Banbrid e VIP Club Trustees, Annual Re
ort
1StA
ril 2022 - 31st March 2023
Banbridge VIP Club is a Voluntary Organisation for local blind and
partially-sighted people. The Club was established with a formal
Constitution in 1989 and we are a Registered Charity (NIC 10086).
The trustees for the charity are Mr Sammy Wilson (Chairman), Mrs
Marjorie Hodgen, {Vice-Chair), Miss Peggy Magill, (Treasurer), Mr
Colin Crompton, Mrs Eleanor Pescod, Mrs Doreen McFarlane and
Mrs Doreen Brown. {Secretary).
This report has been prepared with regard to the Commission's
public benefit requirements statutory guidance.
We continue with our aim of providing a social outlet for blind and
partially-sighted people in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council
Area.
During the summer months we organised several outings, some in
conjunction with other visually impaired groups in the district. These
trips give our members an opportunity to take part in activities which
fully sighted people take for granted, thus improving their quality of
life.
In July, we were delighted to be able to celebrate the Queen's
Platinum Jubilee with dinner in the Belmont Hotel, Banbridge and
are indebted to the ABC Council who provided funding for this event.
In September 2022, we took our group of visually impaired people
and friends on a respite break to Scotland, which was thoroughly

enjoyed by all. Unfortunately, on our return, three of our members
contracted Covid but happily they have each made a full recovery.
The Trustees are pleased to report that, after two years of Covid
restrictions, we were able to resume our regular monthly meetings
in October 2022. Unfortunately, our usual venue is, apparently, still
not available but we have managed to find an alternative venue,
which is ideally suited to our needs. After hearing of our plight,
Banbridge Angling Club very kindly offered us their premises, at 2a,
Kiln Lane, Havelock Park, Banbridge, BT32 4PD.
Sadly, our membership has greatly decreased, with some members
no longer with us and others no longer well enough to attend
meetings. Members are encouraged to bring friends along with
them and we have asked Cherrytrees Resource to inform local
visually-impaired people about our Club.
In November 2022 we held our Annual Dinner in the Whistledown
Hotel, Warrenpoint, an event which was well attended and enjoyed
by all. We were joined by family and friends, including Banbridge
Talking Newspaper volunteers, who have always worked closely with
us and supported us financially.
In December 2022, members voted to change the time of our
monthly Club Meetings from evenings to afternoons, commencing
on 4th January 2023, 2pm- 4pm. This has proved to be a popular
decision and attendance at meetings has increased.
For the third year in a row we have not been able to carry out any
fund-raising activities, and we greatly appreciate all donations which
we received during the year. These included gifts from Josh Magill
(Banbridge Academy Fundraiser), Paul Evans, Evo's Legends { in

memory of John Willis), Banbridge Angling Club, Ann Lyons and
Herbie Barrfs Bowling Club. We are also indebted to the Macan
Trust, who have grant-aided us for many years, most recently in
March 2023, with a donation of £800.
Thanks to all these generous donations, we are able continue to offer
our members a varied programme of speakers and outings, with a
Quiz and Bingo in January & February and dinner in the Belmont in
March, to celebrate St Patrick's day.
Our accounts of the 2022/2023 year were prepared by SM Vint & Co,
Banbridge. We started the year with a cash balance of £21,747
and our balance at the end of the financial year was £25,607.
Signed: ...........
Sammy Wilson, Chairman
Signed: ..............
.Doreen Brown (Mrs)