North Down Alliance welcome Lord Alderdice at AGM

Lord Alderdice plus North Down Alliance Elected reps and Officers

North Down Alliance last week welcomed Lord Alderdice as Guest Speaker at their AGM held in the Good Templar Hall, Hamilton Road, Bangor on Thursday 5 January 2012. 

New office bearers were also elected with Adam Harbinson re-elected as Chairperson and Claire Johnston joining as Vice Chair.

Lord Alderdice’s speech touched upon his time in politics, experience of being part of a party of Government in Westminster and life in the House of Lords and left members in an upbeat mood.

Commenting after the event, Chairperson Adam Harbinson remarked “After previously serving as Leader of the Alliance Party, Speaker of Northern Ireland Assembly and Member of the Independent Monitoring Commission, Lord Alderdice was able to provide members with a thought provoking speech. Members particularly appreciated his positive outlook concerning the future ahead for the Alliance Party based upon a strong track record of building Community Relations during difficult times”.

At the AGM the Association looked back on the positive progress made during 2011 with Dr Stephen Farry elected as MLA and subsequently as Minister for Employment of Learning.

Whilst the Association were disappointed that Anne Wilson narrowly missed out on election to the Assembly election of a strong team to North Down Borough Council was warmly welcomed with Anne Wilson, Tony Hill, Andrew Muir, Larry Thompson, Christine Bower and Michael Bower all elected as Councillors.

A new Committee to lead North Down Alliance during 2012 was elected at the AGM and includes Jean Green as President, Susan O’Brien as Vice President, Adam Harbinson as Chairperson, Claire Johnston as Vice Chair, Michael Watts as Secretary, Chris Mackey as Treasuer, Bryan Ardhill as Membership Officer and Rodney Neill as Media Officer.

Concluding, Chairperson Adam Harbinson remarked “Plans are now being made for an exciting programme of events during 2012 to include new and innovative fundraising and engagement events to raise funds for the party and our profile locally in communities across the constituency”.