, the Bandon Music Festival has seen over the years a host of home grown talent perform. Previous artists included Mundy, Aslan and The Saw Doctors.

The festival started off on Friday with the Pub Music Trail. Musicians from all around the country played to delighted crowds over the three nights. Jimmy McCarthy, Rubicon, the Fuchsia Band, For Folk’s Sake and many others provided festival goers with great entertainment in the pubs. Bad weather on Saturday resulted in the Duke Special / Director outdoor concert being cancelled. However, this did not deter the artists from performing at an impromptus session in the Munster Arms Hotel that night. The two acts joined Cork talent Jennifer Lomasney, and played into the small hours of the morning, to the delight of fans.

Thankfully the sun shone on Bandon on Sunday. Festival revellers enjoyed live music on the streets during the day. That night witnessed a huge crowd turn out to listen to Jennifer Lomasney and Mary Black. Jennifer wooed the fans with her evocative, lyrical repertoire and received a true West Cork welcome. The highlight of the evening was Mary Black’s performance. From the minute she came on stage she had the audience enthralled, especially when she started the concert with our own Jimmy McCarthy’s “Ordinary Day”. Enchanted fans, of all ages, gave her a rapturous welcome and were delighted to hear how happy Mary Black was to be back in West Cork.

Commenting on the festival Mary Black said “It is fantastic to be here on such a gorgeous balmy night. I have a lot of friends in West Cork and really enjoy spending time here. I am delighted to be playing at the Bandon Music Festival and hope you all enjoy the night.” Cork’s own Jennifer Lomasney stated “The Bandon Music Festival, traditionally, is a great event. I am honoured to be playing here tonight, where I will start my summer gig tour. The audience is great, the organisation superb and, certainly, this is a festival that will go from strength to strength”.

Speaking on the festival success Carmel Nyhan, festival chairperson, commented “This year has seen the largest crowd attending the festival. The line up of musicians has played a major part in its success. Director and Duke Special Talent proved to be a great draw for the younger fan base. Despite the torrential rain on Saturday, resulting in the out door concert being cancelled, there was still a lot of festival goers in the town. We were delighted to welcome Mary Black back to West Cork and what a performance we witnessed. In addition, it was wonderful for us to profile local Cork talent Jennifer Lomasney at the festival. This singer / songwriter is going places!”

Continuing Nyhan stated “The festival would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors. In particular I would like to say a special thanks to our main festival sponsor Coolfadda Developers. Without the company’s generous contribution, the Bandon Music Festival would not have been possible this year. Coolfadda have provided essential funds to the festival, resulting in the success it is today. In addition, the support of the vintners, Fáilte Ireland, RedFM, Evening Echo, Communicate PR, Tipperary Water, IMRO and Bandon Office Supplies has contributed greatly to the promotion of the festival. However, it is really the festival goers that make it a success. Without their attendance we would not have a festival. I would like to thank all those that made the trip to Bandon and encourage them to return next year, for an even better event!”

Following on from the outdoor concert on Sunday night Bandon partied into the small hours of the morning, with the pubs providing live entertainment. There is no doubt that the festival was a thorough success and we are all looking forward to see what the festival committee will be planning for 2008. Keep tuned!