prosaic –
we’ve
all been a bit frantic, and suddenly it’s nearly Christmas!!!
First
of
all,
if you're looking for the Fundraising website, it's no longer
here. Gerry is now a Director of 26-01
and of Mind Sports World
For now, this site is for family information only.
To
contact
us,
mailto : gerry@beldons.co.uk
December
2009
Dear
one
and
all,
Beldons
are
not
“doing”
Christmas
cards
this
year.
I’d like to say that this is for some high-minded reason, like
saving
the environment or saving money, but the truth is rather moreprosaic –
we’ve
all been a bit frantic, and suddenly it’s nearly Christmas!!!
Part
of
the
challenge
has
been
Annemarie’s
“secret” driving lessons.
In the course of the year she wore out one
driving instructor, but finally passed her test with the second on 8th
December – there was much rejoicing and celebration!
Annemarie’
second
full
year
of
full-time
work
and sistering has been and gone.
The work doesn’t get any easier, and there
are many frustrations, but she soldiers on manfully.
Patrick’s
degree
ceremony
was
one
of
the
highlights of the year. The
weather was very kind, and we all went
down for a couple of days. Himself was
very relaxed, having secured his PhD place in the new Nanotechnology
Group at
Cambridge. Please don’t ask us what he’s
doing; all technical enquiries should be
directed to the only one in this family who has any idea what it’s all
about!!!
He
then
promptly
departed for Chuna, and 5 weeks teaching English to small
Chinese
people. The small team (two young ladies
and Patrick) was able to experience the life and culture much more
directly
than any tourist might, and they seem to have had a great time.
He
still
plays
with
the
University
Ceilidh
Band, and he also has his own outfit.
He tells me they’ve just bought a PA, and I’m
sure they’ll give you a decent price for your weddings, barmitzvahs etc
J
Samuel
had
a
change
of
heart
on
his A-levels, with the consequence that he’s having
an extra
year of VI Form, finishing off his Psychology A-level, and doing Music
at AS
Level. He started the year on a high, as
the lead in an excellent school production of Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Sam
has
been
a
member
of
the
Swingbridge Singers for a couple of years.
They’re an excellent choir, about 50 strong,
14 – 19 years old. Of course, Sam and
several of his friends are 
getting
to
the
cut-off
age, so they’ve
started a
group called “Starfish” – they write and arrange some of their own
stuff,
generally 7-part a capella. They sound
superb, and put on an excellent show.
Sam’s in another band, too – more rocky than the rest of his
musical
interests, but I can’t comment on the quality – I haven’t been allowed
to see
them yet!
Áine
also
sings
with
Swingbridge
and
Starfish,
and she’s in the chorus of Les
Miserables
at the Peoples Theatre in January. Her
GCSEs are getting serious now, but the reports are all good, and she
certainly
seems to get done everything that is expected of her.
She is also still with the North Tyneside
TALENT group, and will be in a musical with them in Spring, as well as
performing in Grease with the school.
Áine
and
I
are
off
to
London
on Monday 21st December, to meet the
younger Mr
Milliband! Áine was an Energy
Detective
for a week – she was given a digital camera to record us wasting energy
about
the house, and you can see what she did
here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkUoHOrKayk Monday’s
event
is
to
thank
all
the
youngsters who took part, and they’re having lunch with the Minister in
Westminster – not the palace, but in the big conference centre across
the road. The tough bit will be getting
her out of bed
at 06.00 on the first day of the school holiday!!!
I’ve
had
an
“interesting”
year,
too. Despite our
best efforts, and a number of false promises, Culture Quarter didn’t
make its
big breakthrough. Consequently, we’ve
put our main efforts back into the consultancy business.
While we’re trying not to relax too much,
we’re having a good start to the coming year, and there’s lots of
interesting
(and lucrative!) work on the horizon.
I’m
getting
back
into the folk clubs – dragging SWMBO along whenever I can, other
family
members as school and other committments allow.
From
all
of
us,
to
all
of
you, all the greatest good wishes for Christmas, and our
prayer
for happiness and peace in the new decade.
With
love
from
Gerard,
Annemarie,
Patrick,
Samuel
and
Áine
