Monday, 9th January: Day 9 & Tuesday, 10th January: Day 10

Again, a bulletin of several parts.

Firstly, the Knotty Knitters returned today from Christmas Vacation - YAY!

While a small meeting, everybody was on fine form and many have completed projects over the break and are about to start something new. For my part, I finished one of a pair of Gents wristies for the shop, and began the pair.

Also, Eugenie has given the nod for a second, complementary club, which will run Thursday afternoons, starting from 14.00 on a drop-in, drop-out basis, in the Cultural Quarters and will be open to all knitters and crocheters who want to come, whether they already go to Knotty Knitters or not. The Tearooms are also open during this time, so come on in and enjoy some stitching and socialisation.

The second piece of creativity for yesterday and today was, the creation of The Cultural Quarters' own blog, which is located here: http://ballinamoreculturalquarters.blogspot.com/

and will be the best place on the web to keep up with all the busy goings on in this fabulous new project right in the heart of Ballinamore.

Last, but by no means least, I did promise you a mini interview with dynamic project leader Tracy Murray, who is spearheading the whole Cultural Quarters development, and here it is:

* So, all this activity and excitement has the town buzzing. What exactly are we doing with the place?

We have been given a fabulous opportunity to open up this historic building as a place for everyone, a venue for arts, crafts, music, poetry, pretty much anything that people want (within reason). The main idea is to keep the centre of our town vibrant and to provide interest for both locals and tourists alike.

* You mention it's a historic building. Wasn't this the old police barracks?

Yes, in fact John McGahern's father was stationed here during that time. The premises were then taken over and operated by Deirdre as a bakery/cafe with a clothes shop above, then later it's returned to those roots with the vintage clothing shop and tearooms now both on the ground floor (with outdoor seating for the tearooms coming this spring) and it has also become an events space as well as the home of the Ballinamore Free Fringe Festival which launched last year.

* It really is great down here! (and anyone who's not already been in to look around and have the "grand tour") So how can people get involved?

There are so many ways that people can help. Broadly, these fit into two categories - material and non-material things that we need. This is our current wishlist:

Material items ~

• Paint
• Furniture (especially tables)
• Plants
• Money

Other, Non-Material Items ~

• Ideas (we have the space, now lets use it. - Every suggestion within reason will be considered and we will support as many ideas as we can)
• Plumber(s)
• Gardeners
• Skilled and Unskilled Volunteer pairs of hands

* Sounds great! When is all this taking place?

We're open every week, Tuesday - Saturday from 10.00 to 18.00 and at other times by arrangement.

Drop in any time or reach us through the Cultural Quarters' page on facebook or through our blog at http://ballinamoreculturalquarters.blogspot.com/

As each room gets finished, it will be up and operational. We currently have the Vintage Clothing Shop, the Tearooms, Antiques Shop and Reading Room all open. The events room upstairs is hosting the regular Saturday Flea Market (10.00 - 15.00) and is available to book at other times.

* That's a lot of things already. What are some of the other things we can look forward to?

• Burns' Night (January 25th)
• Craftsy Crafters Day Party (January 26th)
• Flea Market every Saturday
• Music and Spanish Classes with Leo
• Italian Classes with Al
• Textiles classes
• Knitting Club
• Poets' Breakfasts
• Gigs (Music, Comedy,... you name it!)
• Free Fringe Festival (Annually in August)
• Astronomy Club
• Spiral Scouts International (local level)
• Spaces to curl up with a book or to study
• Indoors and Outdoors spaces to enjoy a cuppa (outdoors coming later this spring)