The formation of Wooden Spoon in Ulster came about when Jeff Probyn, the English International met Campbell Keatings,(who became the original Ulster Honorary Chairman) at a social event and suggested that he do something for Spoon in Ulster and pointed him in the direction of Willie John McBride.

There are very few people alive who have said “No” to Willie John and soon Campbell enlisted the help of like minded rugby supporters including friends Roy Rennix, as Honorary Treasurer and Jimmy Burns, as Honorary Secretary - and together they built “The Wooden Spoon Society”.  A solid foundation in Ulster and our sincere thanks go to these “Pioneers” for the good work they achieved.  The original project funded in 1997 at a cost of £2,900 was a major achievement and the charity has grown quickly in the last 10 years to be now funding projects well over £100,000.

Campbell and Roy, due to their own business commitments relinquished their positions on the committee, but Jimmy Burns, the current Honorary Secretary, then and to this day a stalwart of Wooden Spoon continued to be involved in this first “overseas” Wooden Spoon Committee in Ulster.

All the committee members had full time business careers except the recently retired Jimmy, who instead worked tirelessly on Spoon to get the Committee off the ground and make the initial contacts, most of whom still support Spoon in Ulster today. The present Chairman Allen Gibson got involved in Spoon through business and his friendship with Jimmy as former players at Malone RFC and when he retired in 1997, took over the leadership and put in place a small but efficient team to continue to take the region forward. The team comprises a mix of those with time (retired) and those with business connections (still working) providing a well-balanced, competent Committee who all bring different skills and ideas to the table and make a fantastic contribution to the work of Spoon Ulster, with each £1 raised staying in the region.

The Ulster Committee regard themselves as a small cog in a big wheel and enjoy the role they play in the bigger picture. They are certainly establishing themselves as more than just a small contributor to Spoon and pride themselves on the originality of their fundraising events; from sailing to horseracing to Christmas Carol concerts and recently, to benefiting from a film premier! Their annual dinner always has a different theme to keep it fresh but the one element that will never falter is the rousing performance of the Band of the Irish Regiment! This coupled with lan Robertson on full throttle as auctioneer always ensures a very successful night. All these events help spread the word of Spoon and raise funds from sources other than through the traditional channels of rugby.

The Future of Ulster Spoon

The key developments and objectives for the Region are to move more events and project commitments outside the Belfast area, to extend the reach of Spoon in Ireland and to increase the membership beyond 350. It is hoped that Ulster might get a sub committee up and running in the west of the Province in the near future.

Support from Rugby Football Clubs

The Region receives great support from the joint Honorary Presidents, two great Irish and Lions players, Dr Jack W. Kyle OBE and Willie John McBride MBE. Both dedicate an enormous amount of time to the Charity. As do the network of rugby clubs in the region, especially Armagh RFC, Dromore RFC, Malone RFC, Carrickfergus RFC and Donaghadee RFC, who generously host events to raise funds for Spoon and in the case of Cooke Rugby Club, allow the use of their facilities for the Committee meetings. Also offering their support is the IRFU (Ulster Branch) Spoon's Patron, and the Ulster Rugby Supporters Club who give Spoon tremendous backing. Geoff Goldsborough and the Perennials RFC have supported the region for many years and instigated the popular Race Day at Downroyal Race Course on 2/9/05 and again this event takes place every other year.

Ulster Yacht Squadron

In 2004, the Region was proud to launch the very first Spoon Yacht Squadron, One Squadron, a RYA approved sailing club comprising a fleet of local yachts. The brainchild of Spoon supporter Colin Anderson OBE, Chairman of Marketing Group AndersonSprattGroup had its maiden sail in August and is destined for great things. For the first time, yachts from all over the Strangford Lough came together for a good cause, not competing but sailing in friendship for the benefit of those less fortunate than themselves raising a fantastic total of £15.389.47! This was a major landmark in Wooden Spoon history and One Squadron looks certain to stay and sail for Spoon every other year. 

