Vintage Club present charity cheques at party

ON Saturday night, I headed for Knockbridge Community Hall where the Knockbridge Vintage Club were hosting their Senior Citizens Christmas Party. This is the 10th anniversary of the club and the night was kicked off by the presentation of cheques to 20 different local charities, the culmination of their work through the year.

I was only in the door when I met up with Frank McGeeney from Grange who told me not to forget to give a special mention for the Knockbridge Youth Choir who were singing carols throughout the night.

Frank told me his dad was a bit on the busy side because he is the Vintage Club’s chairperson and was going round making sure the night was running smoothly.

I first met up with Eimear King from Knockbridge who was doing the door with her mum Helen and they assured me it was going to be a really great night.

After this I got taking to Shirley Bellew from Knockbridge who told me her daughters Emily, Jenna and Libby who were all singing with the choir. She was chatting to Susie Fagan from Louth Village who had Bryan also singing with the choir.

I then headed over for a chat with J&C Catering boss James Watters from Mullaghboy who was busy making sure that everyone was fed, but took time out to congratulate the Vintage Club on their great work throughout the year.

I then met Philip Byrne from the club who was lucky enough to be accompanying Santa around who told me the Knockbridge Vintage Club had done trojan work doing the year and he was delighted to take time out from his busiest period to appear at the Christmas party, and wanted to wish them all the best for next year.

After this I headed over for a chat with club secretary Richard Malone from Nicholas Avenue who was with his mum Alice Malone from Cavan and mother-in-law Marian Dollard from O’Hanlon Park who were sitting with Malachy Wynne from Grange who were having a really great laugh together.

Not too far away I then got talking to Lily Markey from O’Hanlon Park who told me it was going to be a brilliant night and no mistake.

Seated close by were Hugh and Margaret McGahon from Walterstown who told me that this wasn’t the first of the Christmas parties ‘just one of them’!

Not too far away I then met up with Gerry and Mary King from Ashville who assured me they’d be dancing afterwards, Heather and Herbie Christmas from Rathcor and Dermot McKeown from Lisheen Park who tried to be that it was going to be a quiet night, I somehow doubted that.

After this I headed over for a chat with Sean Hughes from Cooley, Brendan Duffy from Ballykelly and John Pepper from Lordship who told me they had started to celebrate Christmas the previous Thursday night and were going to continue on from there.

After this I headed over for a chat with Mary Carraher from Dublin Road who was there with Niall and Shane along with her sister Geraldine and Eugene Deane from Rossmakea. The ladies told me that Niall and Shane would be performing on the stage later on and were looking forward to an excellent night.

Seated close by were Mary Kirk, Roma Daly and Mary Hamill all from Knockbridge who were enjoying the meal and the fun on the night, although Mary, no harm to you but being a ciotóg really isn’t the sign of the devil!

Making my way over to another group I then caught up with Eugene and Noel Hand from Corduff who told me they were guests of the club because they show their horses at their show every year and were delighted to be there.

Next I got a word with Veronica and Terry McMahon from Palmersland, Mary and James Conroy from Carrickmullen, Eamonn McEnteggart from Castlering, Brendan and Bernie Sweeney from Grange, Colm and Terese Smyth from Newtown who were all there to support the Vintage Club and assured me it was a really good night.

I headed over for a quick word with Fr Gerry Campbell PP who told me that he has only been in Knockbridge for less than three months but loves it, the people are so friendly and they gave him a lovely welcome to the parish. Fr. Gerry was sitting with Noel and Mary McEnteggart from Barronstown.

Finally, before I departed I then got talking to Gerry and Mary Marmion from Kilcurry and Pat Quigley from Kilkerley who are all involved in the club and were really up for enjoying the party.