Dear Members,

Our EASTER EXHIBITION this year, kindly opened by the Honourable Noel Cringle, President of Tynwald and his wife, Mary, was a great success. Mr Cringle was a late substitute for Deemster Kerruish, who unfortunately was indisposed.

Comments relating to the new venue at the Villa Marine Colonnade, both complementary and otherwise, have been received although the complementary comments greatly outnumbered the adverse comments. The venue was rated a success with all of our screens accommodated and the exhibits were displayed without the need of additional easels and wall hanging. The support from the management was excellent.

It is recognised that lessons can be learnt from this year’s exhibition and we can only improve in the years to come.

The profit from the Exhibition this year was greatly improved over last year’s figures. Admissions were some 12% up on last year.

The raffle was once again very well supported and I would like to thank Nancy Corkish for kindly donating her painting of Gansey Bay.

I would especially like to give extra thanks to all the members and their families that helped out with the admissions and sales during the exhibition. Can I encourage all other members to sign up next year as it is a great help and a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.

Unfortunately Zurich has indicated that the company is ceasing forthwith to sponsor the Easter Exhibition. The committee will now be looking to find a replacement sponsor. If anyone has any ideas regarding this please let any member of the Committee know.

Due to low attendance in the last few years, this year’s SUMMER PAINTING WEEK will not take place.

The installation of a new DIGITAL, CEILING MOUNTED PROJECTOR, screen and associated hardware has now been completed. This equipment will make it much easier to hold presentations and painting demonstrations, etc. in Thie Ellyn.

The installation of an IMPROVED SOUND SYSTEM has been completed. I hope that all members will take advantage of using this system which consists of a new Harmon Kardon amplifier, a Harmon Kardon DVD player and a 5.1 surround sound speaker system. This installation of this system completes the sound and vision improvements to the Societies premises.

Members will have noticed that a NEW WALL has been built on the front patio. This is to ensure that no vehicles can now bump up on to the patio causing more damage to the paving slabs.

A list of MONDAY AFTERNOON VENUES has been placed in the clubroom at Thie Ellyn. Members should ring Margaret Oates on 676119 if you need any information. If the weather is dreadful the session will be held in the hall.

An exhibition of paintings is to be held at MYLCHREEST MOTORS later in the year – more details will follow but in the meantime get your paintings ready!

I will be aiming to issue as many of the AUGUST NEWSLETTERS as possible by email to save on production and postage costs. If you would like to received the newsletter by email, and have not already provided your email address, please let Stuart Houghton know (9 Ashlar Drive, Union Mills, IM4 4LJ shou@manx.net).

Kind regards,

Jackie Kelly (Hon Sec) Tel: 407402 / 824817