‘SOUND AROUND ARDS’ AGM CHAIRMANS REPORT
During the year Alison met with and provided a presentation on the charities work to Ballysallagh WI (Craigantlet) and Portaferry WI. Much work continued on the Publicity front with Alison making a number of contributions to local newspapers and most recently a very prominent article in the Belfast Telegraph, which was requested by the Telegraph as a follow up to the Spirit of NI award.
DONATIONS
There were a number of donations in the past year with Ballysallagh WI making a contribution following Alisons talk. A donation was also received from the Millisle Wellbeing Community Group. Whilst these donations came from organisations we received an extremely generous private donation. Anne and Tom each celebrated their 90[th] birthdays, long standing members of this charity, from those celebrations £500 was raised by Anne and Tom and donated to this charity. This donation will be Shown in next year’s accounts. Thank you both that was so generous.
On Sunday the 1[st] February Libby and I attended a Service at Belfast Cathedral, a service that is entirely for the distribution of donations to many community groups province wide, all of which provide a voluntary service to their local communities. In this respect ‘Sound Around Ards’ received £1,000, which was presented by the Deputy First Minister.
AWARDS
On the 19[th] June last year we were invited to the Spirit of NI Awards Gala Night at the Culloden Hotel. We were represented on the night by Libby and Joan and one of our long term listeners Christine Wilson. As you all know we won the ‘Community Hero’ category and was presented with a memorable engraved cut glass trophy. Thank you Libby, Joan and Christine for your representation and many photographs and publicity to remind us of that special night. It was followed by a whole team photograph outside of Ards Town Hall some of which included Paddington.
MAYORS VISIT
On the 9[th] April we had the pleasure of the Thursday night recording being made in the presence of the Mayor Gillian McCollum. The mayor was recorded being interviewed by Rosemarie Montgomery who also initiated the involvement of the mayor. A wonderful picture and article appeared in the Chronicle the following week.
AOB
I am sorry to say that one of our newest readers Peter Wright is unable to continue due to family reasons. Nevertheless, we welcome Jane Brookfield, Heather Marshall and a former reader Ann Mullin.
I would like to take this opportunity to appeal for an additional Technician, it doesn’t necessarily have to come from within our readers but would ask that if an opportunity arises where you might come across someone who might be a suitable candidate friend, relative, acquaintance and that opportunity arises through conversation you may never know what may come out of a chance conversation.
CONCLUSION
Again this year we have remained strong in providing such a service thanks always for the dedication of all our volunteers, as chairman I am eternally grateful, and talking about dedication and hard work I personally thank Alison, all of us in the charity know and appreciate Alisons hard work including having the foresight to make applications, for example ‘The Spirit of NI Awards’ and the ‘Black Santa Appeal’ both of which we we are very proud of. Thank you very much Alison.