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In 2004 for the first time the Parade decided to run a charity event of its own with the support of the Brothers Pearse Gaelic Football team, the Irish Centre Soccer Team and the Huddersfield Sea Cadets.
A sponsored Boat Push was held themed around the voyage of St. Brendan, in aid of the Forget Me Not Trust. Legend has it St. Brendan discovered America before Columbus did, in the 6th Century, sailing out from the west coast of Ireland, landing on the North coast of America, in a wooden framed leather boat, still built today known as a currach.
Tim Severin and his crew replicated St. Brendan's voyage in a duplicate vessel pictured below, in 1976. They sailed out from Brandon's Creek on hte Dingle Peninsula on the west coast of Ireland, sailing via the Hebrides, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, finally landing off the Canadian Newfoundland, on an island known today as St. Brendan's Isle, proving the voyage could actually be done.
Read more about Tim Severin & St. Brendan's voyage through the Links below.
The designated charity was the 'Forget me not trust' which is aiming to build West Yorkshire's first childrens hospice. It is estimated £5 million will be required, with over £500,000 been raised to date and will hopefully be built at Elland. More information regarding the charity can be found through their website:
The Push was undertaken by members of the Brothers Pearse GAA team, the Irish Centre soccer team and the Huddersfield Sea Cadets. Together, they will be pushing an ASC class boat kindly donated by the Sea Cadets, measuring 16 and half foot long by 6 and half foot wide weighing 47 and a half stone.
The Push started at St. Patrick's Centre at 1.00pm and travel to Kingsgate Shopping Centre, via Wesgate, Market Place, New Street and King Street, ariving at approx. 1.30pm. The Boat remained there whilst collection took place until 4.30pm. The Push then continued via King Street, Cloth hall Street, Market Street, Railway Street, St Georges Square, John william Street and Fitzwilliam Street, finishing at the Irish Centre at approx. 5.30pm.
A team of bucket collectors collected en-route as well as in participating pubs. In addition sponsorship money was also obtained beforehand
The Push as a whole was a fun packed day, with entertainment provided by DJ Tony as St. Brendan from the boat en-route.
The event finished up in the evening with 'Johnny and the Poorboys' with their fantastic blend of the foot stomping Celtic Rock & Roll - admission being £3.00 with all the proceeds going towards the charity. DJ Tony played before the band and again during the interval.
It it was a tremendous day and thank you all for your support, many thanks.
Pictured above from left to right: Andrew Kitterick, Dominic McKinty (Brothers Pearse GAA) Joan St John (Collection Organiser) Charlie Conway (Co-Organiser) Gerry Lenihan (Irish Centre FC) Linda Senior (Forget me not Trust Founder) Paul Quinn, Adam Bell (Irish Centre FC).
Presenting a cheque for £2027 to Linda Senior (Forget me not Trust founder) for the total amount raised from the event.
Finally after all the ups and downs of organising this event, the day had arrived when we could push the boat out, literally, which we did in great style!
The Parade Association enlisted the support of the Brothers Pearse Gaelic Football Club - Huddersfield, The Huddersfield Irish Centre Soccer Club and the Huddersfield Sea Cadets, who pushed and pulled the Boat through the streets of Huddersfield.
A team of approx 20 enthusiastic collectors organised by Parade Events Manager Joan St. John, collected donations en-route. They were kitted out it in ‘Forget me Not Trust’ T-shirts kindly provided for through sponsorship from Shanahan & Cartwright Joinery Services.
The Sea Cadets kindly donated the Boat for the Push, which is a disused ASC class boat, measuring 16 and half foot long by 6 and half foot wide, weighing 47 and half stone. Charlie Conway put the finishing touches to boat, constructed the sail rigging as well as having a massive input in organising the event.
The boat re-named ‘St Brendan’s Pride’ for the day played host to DJ Tony Lambe, who travelled in the boat dressed as St. Brendan. He entertained the passing shoppers in town with a variety of lively tunes, with his patter and costume bringing many a smile.
The route approximately 1 mile long was planned to start at 1.00pm from St. Patrick’s Centre, proceed to the King Street Precinct, stopping for collection between 1.30 – 4.30pm and then finish back at the Irish Centre at 5.30pm.
The actual Push was a great success although it was not without incident whilst preparing to set off. The weather whilst overcast was dry but the wind proved too much for mast of the Boat causing it too snap. However, this adversity was faced in true seafaring tradition and overcome with some improvisation by the sail’s painter Mick Sulivan, who carried the sail instead and proceeded in front of the Boat as it travelled its route.
The other major occurrence was the generator not providing power to the ‘St Brendan’s’ Disco Gear. With everything set-up DJ Tony could not provide us with Music. With the set-off time of 1.00pm fast approaching tension and frustration was mounting. However, at the last minute one of the collectors father’s Michael O’Connor, was able to come to the rescue and able to provide another generator. It was fired up, plugged in and we were blessed with Music.
With the few obstacles overcome the Push started 20 minutes late but in Great Spirit. The Push went very smoothly en-route, parking up safely for collection on the King Street precinct to collect. Bemused shoppers looked on with amusement to see St. Brendan being pushed along the streets of Huddersfield in a Boat, to sounds of ‘The Fields of Athenry’, adding something unusual to a Saturday afternoons shopping.
With the collection having gone well in town, the Push proceeded back to the Irish Centre, with fantastic effort being shown by the team in getting the boat up the hill of Fitzwilliam Street, to finish in style at the Irish Centre.
With the Push over the team deservedly tucked into refreshments kindly provided by St. Patrick’s Centre before the task of counting the money began. The team soon got stuck into counting, with the sum of just over £1500 been counted – a fantastic achievement by all the collectors for just an afternoon of collecting.
The evening soon came round with excitement building for the debut of ‘Johnny and the Poorboys’ at the Irish Centre. DJ Tony kicked off the evening, getting the crowd warmed up for the anticipated blend of foot stompin’ Celtic Rock ‘n’ Roll from the band. Their performance lived up to their reputation with all commenting on what a great band they were, the full dance floor speaking for itself.
In summary, The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is extremely satisfied in achieving what it set out to do in by giving the Irish community of Huddersfield the opportunity to contribute to a local charity and also celebrate Irish Culture at the same time and would like to thank all those involved for their enthusiasm and dedication in making this a wonderful event, they can be truly proud of their achievement.
Hopefully, the Boat Push will now become an annual event and that St. Brendan will sail through the streets of Huddersfield once again next year.
