EASTER DAY
This morning brings memories of new coats and hats. This was the drill for church on Easter Sunday, a new coat picked out by my mum, one she liked and usually one I disliked. My two brothers, mum and dad all together to sing the glorious hymns, in later years actually understanding what it is all about and that’s what annoys me. Many young people have come to understand the lead up to the Crucifixion and the Resurrection through theatre and film and of course art, sadly there are those who condemn the Easter story when portrayed anywhere except within the narrow and confining walls of a church. I was closely involved with the Ulster Actors production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Arts Theatre and the audience were mesmerised and shocked by the graphic story told on stage. One young man said to me on his way out: “Now I understand.” I saw the production in London and there were two Cockney women sitting behind me and the conversation during the interval was fascinating. “Who’s the woman?” “Mary Magdalene.” “Who’s the man”. “Jesus, her friend.” “What happens in the end?”
I also remember with my own family attending Easter Sunday Mass in Sacre Coeur Paris when the Parisians conducted the service and it was spectacular and for me anyway, held deep meaning. For the last two years such worship has been difficult if not impossible, today there will be congregations meeting and greeting and finding joy in this day. For others it will be a zoom service and thank goodness for this opportunity.
THE COMMERCIAL SIDE OF EASTER
Years ago I took a huge uncontrollable notion for Mars Bars. Even in the middle of a Saturday afternoon I’d sneak off and buy half a dozen bars and hide them away from the family even though I never really like them before. What was going on? Football! Television coverage I realised was sponsored by Cadburys – my desire for the chocolate bar was also sponsored by Cadburys thanks to advertising signs all round the perimeter of the football ground excelling the tasty sweetmeat. It just proves the power of advertising.
It was the same with Babysham – this was the drink for young impressionable ladies, thankfully I didn’t like it so I wasn’t inveigled into becoming hooked. Babycham was the first alcoholic product to be advertised on commercial television, the campaign being launched in 1957, with the drink originally marketed as a “genuine champagne perry”. It was the first alcoholic drink aimed specifically at women and used the catchphrase “I’d Love a Babycham”.
“I’d love a white lemonade” doesn’t have quite the same ring to it!
Oscar Wilde said that the best way to overcome temptation is to give into it! Which brings me to the checkout!
The power of positioning desirable delights in supermarkets is a science but one which is being challenged. You might well be cracking open a chocolate egg today gifted to you by someone who saw it amongst Easter chocolate bunnies and picked it up on the way to the till or even at the till. £370 million is reckoned to be spent on these chocolate treat this weekend. Did you contribute to that ginormous amount? No I didn’t but I did indulge in a chocolate fudge cake so I am not blameless.
Our weird government are getting their knickers in a twist about fat, salt and sugar because we are indulging too much and it’s not good for us. So as part their anti-obesity strategy there will be to prohibit ‘volume deals’ including buy one get one free or high fat, salt or sugar laden items close to the tills.
Not only this, apparently a government ban on junk food advertising online and before 9 p.m. on television is due to kick in next wear.
Something puzzles me – No added sugar, What does this mean? The item might have already a high content of sugar but nothing has been added therefore it is still high in sugar. Wording is all important and can be slewed in such a way we are being conned without realising it.
‘1984’ becomes more of a reality every day.
Who on earth wants to get up before sunrise to go for a five kilometre walk? Well, millions all over the world will be doing just that on Saturday 7th May. Why? To walk from the dark of night into the light of day, from Chicago to Costa del Sol, Luxembourg to Hong Kong, Derry to Cahersiveen, a wonderful global experience as the sun rises and torches can be turned off and surroundings come into soft focus as dawn breaks. In Ireland at 4.15 a.m. people will be on the move, many thousands will walk for charity and there’s a walk near you, in fact in Northern Ireland 16 in total with others preferring to meet friends to do their own walk or perhaps go for a swim, no matter what the money raised is vitally important.
WHY WOULD YOU TAKE ON THIS CHALLENGE?
To raise money for Pieta in the Republic of Ireland and its partner charities in Northern Ireland.
The Pieta charity was established in Co. Dublin in 2006, three years later 400 walkers took on Phoenix Park, this year 200,000 will take part all round the world. Pieta operates solely in RoI specifically to offer one-to-one therapeutic services for people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts, people who have attempted suicide and those who are engaging in self-harm. A doctor’s referral is not required nor is a psychiatric report. Staff are fully qualified and everything is free of charge.
