TRUSTEE REPORT. Period April 2022 to March 2023
About the Chari
St Bernards, Thursday Club was set up to provide a venue and opportunity for senior citizens from
the area to come together socially to form friendships. The overall aim is to allow people aged 50
years and over from all communities within Northern Ireland to come together, no matter what
their religion, background. The Club will provide facilities for the education, recreation and leisure
time occupation for its members who by reason of social or economic circumstances, have need of
such facilities.
How the Chari
is funded
The Club is funded be members subscriptions of £3.00 per week. A grant of £2,000 has been
gratefully received for this year from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. We then had a
Christmas grant of £500. There is also a Bonus Ball Scheme wherein members can pay £1.00 per
week for a National Lottery Bonus Ball number. The holder of the Bonus Ball number drawn on
each Saturday night wins £25.00 and the remainder of the money paid that week goes to club
funds. If any large items are donated they are balloted among the members. When needed
members also pay a nominal amount towards Bus Runs and Christmas Dinner.
How the mone
ent overthe
ear. Our income consisted of the money paid by the
members each week and two grants from our Council. We also received a grant of £850.00 from
the Black Santa which we were very appreciate of._We had two parties in the Hall the first was St
Patrick,s Day and the second was the Queen's Platinum Jubilee which we had catered by Hard
Hats Catering Company both of which were very much enjoyed by all. Over the year We held a
bring and buy sale with the proceeds going to Ukraine appeal. At Easter we had an Easter Bonnet
parade with the best dressed getting prizes. We had two visits to the Cinema during the year with
lunch afterwards in the Bellevue Arms. We arranged a condurted tour of St Anne's Cathedral
which was enjoyed by those who attended. We had some very enjoyable talks at the club from
Matthew Warwick on Ulster Scots and the history of Drums and Bagpipes to Keiran McLarnon on
Climate Change. Stephen Kelly came to record childhood memories for which the members were
invited to view in Antrim. Our Summer Bus Run was to Newcastle with morning coffee in the
Mulberry Tree and then dinner later in the Burrendale Hotel. Our Christmas Dinner was held at
Barnabrfs Restaurant.
wass
Administrative InformatioD
The Club is based in St Bernard's Church Hall Antrim Road Glengormley.
Miss Margaret Magee
Chairperson, Mrs Hazel Caldwell Secretary• Mrs Olive Fitzgerald Treasurer and the following,
Committee members: Mrs Bridle Mcstravick, Mrs Eileen Vincent, Mrs Mary Bannon.
Activities undertaken and the furtherance of the Charities
ur
oses
The club provided a variety of artivities over the year such as: Line Dancing which gives exercise
for those frt and artive. Boccia which is very popular with the members and can be played sitting
down which our less able members can enjoy. We play a game of Bingo each week and some
quizzes occasionally which give mental stimulation and a lot of good natured rivalry .
We try to get speakers who inform and educate and are enjoyable to hear.