Cappoquin Community Centre 2008

Waterford County Council Hosts Gala Award Ceremony in Cappoquin Community Centre, November 8th, 2008

 

Behind the scenes Photo Gallery 

Last year Waterford County Council was invited to host the prestigious annual Pride of Place Awards ceremony. In preparing for the event personnel from the Community and Enterprise department at Waterford County Council investigated a number of possible venues and selected Cappoquin Community Centre as the most appropriate location for the event. In their joint address to the five hundred visiting delegates Waterford’s Mayor Higgins and County Manager Ray O’Dwyer wrote;

 “It is fitting that we celebrate this great occasion in Cappoquin Community Centre which in itself is a testament to what communities can achieve when local people power is harnessed in a focused and ambitious way.”

Cappoquin Community Centre is managed by Cappoquin Community Development Company under the stewardship of Cathy McGrath. From the outset, Waterford County Council and the Cappoquin Development Company established a project team of hard working, creative and committed people to transform the newly built community facility into a venue befitting the occasion.

In addition to creating the appropriate ambience the facility also had to serve as an able catering facility for Eunice Power from Powersfield House, Dungarvan. The menu for the occasion was designed by Eunice Power from Powersfield House and Paul Flynn, The Tannery.  The event programme featured the menu which was based on locally sourced produce and its expert execution drew countless positive comments from guests to the event.

To run an event of this size and calibre requires the input of a large team of willing volunteers and Waterford County Council was hugely assisted by a large number of its staff who gave their time voluntarily to make the event a great success. County Council staff both indoor and outdoor were assisted by a team of contributors from Dungarvan Town Council, the Cappoquin Community Development Company, the Cappoquin Flower Club, Blackwater Community School, and members of the wider Cappoquin Community. The Gardai, Civil Defence and the Fire Brigade were also on hand to lend their service as and when required.

On their departure from the event all guests were presented with a Waterford Festival of Food reuseable bag filled with treats prepared by Lismore Heritage Company and students from the Blackwater Community School. Flahavan’s sample products, Crinnaughtan Apple Juice and Mary McGrath Jams were included in the gift bags.

Waterford County Council received sponsorship from Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurances Ltd, FBD Trust, Failte Ireland, Lanigan & Curran and Dawn Meats. Without this generous support from the business community the standard of the event would have been compromised.

In conclusion, the Pride of Place Ceremony, as hosted by Waterford County Council was in itself an example of people working together to a common, positive purpose. Volunteers from all sections of Waterford County Council and Dungarvan Town Council gave generously and voluntarily of their time and expertise to ensure that the event was a wonderful showcase for County Waterford. The feedback suggests that it was an immensely enjoyable event for the invited guests from around the country but so too did it prove to be a wonderful occasion for all those who contributed to its success.