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 moreFamily Photoprosaic – 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!!!

Four Firsts from Corpus!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 Sam, Megan, Áine & Jontygetting 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.

Just the Two of us!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 Whitley Bay

Gerard, Annemarie, Patrick, Samuel and Áine