Early Christmas after fund fears

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An Irish club celebrated Christmas this week amid fears it would fold before December, organisers said.

Northampton Irish Support Club dusted off the decorations and cooked a traditional lunch for members.

The club thought funding from the Irish government would not be renewed - but their fears later proved unfounded.

"It just means our members will celebrate Christmas twice this year," said Hazel Giuliano, community officer for the 10-year-old group.

"We get funded from July to July and when this month came around we weren't sure if we would get more funding for this year.

'Christmas all round'

"We wanted one big party just in case. We had a Christmas theme because we didn't think we would be around until then and everyone loves Christmas."

She said they had a Christmas tree and decorations as well as crackers to mark the occasion, and had a full traditional Christmas meal.

"We didn't exchange gifts but it really was Christmas all round," she said.

"There were people with their sparkly tops and Christmas tree earrings - it was great fun.

"As it is, we actually did get funding in the end so we won't be folding."

The group offers basic computer classes, family history, Ceilidh dancing and lunch clubs to Northampton's Irish community.