With eleven events between September 2002 and June 2003, this was a very busy 'year' for the Society. The diversity of topics covered in our programme reflects the breadth of members' interests and also the nature of Lecale itself.

Dr Cormac Bourke of the Ulster Museum was our opening speaker in September. His well-received talk on 'Vikings in the North of Ireland' gave us a picture of the impact and continuing influence of these oft-misrepresented people on our land.

It was a particular pleasure for the Society to be able to welcome back Professor Peter Harbison of the Royal Irish Academy in October 2002. Professor Harbison had been our Saint Patrick's Festival lecturer in March but became unwell during his presentation. He was most insistent that he would return and deliver his talk later in the year. His theme of 'Images of St. Patrick down the years' was extremely well illustrated and gave us an insight into the changing nature of representations of the saint from the eighth century up to modern times.

Another visitor from Dublin was Dr Kenneth Milne, historiographer of the Church of Ireland. His November lecture on 'Charter Schools' was fascinating and threw light nn a little-known topic. The Charter schools began in the early eighteenth century and had ceased by the middle of the nineteenth. Dr Milne quoted an Inspector's report on the school just outside Strangford, at Isle O'Valla, which made grim reading by modern standards. The archives of the Charter Schools are held at Trinity College, Dublin and Dr Milne has published the definitive book on the subject.

November witnessed a milestone in the history of the Society with the publication of the twentieth volume of the Lecale Miscellay, edited by Albert Colmer. A Past-President and Honorary Member of the Society, Albert has now stepped down from the editorship and an article in this journal pays tribute to him and his work for the Society.

'The history of Ardglass and its Golf Club' was the title of George Rice's lecture in December. The history of the clubhouse building, formerly the home of Lord Charles FitzGerald and later of his step-father, the famous Mr Ogilvie, is central to the whole history and development of Ardglass as a port.

The first lecture of 2003 was delivered by Dr Maurna Crozier. Her topic of 'Wedding customs' proved most entertaining, and occasionally scandalous! In the nineteenth and even well into the twentieth century it was not unusual for agricultural workers to leave their toil in the morning, get married, and return to work in the afternoon - sometimes without even mentioning the event. The stark contrast with the present-day was not lost on the audience.

What could be more 'everyday' than a bakery? McCann's Bakery in Newry to be precise. What surprise could possibly lurk within it? Well, the remains of a castle - Bagenal's Castle - was the startling answer. The story of its discovery, partial excavation and proposed renovation to be the new Newry Museum was the subject of Noreen Cunningham's February lecture. A beautifully produced booklet on the subject was distributed to members after the talk.

The speaker at our Saint Patrick's Festival lecture in March was the Most Revd Joseph Duffy, Bishop of Clogher, who spoke on 'Recent writings on St. Patrick'. It took a very short time indeed for us all to realise that we were in for an exceptional evening, a real treat. Bishop Duffy's learning and manner of exposition combined with humour to produce a picture of Saint Patrick as a man and as an historical figure that was truly striking. The extensive Question & Answer session which followed this memorable talk was a fitting measure of the interest and enthusiasm it had engendered.

At the Annual General Meeting in April, a revised constitution was adopted and an Executive Committee elected. Hazel Dunford stood down as honorary treasurer after seven years service, but we look forward to her continued active participation in the Society. Following the formal business, individual members introduced a wide range of 'items of interest 'which they had brought along, and which gave rise to many interesting additional comments from the audience.

Ciara Chambers of the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission visited us in May to show excerpts of local interest from the Commission's Digital Film Archive. This growing archive consists of moving-pictures from the late nineteenth century onwards. It is preserving for posterity much rare and rarely-seen material that would have been in grave danger of being lost forever in its original cellulose film format.

Our year was rounded off in style by a visit to Finnebrogue House, Downpatrick, on a lovely evening in late June. Thirty-four members were taken on an extensive tour of the principal rooms and given a comprehensive account of the site and its development. The estate was at one time a grange, or out-farm, of Inch Abbey The present house, although much modified in the late eighteenth century, dates from a hundred years earlier. Thanks to Arthur and Elizabeth Acheson, who so graciously opened their home to us, a sum of £170 was raised for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Our year could not have ended in a more enjoyable or worthy way.

In considering the whole range of the Society's activities over the year, sincere thanks are due to all those, too numerous to name individually who have contributed to its success. The participation of members in events and in the organisation of the Society is essential to maintaining its health and vigour. The staff of Down County Museum deserve special praise for helping to make our events there run so smoothly. Finally the financial support of Down District Council for the Saint Patrick's Festival lecture and for our journal is greatly appreciated and gratefully acknowledged.

Colm Rooney