Frazzled!!!

What a couple of days!! Yesterday was too hectic to even get to the computer. School had to stay open an extra hour to accomodate RTE who were doing as piece on the threatened closure of small schools. The cameraman arrived at about 1pm and did some random filming of the children 'at work' and 'at play'. I had the very glamorous and important job of ringing the bell and bringing them in - we still have an old brass hand bell - this took at least 5 takes including close-up! Pascal Sheehey, important presenter, duly arrived and I had to leave the classroom while he interviewed the Principal with the children - we didn't want the teacher:children ratio to look too wonderful.

In the evening there was a public meeting about the same issue and RTE also came to this. Clara, the principal, was hoping for about 130 people - over 800 turned up!!! It was quite incredible. The passion and strength of feeling was immense and everyone from pupils to teachers, parents to grannies all had their say. 7 parents had taken a ferry from Bere Island and travelled big distances to get here. The main anger is obviously about education, but also the impact closing village schools will have on the community and in rural Ireland in general. The minister is to be invited down to West Cork, and if he declines the next move is to march on the Dail (Parliament)!

Today the phone has not stopped ringing in school - Clara had done three radio interviews and spoken to a handful of other principals around the country. We also watched ourselves on the 1pm news - all two minutes of it- but a fabulous two minutes!! It might be on again at the 6pm news if any one can get RTE - look out for the exceptional bell ringing!

Hideous weather so today's blip is of the settle - still loitering in the conservatory. It's been a few lively colours in its time.

And please dont forget about the February blipmeet over here - one or two people are still umming and aahing - g'wan g'wan!!
Ooh, and I see this is my 600th blip!!
And a quick backblip