31st Aug 06 Thursday

Phone call with an invite from Thomas from the Drumming Centre to come to a class next Monday.

Started my patchwork piece and spend a very peaceful evening working on it, got all the front pieced together and pined to the quilting.

29th Aug 06 Monday

Skibbereen Bell Ringers
The Skibbereen Bell Ringers are a group of about 9 (4 ‘hardcore’ and 5 occasionals) ringers and 5 apprentice ringers. Tonight 5 ringers and 2 learners we out to practice. Abbeystrewry church got its set of bells in 2001 through the enthusiasm of some parishioners, including Diana Pitcher who had experience of bell ringing in England. Diana explained to me that bell ringing is very English (siting the example that there are 300 churches with bells for this kind of ringing in Devon to Irelands 35). You don’t have to be a parishioner of Abbeystewery church however to become a bell ringer or have pervious knowledge of it, Diana reckoned someone can be taught in a couple of months by attending their normal weekly sessions, not do you have to be of any particular age one of the learner their tonight who was ringing with the adults was William who is ten and was cool as a breeze about it all and made it look very easy. Morris is younger brother was also there but he was still at the basic learning stage. The age of the group goes from this to a member in their 70’s.

The way the bells are rung is not so much like reading a piece of music but reading a piece of mathematics as it is all based on rounds and who goes before or after who. I had a go myself – just at trying to pull the rope (the fluffy bit of which is called a ‘sally’) and ruing the bell properly, building up a rhythm. It was strangely meditative for something quiet loud, I think because you have to totally focus on what you are doing and on building up the rhythm of pull let go catch pull…

The ringers say the do it purely for the love of ringing, taking any opportunity to do so – weddings, football matches church services in fact they are organizing a festival so the can do even more ringing!

So if you fancy it you can find them in a little paneled room up Abbeystrewry tower on Tuesday nights from 7.30pm onwards or contact Diana Pitcher Art@cunnamore.com, 028 38483

27th Aug 06 Sunday

Skibbereen Walking Club
Timmy Whelley the Chairman of the walking club and Mary another member picked me up at about 1.15pm Sunday afternoon and we headed to Baltimore to meet the rest of the Skibbereen Walking group for the days events. There is a membership of 54 of which about a third will turn up for any walk, maybe less for the hill walking sessions. New members are always welcome and can just turn up and go on a walk, indeed people visiting or holidaying in the area are also welcome to come along. For today’s walk there were 13 of us headed by Timmy. There is always a leader for each walk – someone who knows the walk and has researched the path and sought all the relevant permissions. Walks are chosen at the AGM where members can put forward suggestions.

From meeting up in the car park of O’Casey’s bar we set off initially walking on road and then up a lane and into fields (land is never entered without receiving permission from the landowner and being careful to secure and gates etc).

The pace was brisk but not too quick and we stopped several times both for a rest and to enjoy the scenery, which was stunning. The path we were taking went around the coast at Baltimore to a place called ‘Spain’ (where I was informed you could see for 1,000 sq miles). One of the bonuses of being part of a walking group must be that not only to you get out and get exercise and meet people but that you get the opportunity to see places you may not get to otherwise. As we stood on the edge of Ireland looking over to Sherkin (where we could see the boats taking part in the regatta) I felt privilege to be able to be there to enjoy it. I most likely would never have seen this particular view on my own but thanks to Timmy and the Walking group I have. The walk was approximately 5 miles long and took about 2 1/2 hours. I would categorise myself as not being fit but it was no bother and I dint have trouble keeping up and what’s more I enjoyed it!

I was also lucky to have made today my day to join the Walking Club as they were holding their end of summer Barbecue. Back in O’Casey we had salad, brown bead, burgers, sausages, rashers and puddings – most of it prepared by members of the club themselves. It was delicious and much appreciated after all the fresh air. There was also a raffle which needless to say I didn’t win!

