It was a busy weekend. The weekend started with the setup of the Marching Stars Exhibition on Thursday 21st October. The event was officially opened and 3 health and well-being programmes launched
and the new bus was opened and dedicated.
Invited guests included the Lord Lieutenant of Tyrone Mr Robert Scott, the first minister Paul Givan, t
he Archbishop of Armagh John McDowell and the CEO of Church Army Rev. Peter Rouch.
The chair of Mid Ulster Council Mr Paul McLean, the Chair of Omagh And Fermanagh Council Errol Thompson,
as well as MLAs Mr Keith Buchanan and Mr Doug Beattie and local councillors, the PSNI,
band members and the Sinnamon family.
Rev. Peter Rouch opened the event with prayer, the 3 well-being programmes were introduced by Mr William Bradshaw, (Armagh Bands Forum), Mr David Swann (Blair Memorial FB) and Mr David Clarke (West Tyrone Bands Forum).
The Lord Lieutenant, the first minister and the Archbishop spoke, the cake was cut by the first minister. The exhibition was officially opened by the Lord Lieutenant before everyone moved outside for the official opening of the bus by the Lord Lieutenant and dedication by the Archbishop with a closing prayer by Rev Henry Blair rector of Tullanisken Parish Church.
The opening was comperred by Sr. Valerie Thom who also presented thank you tokens to the platform party.
Everyone was then treated to refreshments. Thanks to Emily Crozier and her staff for their hard work.
Marching Stars Exhibition took place from the 22nd to 24th October 2021 in Tullanisken Parish Hall, thank you to the Select Vestry of the church for allowing us the use of the hall.
The exhibition showed the history of the following bands Magheraglass Flute Band, Mulnagore Accordion, Dunamoney Flute band, Sgt White Memorial F.B. , Pomeroy True Blues F.B, Blackhill FB, Bloomhill Accordion, Newmills Silver, Enagh Accordion, David Cuddy Memorial, Newtownstewart Red Hand Defenders, Benburb Pipe Band, Ballymoughan Purple Guards, Ballymacall True Blues, Drumnaglough Flute, Ardarragh Accordion, Aughnagurgan Accordion.
There were also two artists who exhibited their work, Kerri Steele and Jenny Steele, Kerri is a member of Vow Accordion and Jenny is a member of Omagh Protestant Boy Flute.
Their work was inspiring; each band received thank you rosettes which were donated by Roberta’s Rosettes, and a thank you certificate.
A big thank you also Mina McCall, Joanne Wilkinson, and Gladys Cardwell who provided cake and buns for the weekend.
Also thanks are due to Joanne Burnside, James Johnston and Gemma Boyd who manned the exhibition during the weekend. Also thank you to our committee members Rev. William Anderson and Mr Hans Johnston for all their help, which included welcoming and thanking the bands who came to entertain the visitors to the exhibition.
Those bands were Derryfubble Accordion, Ardarragh Accordion, Mulnagore Accordion, John Hunter Accordion and Pride of the Birches Accordion band. The music provided by the bands was greatly appreciated by those who attended.
The donations received at the event were divided between IA, SAMS and NI Air Ambulance.
IA is a support group for people who have been fitted with stoma bags etc. in Northern Ireland.
SAMS Is a mission agency who works in South America and this money will be going to the work in Brazil which band members have visited as part of the teams Valerie Lead to there.
Air Ambulance as we all know is a very much needed in rural area of Northern Ireland and does a fantastic lifesaving job.
There is also a small donation being made to Roberta’s Wish.
The evented ended with Sr. Valerie presenting thank you tokens to the volunteers who helped during the weekend and Rev. William Anderson closed the event with prayer.
If you are a member of a band and want to find out more please contact Valerie on
07736644051or 02887749920 or email zacchaeusproject@btinternet.com
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