Points of Light Award for Newry Musical Feis President

Mrs Alma Brown, our Feis President,  is the latest recipient of the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.

In a personal letter to Alma, Prime Minister Theresa May said:

"The continuing success of the ‘Newry Musical Feis’ is testament to your long-standing dedication to supporting your local community and enabling young people to flourish through the performing arts. I wish you every success with this year’s event."

Alma said:

"I am pleased to receive this award not so much for myself but for all the Section Secretaries, Committee members and other volunteers without whom 'Newry Musical Feis' would not be celebrating its 91st anniversary in 2019. Our festival of Music, Dance and Speech includes performances in Irish Traditional Music and Dance, and I am delighted that it has grown to become the largest Festival of its kind in the UK with over 14,000 performances each year.

"Over the years it has been gratifying to follow the successful careers of many of our talented young performers. One of my biggest joys was to introduce, for the first time in a Festival, a performance class for children with special needs. It remains a source of great pleasure to meet people who participated in the events at the Feis, and to make contact with the many friends I have made from other Festivals throughout these islands."

Alma is the 1146th winner of the Points of Light award, which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA. Over 6,000 Points of Light have been awarded in the USA, and former Presidents have publicly supported the partnership with Points of Light UK. There is a similar cross-party approach to the UK programme and MPs from different parties often present their constituents with their Points of Light awards.

Regardless of whether it’s a doctor restoring local monuments in her free time, a father teaching young people life skills, or a local musician giving a voice to lonely people, the Points of Light award honours shining examples of volunteering across the UK.