The UCM in Dursley was founded on 17th February 1960; the first President was Cathie Rubin. Many friendships have grown in the ensuing years and after a
slight dip in numbers, there are 24 active members today.
Our Foundation is part of the Clifton Diocesan UCM and we are proud that the current President, (Cecilia Thorley), Secretary (Midie Macdonald) and Justice and Peace Officer (Olwyn Siolo) are from St. Dominic's; in fact Cecilia was previously Welfare Officer and Midie a past President and Study Day Officer. In turn the Clifton UCM is part of the National Association and regularly sends representatives to National Council meetings and Welfare and Study Days, as well as taking part in the annual pilgrimage to Walsingham. Members from St. Dominic's have always supported these events as well as joining other pilgrimages such as those to the Holy Land and recently to Oberamagauh.
During the year Quarterly Masses are held at various churches throughout the
diocese.
St Dominic's regularly plays host and it was especially pleasing to welcome
about 100 ladies last June, in our 40th anniversary year. After a lovely Mass,
there was an excellent talk given by Rita Rees, who started the charity
'Headway', to support victims and their families after accidents incurring
serious head injuries.
A varied and challenging programme for our meetings is planned each year. We
meet in the church hall on the second Tuesday in the month. Topics range from
Cake Icing, Wood Turning, and Travel to social issues as explained by speakers
from the Samaritans, help for those involved with Prostitution to return to a
more stable life style and Winston's Wish, the charity set up to help bereaved
children. We raise considerable sums of money for CAFOD, the annual Diocesan
charity, this year for The Star & Garter Homes, and for us to send cards of
congratulation or sympathy to parishioners, as well as contributing to officers'
expenses. In addition, we are currently masterminding Appeal Fund activities to
reduce the church debt. In sixteen months we raised over £5600 and this year we
have already raised £1000 from Coffee Mornings, Lunches,
a BBQ and Cream Teas!
One of the objects of the UCM is "to offer love, sympathy and practical help to the family in difficulty". All our members certainly try to live up to this ideal by supporting members in time of need, by their work in the community, such as Meals on Wheels, helping Charities by fund raising or working in their shops, running a Lunch Club for the Frail and Elderly, providing tape recordings of news from the local paper for the Blind and many other activities.
St. Dominic's is a very active foundation whose members are tireless in their work for the church and the wider community. The UCM is a national organisation, which takes seriously the many social, moral, ethical and religious issues of the day. It is a valuable forum for debate as well as providing a wonderful network of friends. I hope that anyone reading this page might be encouraged to join their local UCM - there would be a warm welcome. Meanwhile, having celebrated our 40 years with a special dinner in June, we are now looking forward to our 50th anniversary celebrations!
Pat Uglow
President St Dominic's Foundation
October 2000
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