Audley, Staffordshire,

  18/04/01

  Dear Jack,

  Just to keep you up to date with the Eardley Group Meetings, we had
another very successful 'get-together' last Wednesday (11th April) at the
Boughey Arms in Audley. We were especially pleased to see Bill Eardley
(St.Annes) and Robert Francis Eardley join us for the evening, the others
present in addition to myself and Thelma included Frank Eardley(Walsall),
Margaret Eardley-Beaumont,Cyril Eardley,Ron & Wayne Eardley,Clifford &
Wesley Eardley and Bill Fryer(husband of Mavis, nee Eardley). Apologies were
received from Bud Eardley who sent his best wishes and offered his help in
any way possible.

  The agenda for the evening was carried over from the last meeting and we
discussed in depth the next steps identified previously regarding the
Eardley Window fund. The main points being fund raising and also the church
'Open-Day' which is scheduled to be held on Saturday July 21st. I am pleased
to report that a major concert will be held possibly during early December
2001 and will feature the Audley Male Voice Choir and the Audley Brass Band,
we are also hoping that Denise Leigh our own local soprano soloist will also
take part. This concert will be sponsored by the local Eardley families with
the total proceeds of the concert going to the Eardley Window Appeal fund.

  The church Open-Day will be another opportunity for Eardleys to get
together and we have plans to take part during the the day with various fund
raising activities to also benefit the Window Appeal fund. The information
to date regarding the Open-Day is that the contractor selected to carry out
the restoration of the window will be present and will describe the
restoration process and be available to answer any questions. The church
hall will also be open providing refreshments and we are hoping to invite
the Audley Family History Society to again take part as they did on July
15th, Eardley Reunion Day. There will be more precise information following
our next meeting where Peter Davies the Vicar of St.James' Church is hoping
to attend and discuss more fully the arrangements for the day. Robert
Francis Eardley and Frank Eardley are going to prepare a presentation in
readiness for the Open Day, detailing the connection to Audley of Sir George
Yeardley(Eardley) the first Governor of Virginia and of his achievements and
experiences, not forgetting his relationship with George Washington, Robert
E. Lee and James Fenimore-Cooper. We are also planning that Robert and Frank
will present this same information to the members of the Audley Parish
Council at one of their meetings in order to raise the profile of this of
this exiting news.

  The enthusiasm of all at he meeting is very evident and it is my hope that
we shall go from strength to strength.  In closing, it would be remiss of me
not to mention the recognition of all of us at the meeting, of the work that
you personally have done and are still doing. Thank you Jack on behalf of
all the Eardleys everywhere.



  David

  PS. We will take some photographs at the next meeting for the 'Eardley
Galleries' on the web-site.

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