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......Maguire. This has been in response to a huge demand for advice on benefits, health and housing which is not being provided by local agencies. We have had notable success also in providing advice for Irish Government Pensions. Another post funded through the Irish Government has been the post of Development Worker and Nicola Molloy commences employment with us in May 2005.

In the meantime membership of the Forum flourished. To-day we have over 500 members and 3 full time members of staff, and of course a management team of volunteers.

St Patrick’s Festival
Cultural interests have been one of the main reasons for the establishments of the Luton Irish Forum. Setting up a St Patrick’s Festival and parade in the town had been talked about for some time, and eventually we organised our first parade in the
The Millennium Year 2000. We obtained a grant from the Millennium Festival awards for all Committee, to do this.
This year 2006 we are organising our 7th Festival and Parade and have established the event as a major attraction for the Eastern Region, and attracting many visitors to the town. Since 1999 we have also taken part in the Luton’s annual carnival as part of the colourful mix of communities that goes to make up modern Luton.
Change in Structure
Following consultation with the Federation of Irish Societies we have been advised to change our status from a Registered Charity to become a Charitable Company. I t is anticipated that relocation would mean more financial liability for the Forum. It would also assist in obtaining funding as we would be seen as a more secure organisation. We would still be a registered charity and accountbale to the Charities Commission.
The Management Committee decided to recommend this change in structure to the membership, and we are now a Charitable Company with limited liabilities.

A new Centre?
The Recreation centre, our home for the past 5 years is closing down. We are only remaining occupants of the centre at present.
We have received official notice from the Council to vacate the centre by the end of the year. They are aware that we have nowhere to go and understand our situation.
A special committee was set up by the Luton Irish Forum to deal with a very serious situation for the future of the Forum. Our brief was: -
The development of a fully accessible Irish Community centre, to act as a focal point for a professional advice and information service, education, training and skills development, and promotion of social and cultural events. This is as recommended in research commissioned on our behalf by Rehab UK.
Rita Corrigan (Regional Development worker- Federation of Irish Societies) has been seconded to us to give help and advice. We have been working diligently with Luton Borough Council to try and find a solution to our problem. We are however in serious negotiation at present with the Council about a serious relocation proposition.
We are confident that this may prove a solution to our problems, but there are many hurdles yet to climb. Let us hope that when St Patrick’s Day 2007 comes round we will have A fully accessible Irish Community resource centre of our own.