John brought out the moral dilemma facing us – do we pour resources into the energy rich developed world to maintain the style we have come to expect or do we leave something to help feed the developing countries?

As well as looking at the global context of the problem he showed the impact of the problem to our local economy. The agriculture based economy, particularly our animal based agriculture, is a significant contributor to green house gases. In addition it is a net user of energy compared with return. John pointed out that the industry needs to find ways to counteract these issues that are suitable to our situation in order for our industry to survive and it is hoped prosper.

It was an evening of enlightenment, not only to the scale of the problem but John also highlighted some success stories from around the world, show how when forced to some areas have been able to make significant changes that suit societies needs but that give hope for the future. One of the key messages was that everyone is going to have to accept some degree of change for the security of future generations.

Joe outlined the key role of teachers in identifying those with special educational needs. He made the point that not all children / young people who are difficult or have difficulties at school have special educational needs. There can be a range of other reasons for the problems.

The Educational Psychology Service does not work in isolation as often those with special educational needs have other problems as well. This takes cooperation with other Board Agencies as well as with Agencies out with the Education and Library Board. Examples of other Board Agencies includes:-

• Challenging behaviour Service;
• Education Welfare;
• Literacy Teaching and Support Service; and
• Behaviour Support Service.

Other non Board agencies and services include:-

• Social Services;
• Child Psychiatry;
• Paediatric Services;
• Speech and Language therapy;
• Physiotherapy; and
• Occupational therapy.

Joe went on to expand on how there are difficulties with diagnosing certain conditions and how this is becoming more difficult due to increasing pressure for labelling. Bizarrely this pressure often comes from parents and appears to be driven by the benefit system since certain conditions attract certain allowances.

Time constraints prevented further exploration of likely background causes to the conditions which result in special educational needs. However club members came away enlightened about the complexities of dealing with these needs in society.

As well as enjoying a glass of mulled wine of fruit punch on arrival, a lovely Christmas dinner was served by the ladies from Iris’s Kitchen. There were plenty of empty plates and very little room for mince pies by the end!

This year members were asked to bring in a present that would be suitable to give to any woman who found herself in the unfortunate position of spending Christmas in a Women’s Aid refuge. The gifts were split between the Coleraine and Ballymena refuges.

All those attending took home a little jar of home made chutney, just the thing with a nice bit of cheese or for those cold cuts on Boxing Day.

After last years disappointing three entrants this year we had nine competitors from four schools – Ballycastle High School, Ballymoney High School, Cross and Passion and Dalriada. Elizabeth McFetridge is our Club public speaking coordinator and did an excellent job in ensuring the evening ran smoothly.

The standard of competition was very high, all of the girls demonstrating high quality research, analysis and composing skills as well as remarkable presentation skills. The girls chose to speak on quite a range of the topics from the available list. These included:

v     respect for life;

v     fantastic plastic;

v     safe environment, safe future;

v     words whisper, actions shout; and

v     political correctness, have we gone too far?

As well as enjoying a range of subjects it was interesting to hear the different treatment given to the same topic by different speakers.

The adjudicators were Frances McCollum (member), Beverly Simpson and Georgina Blair. All agreed they had a difficult task on their hands.

First place went to Jessica Morrison from Dalriada. The Club wishes Jessica every success in the Northern Ireland final to be held February 2009 in Dungannon.

We would also like to thank:

• St. Patrick Parish Church for the use for the facilities;
• The Girl Guides for assistance with serving, clearing and dish washing; and
• Sarah’s Shoes for facilitating the shoe show.

By all accounts a good night was had by all including our Club members for whom this truly is a night of service! Particular mention must be made of:

• The Social Committee, convened by Lily Swinson;
• Shoe models Alison Algeo and Pamela Smyth;
• Flower arrangers Elizabeth Atcheson, Pat Wright and Fiona Murdock; and
• All other members of SI Ballymoney & District for begging, borrowing or otherwise obtaining all the bits and pieces required for the evening -  the posies, the salads, the sale of tickets, setting up the hall, – oh and not forgetting……. the puddings!!!

