Garryduff Flute Band - Trustees’ Report 01/04/19 – 31/03/20
The past year has been an active one for the band, with a variety of activities being organised to maintain its public benefit obligations to the local community.
Musical Tuition and Performances
The band continues to provide free musical tuition classes to people from the local community. This has developed the musical ability of both existing band members and those who were attending the classes for the first time. We performed at a variety of open-air events, competitions, concerts and charity events to allow members to showcase their talent and provide members of the public an opportunity to appreciate the musical genre of a marching band.
Department of Communities Grant
Once again, we were successful in obtaining a Department of Communities Small Capital Grant. We came together with other local community groups, including a cultural education group and a senior citizens group. We demonstrated how our groups currently co-operate with each other. As a result, we were able to obtain a range of catering items, tables, chairs and new radiators split between the groups. This equipment will allow us to improve the facilities that our activities take place in, make them more welcoming and increase community participation.
CPR Training Classes
As a follow on to having purchased a defibrillator for our local community, we held CPR training courses with training given by a member of NI Ambulance Service. There was a good response to this program with participants coming from our own group, local primary school teachers and leaders from the local Presbyterian Church.
Fundraising & Social Events
We also held several successful fundraising events during the year. This included a free community supper night with some Ulster-Scots musical entertainment after Christmas as well as quiz nights, educational and entertainment film shows and other games nights. A free Christmas party for local children was held for the first time with a local DJ and Christmas movie as entertainment. These activities allow people to support us financially, with some events proving to be very popular social events that bring the whole community together.
Covid-19 Community Support
With restrictions being introduced towards the end of our reporting year, the group anticipate that some of our usual activities would be different for the remainder of 2020. Many of our programs would possibly have to move to an online platform. We also began to look at ways of how we could provide support to people in our local area, particularly as we receive a lot of local support and wish to give something back in difficult times ahead. Ideas for possible future programs would be based around the themes of combating isolation and supporting local healthcare providers.
Ian Kennedy
Chairman of Trustees 5[th] April 2020