Spoke to jenny who is also in the Carbery Art Group and going to the same Growing Awareness class as me. She is also in a local music group, who meet in one of their sitting rooms and play music – she has just recently taken up the flute.

Also through chatting I found that Eric and Maria from the Walking group are in the West Cork Choral Society – I’m going to pop out to visit them next week as they start back for the autumn season tomorrow.

Got lift back into town with Maria and though chatting found out that she holds a patchwork group; it is currently made up of herself and 2 other women who meet up to do their patchwork and quilting projects. She had invited me to her home on Wednesday,

After that I went to bed tired in a good way – having exercised chatted and been fed. If you fancy a good walk the Skibbereen Walking group do level C (moderate) walks every second Sunday and hill walks (level b) once a month. Contact Ericthreapleton@hotmail.com http://www.geocities.com/skibwalk/

You will need a good par of walking shoes/boots a rain jacket and I would recommend bringing a bottle of water.

26th Aug 06 Saturday

Farmers Market, bought organic beef burgers and a focacia.

Road Bowling again on the Marsh Road Skibbereen was to be a Junior C score but one guy didn’t turn up but a score was played all the same with different contestants. When this happens or in the case of a pickup score then those attending just try to get the most evenly matched score from those among them (everyone seems to play and are all at differing grades). This wouldn’t really include women, as tonight there weren’t any beside myself. Women do bowl but against each other and it would be a rarer event.

24th Aug 06 Thursday

Spoke to a lady from the Skibbereen and District Car Club. They don’t have meeting starting up again until Ocober when they have a rally, they also run auto testing, auto crossing, stage rallies, night nativations ansd navigating classes.
For more information contact:
Eileen Quinn 021 4775568
www.skibbdcc.com

23rd Aug 06 Wednesday

Gorta dropped in to ask about Women’s group meets upstairs. They didn’t have any information on the group but were telling me about their own organization Gorta, they are run entirely by volunteers.

Went into Kismit, they mind and spirit shop of North Street, Haley the owner was in the middle of making bath bombs. She is setting up workshops for bath bomb, soap and cream making using essential oils and natural products. We had a chat about her plans and now I'm going to join her for a day to act as guinea pig of the classes!

As I was out and about I thought id drop into the Corner Bar prop. William O’Brien as I’d heard William had some involvement with Road Bowling and the Singing club. Indeed I caught him just before he was going out for a practice throw of the bowl. He invited me to go to Roscarbery tonight to see a ‘score’ and also filled me in on the Singing Club, which is on the first Friday of the month (so I’ll be going along to the next one).

While he was out I had a chat with his son Mike who used to row with the West Cork Rowing Club (who are very successful) until he was injoured through pushing himself too hard too young. He described the gruling practice schedules but also his love of it, saying it was all about the buzz of winning.

Went to Roscarbery with William and his other son. It was a ‘junior’ score – this pertains to the level the participants are at (junior (A, B and C), intermediate and senior). There was a good crowd – about 70 people maybe (with less that 10% of them women).

As we waited the players practiced their throwing and then the money was gathered up. The betting is an important part of the procedures but is a relatively simple system – each player or team of two has to gather the same amount of money as the other side from their backers (which seem to be predominately those from their home area rather than those who think this side will win). In this case as one side had a backing of €2500 the other side had to raise this too. There was no book with amount written down, one man held the money and at the end if your side lost you lost your money and if it won you doubled it. I think I have this right anyway as I didn’t bet myself!

Most people stay in front of the action but as I wasn’t sure enough of what was going on to stand in front of a whirling metal ball I walked the miles of so course (just a normal road) behind the thrower. I got talking to a very nice man from Dunmanway who explained what was happening as we went along.

The rules seem straightforward enough, both men or one each from a team of 2 start at a certain point and throw the ball as far as they can down the road. Were the ball stops is marked with chalk. They then walk to that marker and through again. The aim being to get to the end of the course in the smallest number of throws, if both teams pass the final line in the same number of throws it’s the team who threw the ball furthest who wins. Dispite this simplicity at times I did find it hard to see or follow who’s ball had gone furthest but this was probably because I was behind the action and not used to it. And I probably shouldn’t say this but it was in itself an lovely walk on a fine evening.