 All money raised goes to support worthy causes. The two main beneficiaries this year were Patch Work and NI Chest, Heart and Stroke.

Patch Work is a non-profit making organisation supporting individuals who have been devastated by circumstantial change, providing emotional and practical support. They have a team of be-frienders, mentors and outreach visitors. They provide a drop in centre, a place for a coffee and a chat or as a place to chill and relax. 58 Project is a mechanism to resource needs in a crisis. Patch Work also offers life skills programmes and arts and crafts. This is a relatively new charity working in the north east of the province.

The aim of NI Chest, Heart and Stroke is to promote the prevention of and alleviate the suffering resulting from chest heart & stroke related illnesses. Some stroke statistics:

• Every year in N. Ireland around 4,000 people suffer a stroke - that’s one person every five minutes.
• Stroke is the third biggest killer and the leading cause of severe disability in Northern Ireland.
• At least 40 per cent of strokes are preventable
• More than three times as many women die from stroke than breast cancer in the UK.

As you can see both are very worthy causes.

In addition to these the Club also gave to:

• Project Sierra;
• The Ross McMaster Trust;
• Cheers Youth Group;
• Women’s Aid; and
• Sight savers.

The evening started with a drinks reception and the chance to see the chambers in the Parliament Building. Guests were then seated in the Great Hall for the performance. The artists were Gavin Ring (baritone), Raphaela Mangan (mezzo-soprano) and Mairead Buicke (soprano). They were accompanied by Deborah Kelleher who also provided the audience with helpful and amusing insights into background and context of each of the pieces performed. There were 17 arias performed before an emphatically demanded encore! Following the performance guests had the oportunity to enjoy supper in the Long Gallery together with the artisits. 

It was a wonderful evening and congratulations go to SI Bangor for putting the event together.

All attending were spell-bound as Tebereh recounted how she had come to idntify the need for and subsequentkly establish, grow and maintain the Mums for Mums project.  While out walking as part of her rehabilitation after a stroke, Tebereh noticed a growing number of young women with babies or small children forced to beg on the street for money to survive. Rather than ignoring these young women she made it her business to find out how they came to be in these circumstances then set about establishing a means of getting them off the streets. By working to get these women into training and education Tebereh launced Mums for Mums. It is so named because it is about looking out for these young mums as a mum would. 

Despite no financial support  from statutory bodies Mums for Mums has grown over the years and has become a valuable asset in Mekelle with many young women and families benefiting from their experience of it. 

The most recent project is the building of a day care centre for the elderly, known as Kate’s Day Care Centre, after Kate Doherty, SI Enniskillen member who brought the Mums for Mums project to the attention of SI in Northern Ireland. SI Ballymoney & District have given money towards a washroom in the centre in memory of the late Maureen Lavery, founder member of our Club. 

Phoenix Cycling Club has set up a project to restore old bikes and send them out to Africa through existing charities. They are taking old bikes, parts of bikes, wheels etc from volunteers and/or council dumps. Members of the club help to service and repair the donated bikes before packing into containers for dispatch to Africa. The bikes will go to schools, orphanages, aid workers and aid projects via existing registered charities.

The first batch is going in a few weeks through a consignment from a church charity in Newtownards. A number of other charities will be involved in the future.

Phoenix is collecting old bikes and parts of bikes. They will also collect old bikes and bike parts left at council dumps. These will be cannibalised to restore other bikes to working condition.

Anyone with a bike or bikes that they no longer want and they think might be of use to this project should contact club president who will gather up bikes form the Ballymoney area and arrange for collection by the Pheonix Cycle Club.

The first 19 ‘Ballymony’ bikes went at the end of June.

A buffet supper, provided by the Club Executive, was served in the Millenium Centre together with pudding of strawberries and cream. Everyone had the chance to enjoy the company of friends and discuss all the holiday plans! The event, venue and meal all recieved many compliments.