GREATER CLONARD EX-PRISONERS ASSOCIATION

THE CREATION OF AN EX-PRISONERS ASSOCIATION FOR THE GREATER CLONARD AREA OF BELFAST AROSE FROM A SERIES OF DISCUSSIONS HELD IN THE LATTER HALF OF 1999.A SMALL NUMBER OF OF EX-POWS IN AN INFORMAL MANNER DISCUSSED THE CONCEPT.THE GENERAL OPINION PREVAILED INVOLVING A BELIEF THAT WE ALL HAD A SPECIAL FRIENDSHIP AND BONDING,WHICH SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO FALL APART.
THE RE-ADJUSTMENT TO FAMILY LIFE,EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS,TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT ETC ARE JUST SOME OF THE PROBLEMS WE ENCOUNTER AS WELL AS THE PSYCHOlOGICAL IMPART OF SO MANY YEARS INPRISON.WE CONTACTED AN COISTE,THE UMBERELLA AND CO-ORDINATING BODY FOR EX-POWS AND THEY WERE VERY HELPFUL IN ADISING US OFHOW OTHER GROUPS HAD DEVELOPED.
THE DICISION WAS THEN TAKEN TO CONTACT AS MANY EX-POWS FROM THE AREA FOR THE FIRST FORMAL MEETING IN FEBUARY 2000.THE CONCEPT WAS OUTLINED AND A MATURE DISCUSSION FOLLOWED. IT WAS DECIDED TO FORM AN ASSOCIATION THROUGH ELECTING A WORKING COMMITTEE WITH THE KEY POSTS OF CHAIRPERSON,TREASURER,SECRETARY AND P.R.O BEING FILLED.THE COMMITTEE IN TURN FORMULATED A PROGRAMME OF WORK WHICH THE MEMBERSHIP SUBSEQUENTLY ENDORSED.SUB-COMMITTEES WERE THEN ESTABLISHED TO DEAL WITH EACH ITEM ON THE PROGRAMME IE.THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MEMORIAL GARDEN,A WELFARE COMMITTEE,EDUCATION,BI-LINGUAL STREET SIGNS,THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE FACILITIES FOR THE YOUTH OF THE AREA,WHILE SUPPORTING OTHER RELEVANT COMMUNITY,YOUTH AND RESIDENTS GROUPS.
TO DATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MEMORIAL GARDEN HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND OPENED ON AUGUST THE 20TH 2000.
AS AN ASSOCIATION WE CAN NOW FOCUS OUR ENERGIES ON THE REMAINING AREAS OF WORK.OUR ASSOCIATION IS SELF-FINANCING RECEIVING NO STATE OR STATUTORY FUNDING.WE ARE TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON THE GENEROUSITY OF OUR FREINDS AND SUPPORTERS WORLDWIDE.
ANY DONATIONS CAN BE SENT TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS;

GREATER CONARD EX-PRISONERS ASSOCIATION
C/O 10 BEECHMOUNT AVENUE
BELFAST,BT127NA
N.IRELAND

WE FEEL OUR WORK WITHIN THE ASSOCIATION WILL ALLOW US TO CONTRIBUTE CONSTRUCTIVELY TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY,IMPROVE OUR/THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND HELP CONSOLIDATE ALL THAT WE HAVE GAINED IN MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF STRUGGLE.

A MARCH PASS THE NUNS CONVENT AT THE TOP OF ORAMORE ST