Garvagh Clydesdale and Vintage Vehicle Club raise £6,500 for local charities

Club Chairman, Robert Murray welcomed a sizeable gathering to the British Legion Hall including Mayor of Coleraine, a Garvagh man, councillor Sam Cole.

Jack Clyde, a founder member of the Club passed away at the end of September. He was a keen club member attending when he could and indeed he was at the Garvagh Show in early September. He will be sadly missed.

The Chairman reported on a busy year, noting events including the table quiz, the ploughing match, which attracted entrants from across the Province, a bus trip to visit two collectors and the flagship event the Garvagh Show itself.

The premier event in the club calendar as always had its unrivalled show of Clydesdales, also cars, tractors and machinery. The club even had a tank in the parade of the town after the show! The arena events held a crowd all day and included line dancers, a pet show and tractor building.

The main business of the evening was the distribution of funds to selected charities.

As has become customary the three local Health Centres (Garvagh, Kilrea and Aghadowey) received donations from club members, Gerald Stewart and Michelle McQuillan. Dr John Kerr and Dr Paul McCormick suitably replied outlining how funds could be used and conveyed thanks from the clinics.

Parkinsons UK was presented by Eithne Waterson, MBE who was presented with a donation from Jim McAllister.

Gemma Ralston from Headway NI received a donation from Club Secretary Raymond Boyce.

Pavestone Centre Manager, Rhoda Baxter was presented with a donation by Mrs Anne Workman.

Michelle Carolan from Clic Sargent was given a donation by Club member Dai Linton.

The final donation was made to TBF Thompson Ministries, an organisation which has been a sterling supporter of all Club activities over a long period. Mr Ronnie McKee accepted this donation from Nevin Smith.

Each recipient outlined briefly the type of work their organisation was involved in and all conveyed their thanks.

In all, a total of £6,500 was handed over. The chairman thanked the friends, supporters and sponsors and stressed that it was only due to their support that the Club was in a position to make such donations.

The Mayor then spoke briefly before tea was served. With everyone suitably refreshed, Gerald Stewart assumed the duty of compere, introducing the entertainment for the evening.

Acts included George Murphy and his tin whistlers, Irish dancers, the Village Shamblers (a folk group) and retired Dr John Kerr who sang his usual repertoire and premiered his latest song, a composition he penned himself entitled The Garvagh Show.

Clydesdale and Vintage Vehicle Club meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 8pm in the Garvagh British Legion Hall.

New members always welcome.