Strawberry Fair AGM

The mood of the annual general meeting of the County Wexford Strawberry Fair was upbeat on Tuesday night last at the Riverside Park Hotel as the outgoing committee reviewed a very successful golden anniversary.

Outgoing chairman Cyril Wheelock in his address had special praise for the Enniscorthy Street Rhythms committee under chairperson Bernie Morrissey and the Strawberry Roots committee under chairman Eamonn Doyle saying that they all rowed in together to produce a festival worthy of the 50th anniversary, and he very much hoped that the partnership would continue well into the future.

Town Manager Liz Hore gave a comprehensive secretary’s report, detailing all aspects of the festival and was congratulated for her excellent work and for the terrific support received from Enniscorthy & District Council.

Treasurer Colin Levingstone detailed income and expenditure of the 2016 festival, leaving a small surplus with all bills paid.

Tributes were paid to Jimmy Gahan for his excellent PR coverage, aided by yours truly and Roisin Williams. Jimmy was also praised for his tremendous contribution to this year’s pub talent competition, assisted by 2016 Queen Rebecca O’Connor.

The committee congratulated Richie Cotter and the Roots committee on an impressive weekend of gigs around the town and the Street Rhythms committee on a fantastic and diverse range of street performances and array of children’s entertainment, culminating in the massive success of Willy Wonka and the Golden Ticket at Enniscorthy Castle.

Outgoing Queen Rebecca O’Connor along with Andrew O’Brien were thanked for their contribution throughout the festival and their wonderful work on the glitz and glam fundraiser at Riverside Park Hotel and Nadia Donohoe for her work on the sold out Enniscorthy event of the summer - The Golden Strawberry Ball.

South East Radio, Enniscorthy Guardian and the Enniscorthy Echo were thanked for their exceptional coverage of the festival and Wexford Ambassador Ann Doyle got a very special mention for the marvellous job she did opening the festival and interviewing former Queens on stage at Market Square.

Megan O’Shea was congratulated as the 2017 Strawberry Queen and the following were elected as officers for the 2018 festival: chair, Jimmy Gahan; vice chair, Cyril Wheelock; secretary, Roisin Williams; asst secretary, Liz Hore; treasurer, Colin Levingstone; PRO, Jimmy Gahan; and asst PRO, Maria Nolan.