Dear Editor– Season’s Greetings to all from the North Pole!

Letters are pouring in from all around the world so I would like to remind all the boys and girls in West Cork to write and post their letters to me as soon as possible.

This is what the boys and girls need should do: write their own letter to me; put it in an envelope, seal it and address it to ‘Santa Claus, The North Pole’; write their own name and full postal address (in clear handwriting) on the top left-hand corner on the front of the envelope. The other steps are: stick a national ‘N’ rate stamp on the top right-hand corner; post it in a green An Post postbox – that’s important! My friends in An Post are helping me to reply to as many children’s letters as possible again this year.

Wishing everyone a very Happy and Magical Christmas.

Santa Claus,

The North Pole.

P.S.  Rudolph and his friends, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen are looking forward to some nice treats along the way.

Bandon deserves a pool and a cinema

EDITOR -  I was in good spirits after reading your article about plans to get another swimming pool for the area. It is heartening to see that a steering committee has been set up to get a public pool for Bandon.

People here don’t want to be traveling to Dunmanway or even Baltimore, just to stay healthy and enjoy a swim. I really hope that kind of roundtrip will soon be a thing of the past.

Storms have battered Bandon and surrounding towns in the last months. That’s another reason why we need the most basic of amenities in the places where we live. When bad weather strikes, we can’t always be traveling long distances to and from home to enjoy a dip, especially those of us who are elderly. Of course you could say go and swim in the sea, but most people would say it’s too cold.

While the news of a steering committee has to be welcomed, it really baffles me that a town like Bandon hasn’t got its own swimming pool yet, or even a cinema. With more than 8,000 people Bandon has one of the largest populations of any town in West Cork. We are in a prime spot on the way to Cork and people in the town are crying out for these facilities.

Bandon is a fantastic place and deserves a lively public life. An important part of that are cinemas and swimming pools. We really don’t want to be left high and dry.

Marc O’Sullivan,

Bandon.

Extended dog leads pose risks in traffic

EDITOR - It has come to my attention recently that the use of those wonderful ‘stretchy’ leads for our canine friends comes with quite a serious caveat. I’m referring to those that boast a very long, spring-loaded lead that rolls up into the handle.

These offer amazing freedom and control all at once when on a woodland walk or on the wilds of your favourite West Cork beach, but dog owners please be very mindful about using these in urban areas or anywhere that you may encounter moving vehicles.

On two occasions recently, I have seen people enjoying a nice walk around town with their furry friends, but with the leads at full extension and as a result the little animals have had very close calls with traffic.

On one particular occasion the owner was stopped safely on the footpath for a chat (as one does) but was seemingly oblivious to the fact that his dog, even though tethered, had still managed to sniff its way out between two parked cars and into oncoming traffic.

Kudos to all and any responsible owners for walking their pets and having them on a lead, but maybe just a little word of caution – please keep your beloved pets a little closer to you when there’s any chance of traffic. Drivers will see you much quicker than they’ll see your little buddy.

Margaret Phelan,

Skibbereen.

Pressure on families let down by the system

EDITOR - As we mark 40 years of service by the Daughters of Charity Child and Family Service in Wicklow, it is deeply troubling to see how much pressure families in Ireland continue to face.

The DoCCFS Annual Report shows a sharp rise in referrals to child and family services, up 25% since the pandemic, and a growing number of children experiencing anxiety and mental health challenges. Parental mental health is now the leading reason for child welfare concerns reported to Tusla, and nearly a third of cases remain open after assessments due to safety concerns.

Behind these numbers are families in crisis, struggling to access basic supports like school places, housing, and timely assessments of need. Many are being let down by a system that, rather than supporting them, too often re-traumatises those already vulnerable.

It is not enough for individual services to fill the gaps. What we urgently need is a whole-of-government response, one that is coordinated, early, and sustained. The most vulnerable families in our society cannot wait any longer.

Dr Tracey Monson

CEO, Daughters of Charity Child and Family Services.

School site neglect

EDITOR - I was shocked to read about the state of Sacred Heart School in Clonakilty. I honesty could not believe my eyes.  It sounds like something out of the history books. Rats, leaks and dry rot… you might hear of that in the education system long ago. But we live in the 21st century and our young people deserve much better.

Sacred Heart is a fantastic school and many members of my family have attended it over the years. This is a really appalling state of affairs and the Senator is right to put the pressure on.

Brenda O’Neill,

Clonakilty.