Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann

Lichfield Branch

Minutes of meeting, 14. 1 04.

Present. Mike Lancaster, Alan Richardson, Martin Thompson, Mike Kinghan, Chris' and Helen Jordan.

Apologies received from Ian and Mo' Bradshaw and Andy Poole.

1. Members present signed a Get Well card to be sent to Tony Downey, our previous chairman, who had recently been taken seriously ill. Everyone expressed their concern and hope that he would make a complete and speedy recovery.

2. Minutes of meeting held 12.11.03, these were read and accepted as a true record, proposed by Alan, seconded by Martin.

3. Matters arising from minutes of previous meeting, 12.11.03.

An amended copy of the accounts for 2003 would be requested from Mo' following adjustments allowing for the payment of £50 from Lichfield Bower committee.

Congratulations were offered for the success of the set dance workshop and ceili at the end of November last year. The event had been well organised, well attended, and people had enjoyed themselves. Financially it had only been moderately successful, having raised £178 for branch funds, partly due to the unexpected cost of £40 for the bar. In other respects however members felt it was very worthwhile, being a good PR exercise with the set dance fraternity and Holy Cross church. For the ceili band it had been hard work but very good experience. Thanks was offered again to Mike and Julia Kinghan for making their home available as a 'rest venue' for the band between the workshop and the ceili. John Holian, the tutor at the workshop, had been very complimentary about the band and the way they played for the dancing as regards speed etc, likening them to good bands in Ireland. He had offered his services should we organise a similar event in the future, although he had repeated his point that workshops are usually better attended when held on a Sunday. When combined with a ceili however Saturday was obviously a better option. Mike L reported that further to this band members had again been asked to play for a set dance workshop lead by John at the next Lichfield Folk festival in June. This event last year had lead to the idea of the workshop and ceili.

Martin reported that our website had been fully updated in conjunction with Liz' Keyes and indeed it compared very favourably with the websites of some other branches in this country. There was an up to date session calendar and photos from recent events such as the set dance workshop and ceili. More pictures would be added once these had been received from Ian. Minutes from meetings were now on the website and copies of the newsletters. Martin requested a list of current officers and the minutes of the last AGM so these could be added.

Martin showed the members present copies of the branch flyer which was now complete. This was very attractive and informative. Everyone complimented Martin on all his hard work in producing the flyer which he said he would now have printed in a greater quantity for distribution and advertising.

Mike K reported that the members of the C band had still not managed to fix a time to meet Vince Jordan about forming a Grupai Cheol to compete at this year's fleadhs. However they were pressing on and had decided on a theme of East Clare tunes. A selection had been chosen and were being learnt and practiced.

Mike L reported that he had asked Kelvin Moreton about the cost of producing a set of display boards for the branch. This would be around £20 for materials. He agreed to liase with Kel' about having these made. Martin agreed to contact Brian Pretty about using the boards at suitable LDAA events, such as the forthcoming Lunasa concert at the Garrick theatre in April. Mike L expressed a note of caution as regards what we would put on these display boards, stressing that we could not at present offer, for instance, regular tuition by branch members. Alan suggested that the information would basically be the same as on the branch flyer and was mainly a means of stating our existence.

Martin had looked into some prices for purchasing or hiring P.A. equipment. As this would be a major financial item, as well as having implications of storage, maintenance and transport, members felt it should be discussed at the planned ' general ' meeting, ( see below ).

Mike L reported that, as requested at the last meeting, he had recently sent a letter to Labhras O Murchu about the cost of the annual insurance premium, including our suggestion that it might be made proportionate to the size of each branch. However he had not as yet received a reply.

4. Mike L reported that Paul Keyes had looked into the possibility of sponsorship by Kerry Foods of the All Britain Fleadh but the response was likely to be negative as the factory in Burton is merely a production site and has no separate remit for sponsorship. The Fleadh would in any case be too small an event to attract much interest from a large company like Kerry Foods. Mike K also mentioned that it was now too late to get a grant this year from Lichfield District Council, who in any case might not consider sponsorship of an event outside the area. We could, however, apply for a grant next year for our branch. Mike L. said that each branch in the Midland region was expected to make a donation towards the costs of the Fleadh and a figure of around £500 had been suggested. Alan proposed a donation from us of £300 which was proportionate to our available funds. This was seconded by Mike K and agreed by the members present. In addition we would attempt to raise further funds through sponsorship, raffles, etc. Mike L agreed to make enquiries with Kieran Mullins in Derby. He also asked which members would be prepared to offer help at the Fleadh as a list from each branch had been requested at the next regional meeting. Of those members present Mike K, Alan and Mike L said they could work on the Saturday of the Fleadh. Mike L said he would also ask other branch members who were not present. The next Midland regional meeting was due to take place on Sunday 25th January and Alan and Mike L agreed to attend.

5. Mike L agreed to make contact with Noel Sweeney of Chasetown Civil Engineering to enquire about the use of a low-loader for the Birmingham St. Patrick's Day Parade. This would probably take place on Sunday 14th March.

6. Under AOB Mike L asked if the ' general ' meeting planned for Monday 2nd February prior to the session might be deferred as this might be the first chance for a while for the Ceili band to have a practice using the stable. Members agreed to this and the meeting was rescheduled for Monday 1st March, at which the main item for discussion might well be the St. Patrick's Parade.

7. Mike K asked if many members still needed to re-join and Mike reported that there were a few. Members present agreed to remind the people in question when they saw them.

8. Mike L referred to some correspondance received, such as the Provincial AGM which was due to take place on the last weekend in January. No Lichfield members expressed the intention to attend. Mike L also mentioned the SCT music qualifications which we had been notified about and said that any enquiries about this should be directed to Vince Jordan. He also referred to correspondance received about ' Meithal ', a new summer school to be held in Ennis this Summer. He had further information if members were interested.

9. Some concern had been expressed about members' e-mail addresses being made known via messages sent to our e-mail group. This was discussed and members felt that as the group was small and we all knew each other it was not really a problem, although Mike K said he would look into how the addresses could be hidden if some members wanted that. For the time being however we would carry on as before.

10. Date of next meeting. Monday 1st March, prior to the session at the H&J, time to be advertised.

The meeting closed at 9.30pm.