Mrs Quin's - Goodbye 2009!
2009 was a year to forget as quickly as possible for anyone in business. As well as reduced donations and the return of so many good customers to Eastern Europe, we had to battle the appalling weather, culminating in the record floods in November. The photos were all taken in the vicinity of a Mrs Quin’s shop, yet staff and volunteers stayed open as long as it was possible to do so.
The Mrs Quin’s shops have proved their worth and managers and volunteers can be proud of their achievement. Extreme conditions bring out the best in people and that was proved over and over.
Gort probably fared worst, with the manager having to be taken home on a tractor. Yet they hardly missed a day. BBC Brazil made a TV documentary featuring the shop, as the large population of Brazilians was badly hit in a flooded estate. They flocked to Mrs Quin’s to buy what they could afford, while members of the public brought bedding and warm clothes to give away following an appeal.
Ennis and Ballinasloe were both badly flooded, but the only other shop to close for more than a couple of hours was the one in Cork’s North Main Street, which was inundated overnight, with a lot of stock being spoiled. Even so it was open the following afternoon, thanks to manager Angie and volunteers.
In the Midlands, Athy and Carlow got their share of rain when the River Barrow burst its banks; we were fortunate to be above the high tide mark in Clonmel.
We hope for better things in 2010, but as I write, we are starting on a third week of frost and snow. — Marjorie Quarton.