On behalf of Nottingham Branch, I would like to thank all who attended the 55th Annual General Meeting and Conference at Eastwood Hall on the 7th – 9th May 2010. This year we saw a change in the usual programme with increased lecturers and workshops which many members attended.
It was also a pleasure to see so many taking part in the Friday night informal activities, entering into the spirit of donning medieval costume and taking up the bow and arrow with the archery competition. We hope the formal dinner-dance on Saturday evening was also enjoyable for all and our thanks to everyone who donated to the charities.
I am pleased to say that over the weekend a total of £ 1612 was raised. £ 923 for the Benevolent Fund and £ 678.20 Help For Heroes/Royal British Legion. A special thank you must also go to the President – Heather Bailey, who personally donated the cash-prize for her envelope draw, which raised a large proportion of the donations. Thank you all for your support.
Nottingham Branch had worked extremely hard to provide members with an enjoyable conference and initial feedback suggests that you enjoyed the additional workshops and lecturers, with particular reference to the lecturers from Maureen O’Donnell which gave members a lot to think about and the revision lecture from Dr Menos.
Our thanks go not only to all of the lecturers and the trade houses in attendance for their support of The Institute and its membership, but all of the helpers who supported Nottingham Branch throughout the weekend.
We at Nottingham Branch, hope you enjoyed yourselves and have now had time to reflect on your learning for CPD.
On a personal note, I would like to thank the membership for comments received on a great conference; which along with the assisting members, the team at head office must also take much credit. I would also like to thanks those congratulating me on my new role as a National Officer – a role in which it is an honour to be elected and one in which I pledge to serve for the benefit of The Institute and its membership. I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Kindest Regards
Stephen Gardiner
Conference Host 2010 Nottingham
& IOCP Honorary Treasurer
Feedback
I thought the trade show was very extensive but with a friendly informal atmosphere.
I attended one of the workshops (Infection control) which was most interesting.
I did feel that the workshops were an additional and worthwhile "extra" and certainly seemed popular.
The lectures on the Saturday were of high quality as always. The speakers were both interesting and informative.
One of the best things about the day was meeting with colleagues old and new.
If you have never attended our conference, do not assume it is only for the committee members. It is for YOU, the practitioner!
Do consider it for the future.
Many thanks once again
Suzanne Ostler
Sheffield Branch
Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my thanks and appreciation to Stephen Gardiner and team at Nottingham for an excellent Conference this year.
The quality of the lectures, the food and accommodation and helpful staff at Eastwood Hall made the weekend most enjoyable. The lecture given by Maureen O'Donnell Expert Witness and Medical Legal, made me think of how I can improve my records and I will be putting this into practice immediately.
Looking forward to the next AGM in Windsor.
Denise Willis,
Chester North Wales Staffordshire and Shropshire Branch
Dear All,
Having attended the Annual General Meeting, Conference and Dinner Dance for quite a few years, I keep thinking I must have experienced the ‘best’ but every year the organising branches manage to introduce some ‘originality’ which makes their AGM successful, special and memorable. Well done Nottingham branch and the Midland Area Council - the medieval fancy dress on the Friday night was innovative, a perfect ‘ice breaker’ and brought hoots of laughter as the National Officers, Members and Traders alike appeared in their various guises. My boss, Mr Beattie, spoke to me for several minutes before realising who I actually was!!!!
The feedback from the lectures and workshops was excellent and the Saturday evening dinner and dance was thoroughly enjoyable.
I cannot let this opportunity pass without thanking the credential officers; Heather McCance and Anne Rockley and scrutineers; Lynne Bourgeois and Anthony Eaton for doing a great job despite having me to advise them!!!! Tony, I hope you have recovered.
I look forward to seeing you all at Windsor next year and hope even more of you will join us.
Bernie Hawthorn
Head Office
Dear Editor
A big thanks to the Nottingham branch, this years hosts for our AGM & Conference.
