22nd March, 2001
As the Douglas Weekly begins it’s forth year
I look back on all the people I’ve met down through the
years. The interviews I’ve done and the very interesting
people I’ve met. People I have never known have now become
my friends. A lot of them believe, as I do, that we need a sense
of community in Douglas. As Douglas grows bigger and bigger every
year, now more than ever we need to pause and reflect on what we
have become. Are we aware that not everybody has benefited from
the ‘Celtic Tiger’ (Ross Anderson’s opinion of the
Celtic Tiger is ‘All teeth, no taste!”) I spoke to a
nun recently home from the missions in a very poor area of Brazil.
They have no social welfare, sometimes the only income that the
family receive is the state provided old age pension, and that
feeds and keeps the whole family. But she told me that nobody
ever goes hungry as long as the neighbour has a loaf of bread.
They share their food with their neighbours, knowing that next
month they could be in a similar situation. We could learn a lot
from the poor. Oh, and if you see sister Bride collecting in the
shopping centres, give something, you’ll feel better for it.
I spoke to a reader today and I asked him how his son was doing.
He told me that his son was going to college, but dropped out,
because he wanted to do his own thing. The father, a wise man,
decided that to put pressure on his son was an unwise move and
that when the young man had found his goal in life he would be a
better and happier individual. Good thinking!
Speaking of young people, are we doing enough for them? I know I’ve
spoken and written about this subject before. In our area we have
a huge teenage population. Youth clubs are of a different area.
They hang around shops, shopping centres, housing estates, and
they’re always moved on. They should have a place to ‘hang
out’. It wouldn’t cost a lot to provide a centre for
them. We’re told there’s buckets of money around, but
are our local politicians doing enough to instigate some sort of
community spirit to highlight our social needs. I’ve spoken
to some local business people who would be more than happy to
‘chip in’ and help to finance a project which would
provide a centre for our young people. I’ll be making
contact with the politicians shortly. I’ll let you know the
outcome over the next few weeks.
When I moved to Shamrock Lawn 20 years ago it had a very active
residents association. Once a year, usually at Christmas time,
they organised a social in a local hotel. People mixed and got to
know each other, and made friends. For a couple of pounds a year
subscription the estates grass was cut, one could borrow the
chimney brushes, or whatever tools or implements the association
had. But sadly, the association died out, and now one of the
biggest estates in Douglas has no representative. Collectively,
people get things done, individually, it’s a tough battle.
Should you decide to form a residents association in your area,
we offer you access to the Douglas Weekly to promote your aims to
form a residents association. There is no charge for community
adverts in the ‘Weekly. Who knows, the Shamrock Lawn
Residents Association might rise again!
I love the Lobby Bar and music venue. I went there last Wednesday
night to see and hear American singer/songwriter Buddy Mondlock,
accompanied by Carol Elliott on harmony vocals. Where would you
get such superb entertainment for £7. The guy has more talent in
his fingernail than all the boybands in the world!! Buddy has a
very gentle voice and there was total silence and order for his
singing. The great thing about the Lobby is that the audience go
to see the artiste, not because they drifted in, or had nothing
else to do. In the words of Mickey Newbury, “They came to
hear the music”. Great to see Frankfield Parish Priest, Fr.
Dan Crowley, at the concert. I know he, like the rest of us,
enjoyed the concert. I’m glad I brought my camera!! Lobby,
keep up the good work.
BBC1 TV on this Friday night at 10.15 has Irish Country singer
Hugo Duncan paying a visit to Nashville to meet one of his idols,
country music songwriter supreme, Tom. T. Hall. One of the best
country songs ever written was by Tom T, it’s called, “Old
dogs, children and watermelon wine”. Two lines from the song
make it a classic, “Old dogs care about you even when you
make mistakes, God bless little children while they’re still
too young to hate”. You’ll enjoy Tom T. Hall, watch it!!
Finally, hope to see you all at the Mothers Day / Douglas Rose
night at Rochestown Park Hotel next Sunday night. Good luck to
all the girls on the night.
Bye for now,
Michael O’Hanlon.