Helping raise the profile of mental health and the work of Peitra and their partners is Electric Ireland who have sponsored these events sInce 2017 and realise the importance of walking from the darkness of despair into the light of hope. This is the first walk for two years and there’s excitement already as people get together to plan.
One of the most beautiful mornings was surely when a group in Donegal organised a boat from Burtonport to Arranmore Island where they walked into the sunrise accompanied by a cuckoo perhaps applauding them, perhaps in wonder. Once they’d walked to the lighthouse, greeting surprised lambs on the way, it was downhill to the community centre for singing and dancing, scones and hot tea, perhaps a wee warmer as well. Then it was back on board the ferry and home in time for breakfast. They plan to surprise the lambs again in May.
Pascal McAnenly is one of the committee members in Ballygawley Co. Tyrone and organiser for the 2022 walk in his area.
“I’ve done the walk five times and the commitment of people is impressive. We’ll have over 1,000 this year and there will be hope and joy also emotion as there will be those who have needed support in the past and those who are actually experiencing suicidal thoughts so we’ll have helpers along the way looking out for someone perhaps walking alone, they’ll give a smile, say hello, hopefully engage that person in conversation if they wish. We’ll have musicians and there’ll be a feeling of hope and meaning and awareness because the number of people needing help is rising due to all the pressures at the moment, cost of living, Covid, social media bullying and projecting the perfect life that we can’t have.”
In 2020 Pieta delivered over 52,000 hours of counselling, managed over 70,000 crisis support calls and texts and directly supported over 600 households devastated by the loss of a loved one by suicide. Their 24 hour free crisis helpline in the South of Ireland is 1800 247247 or text HELP 51444 if you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, engaging in self harm or have been bereaved by suicide. To make an appointment call 0818 111 126, no referral is needed.
In Northern Ireland there are fourteen charities to contact all supported by Darkness into Light donations. For further details of help in your area phone Niamh Louise Centre Dungannon 028 8775 3327. Councillors at Lifeline support are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to listen and help in confidence. Their number is 0808 808 8000. Samaritans are also 24/7 and their freephone number is 116123.
Register for the walk at darknessintolight.com then go to Northern Ireland for details.
Sadly the demand for the service is increasing so the Darkness into Light Walk is more important than ever this year.
ON OUR DOORSTEP
With the current chaos at airports and seaports more and more people will be deciding to stay at home and experience excellent Irish hospitality. Donegal is a real draw and there are fetes and fairs all over the county. Easter and early summer are times when many families pack up and head for the west of Ireland. One of the attractions is the well known Kilclooney Country Market held on Saturday mornings during the holiday season with a special market yesterday, great success.
It’s held in The Tavern on the road from Ardara to Portnoo, not only hand made crafts from chutneys and jams, jewellery to crochet blankets, drift wood to ceramics but also tables of fresh bakes, cakes, scones and tarts and others with fresh vegetables and you can have breakfast, tea and coffee. Guaranteed craic and something for everyone, I love it. For more information, dates and map search Kilclooney Country Market.
Not far away along the road to Rosberg Dawros Bay House is holding the first ever holistic week from Tuesday 19th of April to Sunday 24th of April. The week will feature holistic treatments, workshops, walks and talks, yoga, Tai Chi, aromatherapy, reiki, cold water therapy, and horse trekking. There is also laughter yoga, as well as art classes and at the weekend on Friday and Saturday a Holistic craft fair featuring home baking. Donegal is certainly a place of healthy fun and frolics. More at https://www.facebook.com/Revive-at-Rosbeg-RR-101896565739081
ANYONE FOR TENNIS?
Why would a lovely woman like Serina Williams dress like this? Not very flattering in my opinion.
All part of promoting the new film in which she and her tell their life story and rise to greatness. Elegant and powerful on the court but a bit over the top off the court.
THINKING OF UKRAINE. MANY SERVICES OF ALL BACKGROUNDS WILL INCLUDE PRAYERS FOR PEACE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY REDUCED TO RUINS OVER SUCH A SHORT TIME AND FOR MEN WOMEN AND CHILDREN SO MERCILESSLY ATTACKED. MAY THOSE PRAYERS BE ANSWERED SOON, VERY SOON.