Lord Mayors’ Matinee

The Lord Mayor ’s Matinee celebrates its 53rd year in January, 2009 and continues to be as successful today as it was when it was introduced by the late Ken Stafford in 1955, as part of the Cardiff YMCA ’s annual fundraising. The Matinee is co-ordinated by Jan Johnson who works alongside the local dance schools to achieve the smooth running of the Matinee, on the day!

We at the Cardiff YMCA hope that the Matinee is not just a fundraising event with no purpose other than to raise money, but, it is part of the YMCA aims to provide a welcome to all for themselves, in a place which is theirs to share, where friendships can be made; develop activities which stimulate and challenge in an environment that enables them to take responsibility and find a sense of achievement; involvement for all in caring and working with others and to create opportunities for exchanging views, so that they can improve their understanding of the world, of themselves and of one another.

The Cardiff YMCA would like to express their thanks to the Lord Mayor of the City and County of Cardiff for continuing to support this worthwhile event.

We are totally indebted to the dance schools who take part and the parents of the children who continually provide tremendous patience in supporting the children. There are over 250 children involved at any one time in these performances. In particular this year we would like to thank Jean and Tracey England of "The Jean England School of Dancing"; Bill Thomas and Marion Garrod of the "Cardiff YMCA Martynell Dancers"; Marion (a member of the dance school) who is also a Trustee of the Cardiff YMCA has made all the costumes for Martynell Dancers herself and this in itself takes a lot of skill; hard work; commitment and hours and hours of voluntary time, many thanks.

It would not be the same without the Compere, Frank Hennessy, who has been a supporter of the Cardiff YMCA and the Lord Mayor ’s Matinee for many years now and in appreciation of this, he was made an Honorary Vice President of the Cardiff YMCA in 1997.

There are many other YMCA staff and volunteers who willingly help in numerous ways to make the day a complete success, we thank you.

St. David ’s Hall has been the venue for the Matinee for many years now and we would like to thank them for their continued patience and understanding which contributes to this being a successful event.