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News - 2009 Events Archive

This section reviews the events that have taken place during the course of this year. (Details of future events can be found in the 'Calendar Of Events' section on the left.)

28th March - Charity Event

The Foundation are pleased to have supported Hope House Hospice, Wrexham Care Association and the British Association of Social Workers at a charity event held at Wrexham RAFA Club on Saturday 28th March 2009. A great time was had by all with cheese and wine, raffle and entertainment from X Factor contestant Claire Kay.

£70 was raised for Hope House with another £70 going to Wrexham Care Association.

For further information follow these links:

http://www.eveningleader.co.uk/news/X-Factor-star-at-Wrexham39s.5105781.jp

http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/03/27/111136/basw-charity-event-celebrates-social-work-in-wales.html



Certificate of presentation of funds raised to Hope House Hospice.




Letter of thanks from Wrexham Care Association and presentation of money raised.

Well done to everybody who attended and supported the event!

18th June: Social Care Accolades Awards

Keith Drury, Founder and current chair of the Foundation travelled to City Hall, Cardiff on 18th June where was invited to attend the Social Care Accolades Awards.

He announced the winner of the category "Being A Learning Organisation".

Keith has recently been appointed as Chair of the British Association of Social Workers in Wales and took part in a British Association of Social Workers 'All Wales' tour which started in Cardiff the 3 June 2009.

Keith spoke to a number of Assembly Ministers at Cardiff's Welsh Assembly buildings, Social Workers, Director of Care Council for Wales and many others about how honoured he is to be the new BASW Chair for Wales, professing to be a proud social worker and doing all he can to represent the views and concerns of Social Workers across Wales. BASW's membership in Wales currently stands at just over 700, one third of the Social Work population in Wales. We wish Keith every success in his role.

27th June: Barbecue

The Foundation held its barbecue at Alyn Waters Country Park, near Wrexham on the afternoon of Saturday 27th June.

As well as members of the Foundation we were very pleased to be joined by three people who had travelled all the way from Caernarfon!

The weather was very nice and a good time was had by all.

Well done to everybody for organising the event and thanks to those who attended!

	Keith,
	...Gary...
	...and Mark.

27th July: Coffee Club

The Coffee Club & Drop-in held once a month at Ty AVOW, Wrexham continues to grow.

We were very pleased to be visited by the First Access Team from Wrexham Council Social Services Department to give a talk about Mental Health services in the Wrexham area. Members responded by asking questions and sharing their experiences of issues that affect them. Individual members conveyed positive comments about the services provided and the support that they had been given.

The team also acknowledged the value of the Drop-in meetings as a way for people to come together and support each other.

The Chair of the Foundation will be meeting with members of First Access to explore the possibility of developing and delivering courses to provide the skills necessary to help deal with mental health issues more effectively.

Thanks to everyone who attended and long may it continue!



The next meeting will be Monday 17th August, 6.00pm - 9.00pm.

9th August - Telford Pride

Members of the Foundation travelled to Telford on Sunday 9th August to attend the town's first ever Pride event at The Three Furnaces pub, Tweedale.

We arrived there in good time for the opening ceremony, performed by Anthony Cotton (a.k.a. Sean Tully from 'Coronation Street'). Members also received signed photographs and had their photos take with him in the VIP area! (see below).

The weather was perfect, the atmosphere was vibrant with a range of stalls and various acts peforming on stage.



A very big THANK YOU to everybody who attended and made the day enjoyable!!

18 - 20 September - Camping Trip

Members of the Foundation joined forces with members of the North Wales Gay Outdoor Club for a fun packed weekend in Bala on the weekend of the 18th to the 20th September.

We arrived at our venue, Cwmtylo Farm around 7.30 to 8.00 and (only just!) managed to get the tents up (with a little help) before darkness fell.

Whilst there was option for sleeping in the guest house, Foundation members braved the weather to camp outside (it was a CAMPING weekend after all!).

On the first evening we were treated to a barbecue by the B&B's owner Dylan, who put on a terrific spread.

	Clive, of the North Wales GOC with Dylan, owner of Cwmtylo Guest House
Jayme and Mike, also of the GOC

On the Saturday the whole gang spent the day in Bala. First we took a walk around town before having tea in a cafe on the main street. After that we moved on to the Treweryn White Water Rafting Centre. We weren't really prepared for any activities there (!) but we enjoyed a lovely walk alongside the river in some very nice weather.

	Keith with Jayme Mountford
Keith and Andy
	Gary, climbing up trees...
Keith
	Dylan, Keith and Andy on the Quad Bike.

On the Saturday evening we really let our hair down with a karaoke party back at the house.


More photos of the event can be found the North Wales GOC Facebook page.

We can't thank Dylan enough for the hospitality he provided us with. Our thanks also go to the North Wales GOC for joining us in what was a thoroughly enjoyable event for the Foundation and a nice way to round off the summer.

We would like to say we would love to do it all again next year. Thank you everybody!

12th December - Xmas Party at Rafters

The year was rounded off with our Christmas Party, held this year at Rafters, Holt Lodge, our usual meeting place for the monthly Dining Club.

Members throughly enjoyed themselves, tucking into a tasty (and very reasonably priced) Christmas carvery.

The meal was followed by some very interesting musical entertainment from Mr Keeff, accompanied by Katie Howell on keyboards, along with some original acoustic offerings from her partner James.

	Joy & Susan.
Mr. Keeff, with James
Above: Mr Keeff in performance with Katie (right)
Left to right: James, Joy, Susan and Andy.

As always we throughly enjoyed ourselves. Our thanks to the crew at Holt Lodge for allowing us to hold this event and all the other Dining Clubs throughout the year. Long may it continue!!