The weekend certainly kicked off with a difference with a medieval theme on the
Friday evening. It was good to see so many enthusiastically taking part in fancy dress!
The archery competition was not only great fun but raised funds for the charity Help
for Heroes.
Also this year for the first time, we had a choice of workshops to attend. I enjoyed
the Nail Surgery workshop by Judith Barbaro-Brown - it was an excellent and most
informative presentation.
It was nice to meet up again with friends and colleagues ~ I'm already looking
forward to Windsor in 2011.
Alisdair Reid
West of Scotland Branch
Dear Editor,
After so many AGM’s I shouldn’t be surprised at any eventuality. Now I can’t honestly say that I’ve never been chucked out of anywhere, but I can say that Eastwood Hall in Nottingham is the first place where I haven’t even been allowed in!!
I arrived in plenty time to set up our trade stand along with my wife Diane and Sammy, my eldest grandson. We stopped outside the main reception, I climbed out of the car and walked towards the entrance. As I looked enquiringly through the reflections on the plate glass doors I spotted two attendants dressed in Lincoln Green with green hats embelished with large pheasant feathers. They stood inside the door with right hands raised, palms outwards in that STOP gesture that a traffic policemen would use. Stopping short I wondered why entry was barred - was I at the wrong place?
I re-read the word "Reception" on the door. Looking again I saw that the ‘attendants’ were doubled up with laughter. As they straightened up I recognised them as Heather McCance and Ann Rockley, Nottingham Branch members hosting the AGM who were on door duty to welcome one and all. Their laughter was catching and they’d certainly had me fooled (that’s one I owe you two).
After setting out our station display, the weekend progressed in much the normal informal manner as previous years. A fair smattering of Robin Hood associated costumery was obvious all the time and on the night of the social event the place was stowed off with Robin Hoods, Maid Marions, Fat Bald Friars, Sheriffs and numerous other celebrities from history wandering about wearing rather attractive tights (John included). All of course in the best of taste.
The trade show was very well attended, the venue was very nice, and as usual well planned and as always it was the friendly welcoming event we have come to expect.
So congratulations from us to all of you who put yourselves out to make the whole thing a resounding success. Also thanks for choosing a venue with tiny squirrels, my camera has 34 pictures of the little varmints all taken by my grandson Sam.
We are, as always, looking forward to 2011 at Windsor, I believe.
Des Currie
Printer
North East
Dear Sir,
I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to everyone who was involved with the organisation of the 2010 AGM and Conference held at Eastwood Hall, Nottingham.
Although only able to stay for the Friday and Saturday due to my holiday arrangements, the venue was superb. The accommodation and food were excellent, the trade show was of the good standard we have all come to expect and the lectures were fantastic.
The concurrent learning sessions were new and ran very well. It was the first time that we have had "hands on" lectures at our conference.
Over the years our conferences have grown in the amount of days and content and would only happen with such willing members in our Institute. I met colleauges old and new, it was lovely to see everyone, so if you didn’t manage to visit Nottingham this year, start organising your diary for next year as we are at Windsor.
Helen Lloyd
Western Branch 
Dear Roger,
Just a short note to thank everyone who made the 55th AGM a great success. It was an enjoyable and fruitful weekend from start to finish…good hotel/food, good lectures, good debate, good company. In fact I thought the CPD lectures were excellent this year and I understand from others who attended the workshops that they too were useful and relevant.
When I visited the Trade exhibition it seemed well attended with members updating their product knowledge.
The Friday night archery and fancy dress was a light hearted but welcome innovation though one or two of our distinguished gents enjoyed dressing up just a little too much (they know who they are), and the ‘Fun Boy Frankies’ rounded off Saturday night in style.
Overall then a great weekend which, as always leaves a lasting impression of belonging to a large professional body with all the advantage and support that offers.
Jon Ollivier
North East Branch
- Login to post comments