There as scores on it seems nearly every night of the week in west cork (the only other place in the country that road bowls is Armagh) to find what’s going on where check the local papers the Southern Star and Examiner. For more information on Road bowling check out your local club or www.irishroadbowling.ie for Bol Chumann na hEireann who are the national body for the sport.

22nd Aug 06 Tuesday

Rang the West Cork Beekeepers Association. Unfortunately the meeting of the Beekeeper Association doesn’t start up again until the end of October so I wont get to meet them. They organize lectures and presentations (usually in spring) on beekeeping. West Cork Beekeepers Association, Throughout West Cork, John Bryan,secretary, 023 49625

Dropped into Skibbereen Sports Centre where there host lot of different activities; Kickboxing, Tae Kwan Do, Basketball Club, Aerobics, Badminton, Table Tennis, Gymnastics for starters unfortunately for me the majority don’t start back up again until October. I’m going to try contact the Table Tennis guy though as he might be starting in September. The activities are run by trainers using the facilities for the Sports Centre rather than organized by the sports center themselves but if you are interested in one you can ask them for the trainers contact details or go the center and purvey the posters for all that is on offer!

I went into the Busy Pin Cushion Shop (wool ribbon thread, needles etc) and had a chat with the lady their about craft clubs. She didn’t know any running at the moment she said she had run a crochet evening but it had died out – sighting busy lives and people (women for it was all women in the group) found it difficult to find an evening that would suit them all or that they could commit too. On the upside she said a lot of people bought wool last year to knit Christmas gifts. So there is still the interest out there is just the getting together that is sometimes difficult. She was a really lovely lady I hope I find some reason (a craft group!) to go back and buy something from her.

21st Aug Monday

Rang Rebecca from the Sherkin Choir. The choir started two years ago and are going from strength to strength. They wont be starting practice until October when they start getting ready for Christmas.

Ordered my books for the Library Book Club should have them by the end of the week.

Back in the Library I have a read of the Southern Star newspaper to see what going on, there was a report of road bowling, something I’d love to see. I wonder will I come across any road bowlers?

Had a look at the Library notice board for this going on too.

Popped into the Arts Centre where I got a call from Thomas of the Drumming Centre. They do classes for any age group or type and like groups to contact them to arrange this. Thomas has invited me to come along if a suitable group arises (beginners!) hopefully it will. www.drums-ireland.com

20th Aug 06 Sunday

Email from Skibbereen Bell Ringers
http://www.abbeystrewry.com/bellringers_page.htm

19th Aug 06 Saturday

Went to the Farmers Market (10-12 Saturdays in the car park across from the AIB). It had a wonderful atmosphere and enough irresistible produce to send me scurrying to the bank machine after pledging myself at several stalls. I bought half a round of smoked Gubeen cheese (it may well take me the month to eat it but it wont be a chore!), chorizo also from Gubeen, a loaf or organic brown soda bead (something I yearn for when away from these shores) a tub of chicken liver pate from ‘On The Wild Side’ which knocks the socks off anything from the supermarket, a bar of delicious Belgian chocolate from a couple who bring it over from Belgium themselves and two necklaces one with semi precious stones and one beaded from a lady who makes them herself. Also had a chat with a gentleman who makes record breaking vegetables www.alaskagiant.com (size wise) but he spoke about the fact that although the vegetables were of an unusually large size they were also of a very good quality nutritionally. He showed me an instrument that checks nutrients that he uses to make sure of this. He has managed to grown such stunning veg through use of a special fertilizing mixture. However he explained that this isn’t something it wants to keep secret but he wants to spread the word to improve crop quality and make for happier gazing animals (cows would only need to eat half the grass for example if it was of a higher quality). I love this market attitude of the people involved in it like John Evans that it is all about quality produce. I wish I lived near it all the time!

