page reads:

Luton Irish Forum
Programme 2002-2003

(1) In line with Luton Council’s policy of community participation we will continue to play a positive role in the life of our local community.
(2)Irish Centre- Drill Hall
The life of our centre is limited. We will have to address this problem and formulate
(a) Future plans. Our present centre is central, and ideally placed for our community requirements. We will be exploring possibilities of future development of sites with Cara and LBC.
The Immediate future also presents many problems, which need attention.
(b) Because of our rapid growth it has quickly become apparent that the facilities available to is are completely inadequate for our needs. The toilet facilities are inadequate, and ventilation is poor. Catering facilities in bar/sink area are poor. Our centre is on the first poor. As there is no lift, access can be difficult and particularly so for the disabled. We must always be concerned about safety. We will be putting our concerns to Luton Council. 
Pensions, Health, Benefits, Housing
(c) We foresee increasing demand for our services, which are not being provided by local agencies. The demand for advice increases all the time. Increasingly too, people returning to Ireland seek our advice on Irish Benefits. As a volunteering group we will be seeking assistance in those areas.
(3) We welcome to out ranks a full-time development worker Frances McCauley,. Having acquired office space, we had to decorate and provide office equipment, computer etc.
Her main functions will be:
(a) To investigate the needs of the Irish Community in the area.
To look at the problem of exclusion, take-up of state benefits, use of mainstream agencies.
To evaluate research already carried out in similar cities or towns that may be relevant to Luton.
To assess the need, and basis for any research that may be required.
(b) To seek out and apply for funding for various projects on behalf of the Forum (ie St Patrick’s Day festival)
To develop/advise on the work of the Irish Centre.
To liaise with statutory and non-statutory bodies, and service providers.
(4)Culture
Organise and promote St Patrick’s Day Festival 2003 as an Eastern Region Event
Seek ways to overcome the yearly financial strain of putting on the festival.
(a) Further develop entertainment within the Arndale Centre on St Patrick’s Day.
Seek out more participation of community, business and Irish organisations in organising and taking part in Parade.
(b) Encouraging the promotion of Irish culture through dance, drama and the arts.
(c) Help and encourage County Associations etc. to broaden their horizons and become more active in the community.
(5) We note with great interest the recent publication of the result of the work of the Irish Government task-force on emigrants. It recommends a huge increase in funding for voluntary agencies working with the Irish abroad. It also talks of grant-assisted holidays to help the elderly Irish return ‘home’ on holidays, and funding to promote Irish culture. We will be keeping an eye on this very welcome news.
Photo caption:
September 2002 members of the Luton Irish Forum and the Mayo Association enjoyed the holiday of a lifetime in Co. Mayo.