Chair

Most of our members will have known the college as the venue for many HMPS meetings, functions and events such as the Sports day and Dog Trails. Our meetings took place in the Music Room which you may know has very large windows and the view of the grounds on a lovely autumn sunny day were spectacular to say the least.

Key issues for the committee were the resignation of Brendan O'friel and the replacement of Jim Blakey who has kindly offered to do a hand over period up to the end of the 2012 financial year. It goes without saying that they have both been cornerstones of the Association for many years and I had the privilege of working for them both in my time in uniform, Brendan at Birmingham and Manchester in the 70's and 80's and for Jim, would you believe, in 1971at Sudbury when he was Charlie Miles' Deputy Governor,now there is a name from the past. We wish them both well and I'm pleased to say Jim remains as a committee member.

Harry Brett reported numbers of members are increasing despite 26 deaths during the year [an occupational hazard with us I'm afraid] and Charles Smith and Paul Laxton continue to monitor and report back on pension related issues affecting our members. The Newsletter and email system, which are highly valued by members, continues to be managed and edited admirably by Mick Roebuck with the assistance of Paul Laxton and Jenny Adams Young with Bob Duncan giving an entertaining overview of the letters he receives and welcomes from anyone with something to say. Harry gave a report on the 2012 PGA conference at Buxton and although some of our members do not follow current issues facing the Governors of today, many do and it is clear that both the economy and politics continues to challenge our parent Association as it has always done in the past.

Lunch was followed by the AGM and I was pleased to see a few new faces with a total of 12 members and 7 apologies plus the committee of course.

Jim Blakey reported on our finances which, as ever, are soundly managed and continue to show a gentle increase. Charles Smith gave feedback on the Social weekend that he organises each year highlighting the 2013 event as the 111h-141h of April at Bournemouth which has been popular in the past. I have to say that the weekend is very good value and I know he would be delighted to see a few more faces so watch out for the application form later in this newsletter.

As a committee we were very interested to have the view of members on future events so following a discussion Mitch Egan and John Dring proposed a revamped style of AGM and reunion to be held at Newbold Revel around October next year on the basis that it is a central venue familiar to most of us. I, Ray London and Paul Laxton will do some work on the viability of that and report back via the next Newsletter.

Finally I am pleased to report that, myself as chair, Ray London as secretary, Mick Roebuck and Bob Duncan were re-elected to the committee and additionally Graham Mumby-Croft [our new treasurer] and Jan Thompson were also elected to the committee the latter to replace Gerry Ross.

I look forward to the next 12 months and I and your committee will do everything we can to take our association forward.This is greatly enhanced if we receive feedback and support from yourselves so if you have something to offer the newsletter that will be very welcome and we are always interested in your views. You never know we may see you at our next social weekend or AGM.

Graham Smith, Chairman

Graham Smith JP