Chairman’s report: Trustees of the Society.
I would first like to express my admiration and thanks for the work done by all the members of the existing committee. These tasks, purely voluntary and often at some personal inconvenience and expense, are carried out in a spirit of co-operation, ultimately resulting in the social meetings which are so enjoyable. Similar thanks are due to Ronnie and Edna Maxwell for their great work in producing the Jarvey. In this regard, Ronnie has been asked to donate copies to the Linenhall Library. After our previous AGM on 22[nd] February 2022 it was decided that the Society should, if possible, keep to lunchtime meetings. The lunch on 4[th] May was a great success and attracted 40 people who enjoyed the food (thanks to Pauline) and entertainment. The next two events took place during the week of Monday 20[th] June:
(1) A trip to Roscommon on 21[st] to 24[th] June by 14 people to meet with representatives of the Roscommon and Galway PF Societies. This was hugely successful and the committee expressed their gratitude to Lila Jackson for organising the trip.
(2) A concert for the benefit of those affected by the war in Ukraine took place in St Comgall’s Church hall on Friday 24[th] June. This was an outstanding success due to the efforts of Ronnie Maxwell and his team of helpers. The artists were Father Martin O’Hagan, Lynda-Jane Nelson, the Lindsay Chorale and Brian Johnston as MC. The final amount raised was £2500.
A subsequent event was a lunch on 15[th] September at which the donation of £2500 was presented to Mrs Iryna Johnston, a native of Mariupol in Ukraine. Afterwards, Iryna and Jonathan Johnston gave a wonderful entertainment on flute and piano. 20[th] October 2022 –lunch at Helen’s Bay G Club. The intended artist, Crawford Bell, was unable to attend and Brian Johnston and two friends entertained with their accordions, much to the pleasure of the audience.
Other matters
A small amendment has been made to the Society’s website updating the status of the restored Jarvey magazines.
The Percy French Society have been asked by The Trinity College Dublin (Northern Ireland) Society to help mark the centenary year of TCDNI in word and song, The date is next May at Malone Golf Club.
“Tones That Are Tender”, the book by Berrie O’Neill has been updated and reprinted as 'Centenary Edition' as part of our original programme of events for 2020 to mark the centenary of Percy French's death in January 1920. It is in paperback and less expensive and a number will be available from the Society shortly. Circulation of the book is a major way of advancing our Society's objective of promoting Percy French.
The Xmas lunch will be on 13[th] December at 12.00 for 12.30. Entertainment by Father Martin O’Hagan and possibly Father Eugene O’Hagan.