When Southend-on-Sea became Irish... (for one night at least)!
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| A packed hall |
We came together to celebrate Saint Patricks Day albeit a day late to accommodate a weekend, and to put on a evening to bring some cheer to the local area during this season of Lent.
First off the cuff, we had Father Jeff behind the bar serving drinks. Father Jeff serving the drinks! We told him to leave it alone but he is like the Duracell bunny who doesn't stop working even when he is not meant to be. And who are we to argue with our Chaplain?
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| Lots of dancing |
What an evening we had. Bruno and Audrey took charge having set about decorating the hall the night before and making sure their idea was the best it could be. The couple had sold over seventy tickets between them.
We had Irish Stew on the stove, we had potatoes in the oven, we had Guinness at the bar, we had an Irish sing song with John Puddick and we had the McGowan Lee Irish dancers entertain us most wonderfully.
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| John Puddick whipping the crowd into shape |
There was couples dancing too and to cap it all we did amazingly well with the raffle.
Over 140 parishioners from across the five different parishes in the area supported the evening and with financial assistance with the bar from some very nice people we were able to offer drinks complimentary; naturally we ran out of alcohol before the evening finished!
Above: a short video of the McGowan Lee Irish dancers performing
We raised over £1300 for our causes throughout the evening with the money to go to the parish of Saint Peter, Eastwood; where we held the function, for Missio of whom we are supporting nationally, for the Diocesan fund for the training of new priests, to help our own operating costs and for Nazareth House, Westcliff-on-Sea. It does help however, to have a few of our members of Irish heritage to add a bit of flavour and personal touches to the evening.
A big thank you to all who supported and helped with this event of ours.
