I received this award, in appreciation of my work in the Irish Community. It was from, The Council of Irish Associations, presented to me on 14th March 2008

A message from Tom McGoff (Chairman & Honourary Secretary)

Since last time I wrote a section for our web site, a lot has been happening at the English Martyrs Parish Centre. Therefore, I thought I’d take this opportunity to update you.

We now have a new bar management team in the guise of Mr & Mrs Dave Grennan. Our previous steward John Kilmartin & his wife Sarah retired in early February 2007. John was our longest serving steward having served the club (and great many pints!) for the past 15 years. Like John, Dave has taken on the role from being a member of our management committee.

I cannot believe that Dave and Sharon have been steward and stewardess for over a year, where has the time gone? Dave Grennan is “thirty something” and originates from Tubba. Co. Offaly. Of course, in John, Dave had a hard act to follow. However, Dave has wasted no time in throwing himself into the role and already we are beginning to see the results of his hard work.
An outside “Smoking Zone” has been built in response to the Smoking Ban. This was a real team effort – it was great to see some our committee members  all lending their time and skills to the constriction of the shelter.

The Parish centre has had to react to a number of issues concerning noise nuisance when live bands or DJ’s are performing in the club. Specifically to reduce the noise impact on our environment and neighbours, we have invested quite a bit of time and resource into the building structure of the club.
An example of this work was to remove a number of front facing windows and installing sound insulation around the stage area.

It’s true to say that the rebuilding work did present a number of challenges. Not only did we have to tolerate the inconvenience of partitioning off certain sections of the club, but also we had to cancel all live entrainment during this period.

True to form though, we have weathered this particular storm and I am proud to say that the club is once again in full swing.

With the New Year ahead of us, we hope to invest in a brand new air conditioning units for the club.
The Irish Associations continue to give us excellent support. County Association dances as well as Province dances have been catered for throughout the year. We are again proud to boast that we have hosted a record number of charity/benefits dances. Funds have been raised for worthy causes such as Christie Cancer hospital, Rainbow Family Trust, Irish Community Care, British Diabetic Foundation.

We know that some associations are not holding as many dances as before, but both myself and the committee of the parish centre, would like to thank you for your all year round support and patronage.
With the new year just around the corner we look forward to working with all our friends in the associations, taking part on the Manchester Irish Festival and the St Patrick’s Day Parade.

The Parish centre has done well over the past twelve months from its Private Parties, christening and presentation evenings. We had an Arabic night with twelve Belly Dances which went down well. Also, a night to raise funds to start a project in Alexandra Park (which is just down the road from us) We continue to have our Irish Dancing (Tuesday and Saturday afternoons) Line Dancing on Wednesdays with some of their nights sets aside to raise funds for various charities . Every Thursday night is the very popular Bingo night with Sunday night being set aside for the 25 Card Drive.

As we draw to the close of 2008, the committee and I would like to sincerely thank everybody who has visited us – some from overseas. America, Canada and Australia to name but a few.
I cannot forget of course all our regulars, who always contribute the friendly atmosphere which prevails through the English Martyrs.

This brings me to a number of important, personal points. Firstly, may I say big thank-you to everyone who sent cards and visited me whilst I was in Hope Hospital. I was over whelmed to say the least. Thank you, one and all.

Secondly, I’d like to thank the Council of Irish Associations for awarding me a trophy in recognition of my work within the Irish Community in Manchester. I was totally over whelmed and could never have predicted that I should have been honoured in such a way. I never had a clue until Anne Bohan started talking about Bishop Bilsborrow primary school. I knew something was going to happen because I did not recon that anybody  present, would have attended that particular school
As I walked up to collect my trophy, I heard Anne announce that my wife, Maureen, could not attend due to illness. It was the first time she had missed a council of counties function.
As happy as I was to receive the award, I dearly wished that Maureen could have been there.

Finally, as many of you will know, Maureen passed away on Wednesday 21st May 2008. I cannot express in words the feelings on that Wednesday evening when Maureen coffin was brought into church. The large crowd, a guard of honour, what support this gave to myself and the family. It was amazing. Then, the day of the funeral, to see the same size crowd again, this made me feel so proud that so many people took time and effort for Maureen to attend her funeral.

A number of weeks after the funeral, a charity dance was held in order to raise money  so as Maureen and I could travel to Lourdes. Alas, this wasn’t possible.
I am proud to announce on behalf if the organisers of the dance, the magnificent sum of £6727.00 was raised.
Could I once gain, say huge thank you to the English Martyrs Committee, everyone who donated prizes, ticket sellers and each and every one of you who supported the event.

I have been overwhelmed with peoples kindness and support. When you read about all the bad things going on in this world, this proves that there is a lot of good in the world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

May you a happy, holy and safe Christmas and that every one of you be granted a happy and prosperous 2009.

Best wishes,              

Tom McGoff
Chairman, English Martyrs Parish Committee