Got my photograph taken for the Southern Star newspaper and joined the Library (€2.50 for the year).

Went to the Cinemobile wwww.cinemobile.net, which was visiting Skibbereen for the weekend. They normally visit twice a year but haven’t actually been here for three years! I saw ‘The Wind that Shakes the Barley’ by Ken Loach. Yes it was in essence sitting in the back of a lorry watching a film but you wouldn’t know it once the lights go down. I imagine from the crowd there that some of them were there for the experience of having a mobile cinema in town rather than the film. I hope they make it a more regular event.

Trad session in the Corner Bar (Bridge St, 028 21522). We (lynn Harris and I) arrived around 8.30 to an empty bar and after an hour when only one other person came in we were wondering if there was going to be a session however at 10 o’clock the musician’s arrived with a crowd in tow. After watching earlier a film that portrays an aspect of the Irish struggles in 1920, it was even more moving to listen to the ballads played and sung. The crowd stayed jammed shoulder to shoulder at one end of the bar next to the musicians while the rest of the bar stood empty, it was all about being close to the action.

18th Aug 06 Friday

Arrived in Skibbereen.

Set up Studio in Skibbereen Library
Skibbereen Library,
North Street,
Skibbereen,
Co Cork.
Tel: 028-22400
E-mail: skibbereenlibrary@corkcoco.ie


Spoke to Delores who runs the Library about their reading group, they meet once a month generally on a Thursday, the next meeting is on Thursday 14th September to discuss ‘Grace and Truth’ by Jennifer Johnston and ‘Digging to America’ by Anne Tyler. I’m going read the both books and go along.

Got phone call from Jim from Skibbereen and District Historical Society with an invitation to join them on a historical tour of Dingle on the 9th.

Press Release
West Cork Arts Centre
Archiving Skibbereen
18 August to 17 September 2006

Archiving Skibbereen is an art project with a difference. Artist Neva Elliott is seeking groups from Skibbereen and district to teach her their skills. Neva is looking for the opportunity to learn any new activity from football to writing, ceramics to speech making, animal welfare to singing.

If you are part of a group, society, or club, of any type or any size, drop in and see Neva at the Archiving Skibbereen Studio or send information to her on your group. The Archiving Skibbereen Studio will be at a number of locations around Skibbereen from 18 August to 17 September. Look at the Southern Star to see where the Studio will be located.

Neva Elliott is on residency for four weeks in Skibbereen to devote her time exclusively to participating in and researching the activities of local groups and to form a personal snap shot of Skibbereen and district society. She will create an archive of this information which will be exhibited at West Cork Arts Centre as part of the exhibition Fresh: Re-imagining the Collection.

Neva is based in a mobile, temporary studio space that she has specifically designed to allow her to work in different environments. It allows her to rove, either with the flat pack studio itself, or with the plans to reconstruct it. Materials for constructing the studio are readily available, lengths of two by two, plywood and brackets. The mobile studio is a lean-to structure with a dual role; it is dependent on and a supplement to the place in which it is built. It delineates a space for artistic activity and it is a nucleus for interactions with the new environment.

Archiving Skibbereen is a commentary on the diversity of human interests and interaction. The artist is interfacing with the environment and society through participation with individuals and groups and the accumulation of experience and knowledge. The audience relationship is as significant a material to her work, as any physical construct. Neva’s presence and investigation into group activity draws attention to the nature of social encounters. Her timetable over the coming weeks will be increasingly generated by those who she meets and through casual or intentional communications and networks.

Born 1976 Neva Elliott is an Irish artist living and working in London where she has recently completed a Masters in Fine Art at Central St. Martins.

For further information or to contribute to Archiving Skibbereen please contact:

Ann Davoren 028 22090 annwestcorkarts@eircom.net or Neva Elliott info@nevaelliott.com 087 2801597