Shedders’ September Newsletter

Hi Shedders

September has come and is almost gone..

Our Friday coffee mornings grow more popular by the week. Attendances are now averaging 20 or so and include a steady influx of new Shedders and a return of former ones. We continue to recruit new Shedders and are particularly interested in those who have NO connection with Belvedere or the Rugby Club. The challenge is for each existing Shedder to bring along ONE potential shedder in the next year.

Hope you are up to it!

Work continues on the grounds in Ollie Campbell Park(“OCP”) and new challenges continue to emerge. We’re busy planting winter bulbs along the hedges and looking at other areas which need attention. if anyone has a line to a mural artist it would be a great help. We’re putting together a window box or two for outside the Club so woodworkers always welcome! Fresh thinking and willing hands are always needed.

We were delighted to have a Friday visit from one of our US based Shedders, Kevin Connellan,( Class of 63)  who talked to us about his journey from Great Denmark Street to becoming a trader in the NYSE  Stock market and  the Chicago Exchange. He gave us a most interesting insight into how the USA offered great opportunities to those who left Ireland  in the 60’s with little more than a formal education , common sense and a willingness to work hard (and bounce back). His time working alongside Mike Milliken , the originator of “Junk Bonds”  who ended up in federal prison and now advises the great and the mighty was especially interersting.  “Success  has many fathers but failure is an orphan” comes to mind.

We went to Athlone for a day trip in mid September using our free train passes! We were delighted to have our two young KIWI players with us as our guests, Jayden Beckitt (Centre) and Kayle Thatcher (no 8) are very nice young men and a credit to their families. Look out for them in OCP over the next year and give them a friendly cheer when they cross your path.

We visited the Castle in Athlone  and heard of its Anglo Norman origins. It was built fro King John of England in 1210 and much survives to this day. Unfortunately the engineering ingenuity of these great builders defied Westmeath Co Council who managed to put an unsigned  doorstop  in middle of the gate out resulting in a Shedder falling and suffering a broken rib and chipped elbow. He is back on his feet now but strapped and sore with a long 6/8 week recovery programme ahead.

After a bite to eat we travelled on Viking Mike’s barge down the Shannon to visit the monastic ruins of Clonmacnoise. Dating from  540 AD , they offered great insight into the early Saints and their heroic work and travels as they preached the Christian message to those they encountered. Home again after along day but glad to say it all  ‘ticked another box’ in the activities list.

In Rugby we start the AIL proper on Oct 1st with a home match v St Mary’s. The pre match lunch is booking out fast. Please let Niall know on the Shed Whats App site if you want him to put your spoon in the pot. Its €35 pp and a new chef is onboard to tickle your palate!

David Murray has kickstarted our Archive project and we are currently setting up interviews with a number of our ‘golden ‘ oldies! Volunteers more than welcome.

Around the corner in October we have a trip in the works to visit the Joyce museum in Sandyford . lunch in the National Yacht Club (if they’ll have us) and for those with a nautical bent an afternoon tour of the DunLaoire Maritime museum is an optional extra.

We will continue our Friday’s coffee morning speaker every now and again. Finally  we are about ready for our first AGM on the last Friday of October  when everyone will have a chance to air their views and we’ll table the Constitution and the Accounts for your approval.

Meantime our Treasurer , John O Leary, will  be sending out requests for payment of your annual 2022/23 sub of €100. Most of our revenue goes on expenditure on the grounds ; vouchers for speakers and the cost of our Friday morning “refreshments”. We are of the view that a reasonable sum will be required for the archive project but more details will be provided when we have clear line of sight on the end product required.

That ‘s all for now . in terms of our Sept /Oct newsletter. other Shed communications will reach you via our Whats App “Official” site. If you are not receiving these or our newsletter please let Niall or Richard Staveley know.

Also we are now trying to put our newsletter up on the Men’s Shed section of the OBRFC website..so keep an eye on it to make sure you are not missing anything.

Keep well

OBRFC Men’s Shed Committee