GORDONSMITH7
02-01-2013, 12:34 AM
On behalf of the Committee I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year.
This New Year, as always, we will stay committed to keeping St Patrick’s Branch (the home and birth place of Hibernian Football Club), as the Supporters’ Voice and link to the Club.
As you know it’s the time of year for re-affiliation and membership renewals, I would therefore encourage you to use the web site membership page where you can use the dropdown box to pick your renewal choice from, Full renewal, out of town renewal or juvenile renewal, and pay by any card or via Pay Pal. If cash payment is preferred we always have a Committee member present in the Hibs club after each home game
I would also take this opportunity to reflect on just a few of the items the Branch achieved in 2012 and some items to look forward to in 2013.
· Our flag first purchased via a loan by an anonymous benefactor was paid for in January 2012, and as you know has been on show at every home game (and some away games) since. There has been some great feedback from members and non-members, proud to see the flag and encouraging the continued display.
· In March we held our first St Patrick’s Night celebration in the Hibs club, this was a joint venture with St Paul’s Branch, and again was well received by all who attended. I would encourage all our members to look out for this year’s St Patrick’s night celebration, already booked for Saturday 16th March it promises to be the Mammy of all St Patricks night’s with a special live entertainment guest.
· In March we had our first Race night. This was a joint venture with the Dnipro kids charity, after we were approached by the charity organisers to assist in a specific fundraiser. A successful night helped the charity achieve its task as well as raise money for our own funds.
· Early in May we introduced our new merchandise, our Branch Polo shirts complete with badge, a must have for the Gent or Lady about town, these are still available for order via the web site. Who knows maybe next year they will be seen in Europe!
· Over the summer we reached our highest paying membership numbers, boasting 96 member in all, not bad for a young Branch, we have members from 7 hours old to 77 years old!
· In August, we answered the Kick for Kids Appeal and purchased season tickets for ‘The Canongate Youth Project’, perhaps Canon Hannon himself would be smiling as St Patrick’s Branch, some 137 years after the birth of the club, was still providing for the working class kids within the parish.
· Also in August we approached the Club Board asking them to look favourably on season tickets for those fans that were currently unemployed, a true St Patrick’s Branch request, but unfortunately not upheld by the Board, we will keep plodding!
· Early September we introduced another must have item to our merchandise, our lapel Branch Badges, yes these are also still available from the web site!
· In September following discussions at our Branch meeting we made contact with the Archdioceses and Church trustees asking if we could present a Commemorative Plaque to St Patrick’s Parish, to be located within St Patrick's Church, it seemed that the birth place had never had any official plaque, something that has to be put right. The most recent update is that initial authorisation has been granted, and we hope to bring some news on this early next year. Now that would be a proud day for any Branch member.
· In November we had our second race night, this time the funding would go towards the Plaque and again a successful night seen us with the funding sorted!
· Also in November another worthwhile Branch donation went to section 43, section 43 are the young team who keep the Easter Rd faithful singing, win, loose or draw. Again in keeping with St Patrick’s branch ethos, a positive signal to the younger element, and perhaps encouraging good Hibs songs!
· In December, thanks to the great generosity of one of our members we supplied another two half season tickets to the Kick for Kids appeal benefactors again ‘The Canongate Youth Project’ who sent a very grateful letter of thanks, well done our man!
So here’s to 2013 where we hope to continue with our historic values that were the founding beliefs when St Patrick’s gave birth to the best football team in the whole world, Glory Glory to the Hi-Bees.
Best Regards
Dougie
Douglas McLeod
Chair
St Patrick's Branch
stpats.hibernian@virginmedia.com
Text messages only : 07707650125
http://www.hiberniansaintpatricks.co.uk
GGTTH
This New Year, as always, we will stay committed to keeping St Patrick’s Branch (the home and birth place of Hibernian Football Club), as the Supporters’ Voice and link to the Club.
As you know it’s the time of year for re-affiliation and membership renewals, I would therefore encourage you to use the web site membership page where you can use the dropdown box to pick your renewal choice from, Full renewal, out of town renewal or juvenile renewal, and pay by any card or via Pay Pal. If cash payment is preferred we always have a Committee member present in the Hibs club after each home game
I would also take this opportunity to reflect on just a few of the items the Branch achieved in 2012 and some items to look forward to in 2013.
· Our flag first purchased via a loan by an anonymous benefactor was paid for in January 2012, and as you know has been on show at every home game (and some away games) since. There has been some great feedback from members and non-members, proud to see the flag and encouraging the continued display.
· In March we held our first St Patrick’s Night celebration in the Hibs club, this was a joint venture with St Paul’s Branch, and again was well received by all who attended. I would encourage all our members to look out for this year’s St Patrick’s night celebration, already booked for Saturday 16th March it promises to be the Mammy of all St Patricks night’s with a special live entertainment guest.
· In March we had our first Race night. This was a joint venture with the Dnipro kids charity, after we were approached by the charity organisers to assist in a specific fundraiser. A successful night helped the charity achieve its task as well as raise money for our own funds.
· Early in May we introduced our new merchandise, our Branch Polo shirts complete with badge, a must have for the Gent or Lady about town, these are still available for order via the web site. Who knows maybe next year they will be seen in Europe!
· Over the summer we reached our highest paying membership numbers, boasting 96 member in all, not bad for a young Branch, we have members from 7 hours old to 77 years old!
· In August, we answered the Kick for Kids Appeal and purchased season tickets for ‘The Canongate Youth Project’, perhaps Canon Hannon himself would be smiling as St Patrick’s Branch, some 137 years after the birth of the club, was still providing for the working class kids within the parish.
· Also in August we approached the Club Board asking them to look favourably on season tickets for those fans that were currently unemployed, a true St Patrick’s Branch request, but unfortunately not upheld by the Board, we will keep plodding!
· Early September we introduced another must have item to our merchandise, our lapel Branch Badges, yes these are also still available from the web site!
· In September following discussions at our Branch meeting we made contact with the Archdioceses and Church trustees asking if we could present a Commemorative Plaque to St Patrick’s Parish, to be located within St Patrick's Church, it seemed that the birth place had never had any official plaque, something that has to be put right. The most recent update is that initial authorisation has been granted, and we hope to bring some news on this early next year. Now that would be a proud day for any Branch member.
· In November we had our second race night, this time the funding would go towards the Plaque and again a successful night seen us with the funding sorted!
· Also in November another worthwhile Branch donation went to section 43, section 43 are the young team who keep the Easter Rd faithful singing, win, loose or draw. Again in keeping with St Patrick’s branch ethos, a positive signal to the younger element, and perhaps encouraging good Hibs songs!
· In December, thanks to the great generosity of one of our members we supplied another two half season tickets to the Kick for Kids appeal benefactors again ‘The Canongate Youth Project’ who sent a very grateful letter of thanks, well done our man!
So here’s to 2013 where we hope to continue with our historic values that were the founding beliefs when St Patrick’s gave birth to the best football team in the whole world, Glory Glory to the Hi-Bees.
Best Regards
Dougie
Douglas McLeod
Chair
St Patrick's Branch
stpats.hibernian@virginmedia.com
Text messages only : 07707650125
http://www.hiberniansaintpatricks.co.uk
GGTTH