SIOPA GLAS
Open Tuesday – Friday : 9.30am – 5pm
Saturday: 9.30 am – 3pm
Contact: Breda: 087 7820211: / Máire: 087 2424934
Is Féidir Linn!. www.ballonvillage.com
Proceeds to Enhance Ballon Village & Ballon National School.
Mature volunteers wanted to help in Siopa Glas. Call in and have a chat.
There are many advantages in being a volunteer and you’ll get as much out as you put in.
24/11/17
Rathoe Active Retirement Christmas afternoon tea
Pictured is Mary Nolan from Rathoe prizewinner at the event. Mary is a volunteer at Siopa Glas.
But also a member of tbe Rathoe Active Retired Club
29/9/17
Left to Right: Barry Brennan, Valerie Curran DS Carlow, Eimear and P.J. Hennessy, Josie Hennessy, Mark O’Keeffe, missing from photo Mary Murphy.
Many thanks to all who contributed and to Josie & Mary who completed the Women’s Mini Marathon on behalf of Down Syndrome Carlow.
23/9/17
The annual collection for Down Syndrome was held in Siopa Glas on Saturday 23/9/17. It was very well attended and the organisers thank all that lent their support.
Shown are: Antoinette Cummins, Roseanna Byrne, Maria Doyle, Emily Kyle, Geraldine Kyle, June Byrne
26/7/17
Mud kitchen
Made from stuff saved from landfill from Siopa Glas.
Available to order. Ideal for the summer holidays for the young ones.
14/7/17
Michael adds the web address to the Siopa Stand
30/6/17
As reported in the Nationalist 27/6/17
If one man’s trash is another man’s treasure then Ballon’s Siopa Glas is a veritable trove. This little gem epitomises a Green Business, minimising waste in the community by offering clothing, unwanted household items, furniture, books and more for resale. Since opening its doors in 2012, Siopa Glas has been the main source of funding for the Ballon Improvement Group, which works tirelessly to enhance the beauty of Ballon Village and the Ballon School Garden and Wildlife Area. Scarecrow’s peeping over hedges, bug hotels, bird feeders swaying in the breeze are just some of the initiatives bringing this engaged community together.
The idea for a community charity shop, emerged while long time community advocate Máire George was on holidays in Australia. Ballon is situated on a busy main road, with good footfall and is located in the heart of county Carlow, and so a site owned by the George’s was very generously donated to house this trendy upcycle hub. As the shop has gone from strength to strength, so too has the village, with all profits being poured into the locality. From improved footpaths and colourful flowers, to a wonderful outdoor classroom and garden for the school, to aiding local sports teams and the opening of the beautiful new nature walkway “Sli an Dulra” – there is no area of the village that hasn’t benefited from this fantastic resource.
Not only does the Siopa Glas stock all manner of preloved goods, (and a selection of new bits too) which are donated by the local community, the shop also acts as a local meeting point, where goodwill is met with great spirit and occasionally some fire side trad music too. During the winter month’s there are “Remake and Remodel” Workshops and delicious locally baked cakes and buns are often on sale at charity Tea Days and Coffee Mornings. The shop has won many awards, including the Environmental Protection award for Waste Minimisation.
One of the shops best sellers is the huge array of baby equipment and clothes, with local Granny’s and Grandad’s often stocking their houses for when their little people come to visit. There’s also a sweet cart for hire for your local wedding or other special occasion.
Siopa Glas opens Tuesday to Friday, 9.30 to 5pm, closing at the earlier time of 3pm on Saturday’s. It is run entirely by volunteers, chief among them Shop Manager, Breda Wray who has been lending more than a helping hand since opening day. The shop couldn’t function without the help of all of the volunteers, along with the aid of Tus workers and help is always welcome and appreciated. If you can lend a hand or if you are in search of a good quality bargain, call in or give Máire a shout on 087 2424934. Also, in store you can find out more about the upcoming Ballon Heritage Week, which runs from August 19th – 26th, and promises to offer something for all ages, including art and nature workshops and an eco barbeque.
29/6/17
We wish Tara Grey from Clonegal the very best in her new post in Wexford.
Tara was a great team player at SIOPA Glas and a trojan worker for our community.
2/3/17
24/2/17
