CD LAUNCH AS AUTUMN LEAVES CELEBRATE SECOND BIRTHDAY
DROMORE'S celebrated Autumn Leaves Social Club is marking its second birthday with, among other things, the launch of a new CD.
Aimed at raising operating funds for the club, the CD features two songs whose messages members feel Northern Ireland people would do well to take on board.
Annette Hanna, who often sings at club events, recorded the two-track CD at the studio of Mr. Derek Mawhinney and it is on sale now from any member of the Autumn Leaves.
Established by well-known local publican Mrs. Helen McFadden and based at The Ranch in Princes Street, the Autumn Leaves club found fame when its women dared to bare for a charity calendar inspired by the 'Calendar Girls' of the Rylstone Women's Institute, so raising 3,500 for Newry Hospice.
There followed a string of charity fundraising initiatives, including a diary featuring the club's male contingent and the sale of re-usable shopping bags, telephone pads and key-rings, all bearing the club's logo; beneficiaries have included Gillian McFadden's Doghouse Sanctuary in Banbridge (360) and Knock Eden Fold (560).
"It has been a huge success and we have many memorable things under our belt," said Mrs. McFadden, who launched the club two years ago as a haven for locals who might otherwise be "sitting in the house staring at the four walls".
She added, "It's about getting them out to meet other people and have fun; we like to say 'come along and meet a friend or come along a make a friend'."
Members have enjoyed a pre-Christmas shopping trip to Enniskillen, a visit to the Oul Lammas Fair and occasional outings to St. Mary's Hall in Newcastle, there joining a party of visitors with Down's Syndrome who attend the regular dancing there.
"We go up occasionally to join them for their special occasions and celebrations," said Mrs. McFadden. "We went up at Christmas and took our own Santa along and we brought wee gifts for them."
In celebration mood, members gathered at The Ranch on Saturday for a birthday supper, with special guest Councillor Elizabeth Ingram, chairman of Banbridge District Council, and music by who other than Annette Hanna, on hand for the launch of the CD.
Said Mrs. McFadden, "Annette was singing for us at the club one day and (Councillor) Norah Beare and myself were struck by how beautiful the song was.
"It's called 'Love can build a Bridge' and it's a lovely song; we think if the people of Northern Ireland would listen to the words and take them on board, adapt them to their lives, it would be a better place to live in."
Annette agreed to record the song, along with a second track, 'Try a little Kindess'; officially launched on Saturday by Mrs. Ingram, the resulting CD costs 5, proceeds to Autumn Leaves club funds.
Meanwhile, celebrations continue tomorrow (Wednesday) when 33 club members will be taking up an invitation from Lord Mayor of Belfast, Naomi Long, to morning coffee and a tour of City Hall. The invitation came by way of local engineer Neil Reid, who attended university with the Lord Mayor and whose overseas aid trips with Habitiat for Humanity have won the support of the Autumn Leaves.
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Weather for Dromore
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
