## **The City Chapter** ## **Trustees’ Report for 2022** The City Chapter registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland as Charity No. 103329 on 14 August 2015. Since registration, the City Chapter has continued to convene regular meetings of the Trustees and has planned and delivered several events in support of its aims and state public benefit. The City Chapter was established for the promotion of the arts and the advancement of education for the benefit of the public within the City of Armagh area. The direct benefits which flow from the work of the City Chapter are: The increase in opportunities to explore culture and identity; Increased education and skills for participants; Reduction in social isolation; Improved levels of self-confidence and self-esteem; Improved community life through involvement in enriching arts events. The benefit is demonstrated through the City Chapter’s annual programme of events to promote the spoken and written word, details of which are outlined below and which are delivered through the collaboration of all four libraries in Armagh, through their membership of the City Chapter and their joint efforts to promote the spoken and written word. All of these events were provided free of charge and in local people’s home area. Two main events were delivered by the City Chapter during 2022 and were held in person once more, following the impact of COVID. As is always the case, the four libraries in Armagh share the hosting of City Chapter events and in 2022, The Cardinal O’Fiaich Library and Archive and Armagh Robinson Library took on these roles. Due to lack of funding, the City Chapter was not in a position to participate in the 2022 Festival of St Patrick in Armagh. Normally the City Chapter provides events for schools as part of the Armagh festival. ## **World Book Day** The City Chapter welcomed storyteller, Marianne McShane to celebrate World Book Day on Thursday 3 March 2022 in the Cardinal Ó Fiaich Library and Archive. This was the first inperson event organised by the City Chapter since COVID. Speaking ahead of World Book Day, Marianne said, “Long before stories were ever written down, they were told around hearths, and they were told to adults, the words of the storyteller seeping into the imaginations of all who sat listening, so that each one present watched the story unfold in their own minds. I am very pleased to have this opportunity to share stories with adults by joining the City Chapter for World Book Day this year.” Roddy Hegarty, representative of the Ó Fiaich Library on the City Chapter and host for this event said, “World Book Day is the biggest celebration of its kind, with its aims to celebrate authors, books, illustrators and, of course, reading. The aim of our partnership is to promote the spoken and the written word and to do this as much for adults as for children.” Seated front left was the host for this City Chapter event, Roddy Hegarty. Seated third from the left was the guest speaker, Marianne McShane. Representatives from all four libraries which make up the City Chapter were also present, along with some audience members. ## **National Poetry Day** The City Chapter, in association with the John Hewitt Society, held a poetry reading on the evening of National Poetry Day with Armagh poets Mel McMahon and Gráinne Tobin. Held on Thursday 6 October 2022 in Armagh Robinson Library, the evening of poetry reading encouraged adults to go along to listen to poetry reading. Featured in the photograph were standing from left Patricia Morris and Tony Kennedy, respectively Director and Chairperson for the John Hewitt Society, Catherine Gartland for the Cultural Heritage Service Library, Carol Conlin for Armagh Robinson Library, Cathy Donnelly and Patricia Curran for Armagh City Library. Seated were the poets Mel McMahon and Gráinne Tobin. Part of the audience awaiting the poetry reading for National Poetry Day. The Trustees of the City Chapter have met virtually to plan events for the coming year. Images courtesy of Ian Maginess