Deepawali Celebration !!

BMA is celebrating Deepawali at The Alderman George Green Community Centre, 1 Rathgill Parade, Bangor, BT19 4JH on the 6th November 2010, Saturday at 6.00pm. It is an exclusive programme for the Bangor Malayalee Association members, their families and friends.


The celebration is envisaged as a short community interaction programmes and games mainly of very informal nature followed by Dinner, Music and Dance. If you would like to sing, dance or present an item of interest, please contact Varkey Abraham (Mob: 07737706739), Antony Thomas (Lalichan Mob. 07533636056) or Mathew Johannan (Mob: 07737426185) as early as possible. The programme may extend up to 09.30 pm.

We also invite volunteers interested in testing their culinary skills as well.

Varkey Abraham
Chairperson.

New Office Bearers

An exciting 2009-10! May be because we were all eternal optimists! Spare a thought - 2009-10 was indeed eventful compared to previous years!  We celebrated Onam, Deepawali, Christmas.  We were invited to a visit to Bangor Police Station; couple of our children meritoriously passed out in the ‘Dealing with Difference’ project run by the Down and Castleregah PSNI.  We had a Cultural Integration day with Kilcoly Pensioners’ Forum and had organised Saree Demonstration in February.  Our organisation became affiliated to UUKMA!  Our Childrens’ group, run for few months was a fairly successful programme, till everyone tired out.  Barring the summer months, our Badminton Club was a roaring success. We also had our opportunity to empathise by private Fund-Raisers when disaster struck Sachin Jolly (Whiteabbey), Sreekanth (Londonderry) and Martin Joseph (Belfast). 

On the other hand some of our key players have since left us on account of higher studies or migration, their presence is still immensely felt and are hard to replace! While some of our members were forthcoming with ideas and plans to better our association, only few had had the time to spare. For most our association remains an alien entity.

Fortunate that we are in a new era now! A new committee having a positive outlook took over in the recently held Annual General Meeting. Of course, the outgoing committee members had all contributed their maximum in making our previous year memorable and momentous. And I thank the erstwhile office bearers on behalf of all members of BMA. That their efforts were not negated is amply attested by the appreciation shown by North Down Borough Council. We stand commented by the Council on three counts: (1) Raising more than one third of our annual expenses from amongst our own members and well wishers. (2) Brilliant event management skills exhibited by our members prior to and during the events, and (3) staging the best community programme amongst all ethnic communities programmes in the North Down & Ards Council area – our Onam 2009 was adjudged the best!!. Your efforts deserve all the Kudos and the new Committee salute all of you!!!

Here is the list of new office bearers.

1. Chairperson………….…... Varkey Abraham
2. Secretary. ……………….. Joseph Lookka (Sojan)
3. Treasurer. ……………….. Aji K. Joseph
4. Committee Member………Antony Thomas (Lalichan)
5. Committee Member………Job Joseph (Raju)
6. Committee Member………Joby George
7. Committee Member………Matthew Johannan

Opportunities are aplenty to join hands and make your presence felt. Share your opinion – negative or positive, or ideas however trivial it might sound, may we can implement some of your ideas in this year. We need your support and well wishes to make the forthcoming year equally eventful! Without you, nothing can happen!


Varkey Abraham
Chairperson.

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Childrens Club

We are happy to thank our members and the Council staff for the successful running of our Family Days / Childrens Clubs. There will be clubs on the 6th and 20th March, Saturdays at Alderman George Green Community Centre. All children must be accompanied by their parents for the duration of the session.

Christmas and New year Celebrations

BMA is celebrating Christmas and New year at Alderman George Green Community Centre on the 2nd January 2010, Saturday at 3.00pm. It is an exclusive programme for the Bangor Malayalee Association members, their families and friends. Councillors of North Down Borough Council and PSNI Community Support Officers have kindly agreed to support and attend the programme.

The celebration is envisaged as a short community interaction programmes and games mainly of very informal nature followed by Dinner, Music and Dance. If you would like to sing, dance or present an item of interest, please contact Varkey Abraham (Mob: 07737706739) or Jolly Joseph (Mob: 07805066676) as early as possible. The programme may extend up to 09.00 pm.

Children's Club

Hi all,

We are pround to announce creation of a Children's Club for the benefit of Nursery and Primary School children of Bangor Malayalee Association members.

This Club would start its operation on Saturday the 7th of November. This would run on every saturday till June 2010, barring Christmas holidays.

The venue : The Alderman George Green Community Centre, 1 Rathgill Parade, Bangor

Time : Between 1400 and 1600 Hours

Day ; Every Saturday

The North Down Borough Council has organised two trained personnel to 'man' our kids during this time. While 3-4 volunteers from the community will supplement the arrangement, the parents are requested to be available at the venue during this time.

Your cooperation will make this programme beneficial for the whole community.

Regards

Varkey Abraham

Deepawali

Hi friends,

We were fortunate enough to celebrate Deepawali on Saturday 17th October itself. The turnout was surprisingly good that we had to reorder the food.

I thank all those who organised and participated in this event and who those who did show their solidarity.

Thanks again.

Varkey Abraham

Onam 09

Contgratulations!!

Little out of date - yet better late than never!

You all deserve a big round of applause for making Onam 2009 a wonderful celebration for Bangor Malayalee Association.

I would like to thank our Mayor Councillor Tony Hill, Alderman Brian Wilson, Councillor Anne Wilson, Councillor Dr Stephen Farry besides our friends and colleagues from other community who graced our function.

Most of our members had put in considerable effort in making this event a memorable one and I must thank each and everyone. It was such a selfless effort and I know that I would only embarass them if I start naming them; As such I am shying away from it. Nevertheless it is worth noting that their efforts are well appreciated and I hope to see repeat runs in future.

A word of thanks is also due for the Borough Council, especially the Good Relations Council, who has time and again been our refuge as far as funding is concerned. The guidance and effort of the team led by the Linda is also appreciated.

Asian Flavours, Sanu and other Indian stores did pitch in with monetary sponsorships. Members of our Managing Committee were quick to rise to the occasion to defray the excess cost.

Also lot of thanks to all of our members and their friends, especially for being a well behaved audience.

Thanks again.

Varkey Abraham