Founded 1980
Chair:        
Secretary: 
Treasurer: 

Graham Smith
Jan Thompson
Graham Mumby-Croft


Graham Smith JP
 Issue No. 71 Autumn 2014
Not a bad summer so far [August] with Yorkshire at the top of the league, hopefully poised to win it, and some cricket still to come.

The AGM and reunion in June seem like a distant event now but I want to comment as it is the main focus of what we are about these days. We had another few new faces including Chris Duffin and Florence Herbert at their first reunion and as is always the case the former triggered many memories of when we worked together on E wing at Manchester in the early 80's. Also at the reunion Les Sunshine who I worked with at Winson Green in the 70's and a character if ever there was one. I mention these two as an illustration of how the reunion can stimulate good memories of times gone by and I know it is not what every retired Governor wants but recalling a time gone by with people you generally think you may never meet again is what the reunion is about.

The shape of the RPGA committee is slowly changing and we welcomed Alan Hall to the committee bringing us up to strength.

The newsletter continues as the main communication to members and I think the articles on Prison history have been particularly interesting for me and thanks as always to those who take the time and trouble to inform us all.

As the usual topic of conversation at the AGM is should we carry on with the reunion or not I was pleased that the general view was positive with some ideas of how we may improve it in the future so watch this space and it will hopefully tempt a few more next year provisionally 16th June 2015 so you have plenty of notice.

Your committee will be meeting again soon, and I want to reassure you all that we are committed to doing whatever we can to deliver and inform on any issues that relate to our members. Please let us know of anything we can do to develop the RPGA.

By the way I have now joined a male voice choir at Honley just outside Huddersfield [2nd tenor] and I must say I can recommend it, not easy but a great way to meet people and make a passable sound or so they tell us. Maybe you could give it a go and yes I know you can't sing, that's what they all say.

Graham Smith Chairman