Shedders’ December Newsletter

Hi Shedders

Our final newsletter of 2022 is set out below

for your consideration .

We breezed through the third anniversary of the founding of the Shed a month or two ago, without any fuss . We must be doing something right because our Friday coffee mornings average over 20 and our tours and trips 20/30 . We’ll keep reaching out to recruit new Shedders and encourage everyone to come up with suggestions on events, speakers and worthwhile activities. . We’re especially anxious to attract those formervBelvederians or friends in the the 60/70 range to reduce our average overall age somewhat!!

We now have over 50 “active” members and another 10/15 who live overseas or are sporadic in their attendance.

Overseas isn’t just a category of former Belvederians on our mailing list. Three times in the last few months we had excellent presentations from Kevin Connellan (retired Stock Market Trader, Chicago); Michael Brennan MD ( retired endocrinologist Mayo Clinic,Rochester ) and Peter O’Connor ( former Deputy Editor of Brisbane’s leading newspaper) . Thanks guys. You exemplify one of our core values I.e. that of “giving back” .

Each Friday we continue to dispense tea or coffee and put the arm on someone’s shoulder to “ chat” to us about their life , their memories and their interests. Many thanks to those who responded so willingly. ( Too many to mention ). Time and again they prove that everyone has a story to tell. Always interesting. Often numerous. And sometimes eye opening!!

We had a talk recently , kindly arranged by Belvo man Andy Kinsella, from Jenny Courtney , CEO of the Belvedere Youth Club Jenny impressed us greatly with her fervour and enthusiasm . She told us she comes from Ballyfrrmot and was a single mother at 18 with minimum educational background , surrounded by poverty and living in a drug ridden neighborhood. She got her act together , found a job ; went back to school, then graduated from College and is now doing a Masters degree in Social Studies. She is a grandmother and a wholly energetic , professional and business like leader of the Youth Club. Phew !! She really impressed us with the way in which she has “ given back” to the Amiens Street and environs.

In November we had hoped to visit the Masonic Orders three storey HQ in Molesworth Street but postponed that because they had a fire and their lift is out of commission.!!

Then plans to attend a lunchtime concert in the Concert Hall faltered when we reviewed the type of concerts in the programme for Nov/ Dec. Too high brow!!

We supported the recent presentation dinner by the Rugby Club for a long time member ( has anybody held in such a distinguished way so many different roles in Old Belvedere RFC ??) and Shedder , Alan Bradley and we also organized tables at all the home and away Belvo matches.

And so to December.

Subs are now due . € 100 is the amount . Cheap at the price!! Payable in cash , by cheque or bank transfer to Hon. Treasurer,John O. ‘Leary 35 of the 60 odd on our books have paid palready so don’t be last.

A word of reminder that our library continues under David Murray’s watchful eye. Bring a book, borrow a book. It’s very informal and works on an honour system basis .

On October 25 of us visited the Joyce Museum in Sandycove. We had a most interesting guided tour following which our organizer Richsrd Staveley presented the “ lunchtime bell” which was used to summon those in the yard in Belvedere to Benediction .Apparently “it disappeared” mysteriously back in 1963 and only re-emerged during our Shed visit . The bell was referred to by Joyce in his “ Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man ” so it was an appropriate addition to the many curios and artifacts in the museum. Afterwards we adjourned for an excellent lunch in the nearby National Yacht Club and to complete a full day we had an afternoon tour of the Maritime Museum in Dun Laoghaire. Thanks Richard for organizing a splendid day.

Our first AgM is scheduled for Friday 9 th Dec. at 11.00 am in OCP ( O’Reilly room). All are welcome, especially visitors . No long speeches and a minimum of formality. It will take place as part of and not instead of our usual Friday get together.

Our annual Christmas lunch , catered for by Philip and Bhawna under Tony Doran’s eagle eye , will be held on the same day in the Bar upstairs at 1.00pm for 1,30 pm. It’s a very casual affair. Laughter, banter and meeting old friends and new is the order of the day. Again friends and visitors are all welcome ….remembering we are a Men’s She’d.!! Cost is €40 pp payable on the day to whoever your table “ host “ is. That includes the meal , a tip and a modest glass or two of vino .

We’ll continue our Friday meetings up to snd including Dec 16th , then take a break until Jan 6th when we’ll reconvene . A day trip to Cork by train is on the cards for January.

In the meantime from all of your Shed Committee , a peaceful, contented and very happy Christmas and continued good health in 2023 .

The OBRFC Committee

—

Richard Staveley

+353 87 2545110