There were people clapping and shouting for more – I couldn’t believe it.

Committee members and three delegates were among those who attended the Union of Catholic Mothers’ national council at the Hayes Centre in Swanwick in May. 

Liverpool was hosting this year, so apart from various roles we had to play – like handing out keys and directing people to their rooms – we were also responsible for entertainment. There was some wariness, as you might imagine, but with a little encouragement, we came up with a plan and had our first rehearsal in the mini-bus on the way to Swanwick – of which more later.  

The conference was very interesting and ladies from all over the country inspired us with reports on their UCM activities. We were delighted to welcome Archbishop Emeritus Malcolm McMahon as a special guest and Bishop Alan Williams, who is ecclesiastical adviser to the UCM.  

Joan Hodge, the national president, had come to end of her term of office and stepped down to become national deputy president, taking the place of Margaret McDonald. Meanwhile, Eileen Priest was elected as national president and I think, at 50, she is the youngest-ever incumbent of that role. Eileen is from St John Fisher foundation In Birmingham and has been a UCM member for 15 years. She has previously held the post of diocesan president and secretary. We all wished her every success in her new role and hope she will encourage more young ladies into the UCM.  

To return to the above-mentioned entertainment, it was on the Tuesday evening that we Liverpool ladies did our turn with a 10-minute pantomime – including ‘A Couple of Swells’ and songs from The Sound of Music and Sister Act. It was so bad that everyone loved it! There were people clapping and shouting for more – I couldn’t believe it.  

At our leaving Mass the following day, Joan Hodge was presented with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal by Bishop Williams. A lovely end to a perfect conference. 

Maureen Finnegan, Archdiocesan Deputy President