The WSYS sailed again during 2006 and stopped for a prolonged lunch at Quoile Yacht Club provided by Spoon Ladies.  Musical Entertainment continued until the early evening!   The squadron from various “Unique” events have now raised over £30K for spoon. “Keep her lit” Lads and Lasses!!

Spotlight on Support from Local Members

Michael McLean

Michael McLean, M.D. of Premier Sports Management Ltd and Spoon member, has hosted a number of corporate hospitality nights at the IRFU's Ravenhill Rugby Grounds over the last few years. At these events, Michael has ensured that Spoon is present and the recipient of the ballot collection, the proceeds of which total to date well over £30,000!

Graham Hunter

Graham Hunter, the MD of Hunter Apparel Solutions Ltd and Spoon member broke new ground in our golfing calendar by crossing the border into Donegal in June 2006 and again in June 2007 to personally run a golf day for Spoon Ulster. The venue at Ballyliffin Golf Club was superb, the hospitality second to none and the events raised over £20,000 for Spoon. The 2008 event will be held on the 27 June.  We understand this will be the biggest yet.  Thanks again Graham!

Adrian Kearney

Adrian Kearney, MD of Construction Register Ltd held an auction at his company's annual dinner in 2005 and 2006 and has donated over £18,000 to Spoon - a fantastic achievement. It is support like this that enables the Spoon Committee in Ulster to spread so many more smiles throughout the Province.

Michael Boyd

Michael ran the Belfast Marathon in 2007 for Spoon Ulster and came in #378 of 1453 and finished in 3 hours, 50 minutes and 8 seconds. This was his first marathon and he raised over £2500. He will now run the Marathon des Sables in 2008 - a 150 mile foot race across the Sahara in 5 and a half days!  

Thankfully we can report that Michael completed the challenge of the Sahara and is now having a well earned rest, having raised over £13K for Ulster Spoon. A superb effort and everyone at Spoon says Thanks for a magnificent “Feat” and a job well done!

George Priestly O.B.E.

George completed a sponsored bike ride along the garden route in South Africa covering 700 kilometres in 7 days raising £3700 for Ulster Spoon. Not bad for a 70 year old!!

Gifts in Memoriam

From the Family of Alan Simpson

Following the untimely death of Alan Simpson, a very keen Ulster Rugby and Spoon supporter, his family presented a donation to Spoon, raised in lieu of flowers at the time of his funeral of £920.

From the Family of Margaret Wilson

Mrs. Margaret Wilson unfortunately died of cancer after a short period of illness in Nov. 2005. Her husband Ernie and daughters Emma and Jane; because of Margaret’s love of rugby in general and the Ulster XV in particular decided that donation after Margaret’s death from family and friends in lieu of flowers etc would be made by the family to charity - and decided that the most appropriate charity would be Wooden Spoon. Ernie and Emma attended an Ulster Wooden Spoon Committee meeting on 1/3/2006 and presented Tony Richards, the Deputy Chief Executive of Spoon Nationally (who was in Ulster on Spoon business) with a very generous cheque for £1245 - on the understanding that the money would be used to help Spoon projects in Ulster. Tony thanked the family for their generosity and assured them that the money would certainly be put to good use in projects in Ulster and that Margaret’s name and details would be entered in a Spoon Memorial Book nationally. The thoughts of the Ulster Spoon Committee and the members are with the Wilson family circle at this very sad time.

How We Spend Donations in Ulster

And all this great fundraising, which has increased year-on-year, has led to some fantastic projects. Since 1995, the region has raised funds to complete the following projects and they have always a number of applications seeking help. Only through involvement with Spoon has Allen Gibson become aware that there is such a great need for help with disadvantaged children and young people in the Province.

"One of the most satisfying things as a Regional Chairman is helping those who have virtually no resources but who are trying their hardest to overcome the challenges they face. To suggest that Spoon should spend slightly more and do more than the project dare ask for to help these children is so rewarding, they think all their Christmases have come at once - and that's why our Committee is involved in Spoon!"