The rapidly-changing face of our area undergoes another loss this Christmas. Bath Street and the closely knit streets off it are a community in itself, but sadly a lot of the old brigade have either moved out or passed on.

Since1942, Larry Skinner’s shop has been the community centre for this homely location in Irishtown. But with the recent announcement of Larry’s retirement, this Christmas will be his last behind his ever-busy counter. Another era comes to an end.

Once you got to know Larry or he got to know you, you became simply one of his friends. He will chat about anything and everything. If it’s advice you are looking for, you have come to the right man. The bould Larry was simply part of the furniture.

Now I don’t want this to sound like his obituary, because there is plenty of life left in this robust character. His love of life will now give him more time to pursue his hobbies. As a great classical music listener and also interested in the theatre, he will have plenty of time to enjoy.

As a stalwart member of the Half Moon Swimming Club, he will still keep in direct contact with our area. Unknown to many, one of his great skills is to compose a limerick in record time. In fact, he has promised News Four many times to submit a batch to us, that is, after they have passed the censors scrutiny!

You often hear it said that you don’t see as many characters as you used to. Well, Larry Skinner, you can take a bow as one of our great characters and, what’s more, a gentleman of long standing in our community. With every best wish for a long and happy retirement.

As a nation, we are a drinking people, and no more so than at Christmas. The majority of the adult population enjoys alcohol in moderation. Sadly, a minority develops alcohol-related problems.

But the word ‘minority’ must be put in context. One hundred and seventy five thousand people in Ireland are classified as ‘problem drinkers’, with up to 1,750,000 people being directly affected by alcohol abuse.

The Hanly Centre was founded in 1978 to help individuals and families affected by alcohol abuse. They are a community-based organisation whose services include counselling, education, group therapy and intervention programmes.

As a disease, alcoholism affects a person physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It is progressive and can also be fatal.

The various services and courses offered within the Hanly Centre help the individual confront the reality of his or her condition in order to recover. This may be done through intervention, where the objective is to get the alcoholic to accept professional help. The people closest to the alcoholic confront the person in an objective and non-judgemental manner with the reality of his or her condition. Pre-intervention counselling for the family members is essential if the intervention is to be successful.

The Hanly Centre is not state-aided and therefore depends on public contributions for support. Fees for courses and counselling vary, but they do bring individual financial positions into consideration.

The staff are trained addiction counsellors and are accredited to- either the Irish Association of Alcohol Addiction Counsellors or the Irish Association of Counselling and Therapy.

For further information on any aspect of difficulties with alcohol or substance abuse, contact the Hanley Centre.