Founded 1980
Chair:        
Secretary: 
Treasurer: 

Graham Smith
Jan Thompson
Graham Mumby-Croft


Graham Smith JP
 Issue No. 82 SPRING 2020
From the Chair

We are I suspect all in shock at the world changing events of the last few weeks and the impact that a microscopic virus has had on what we have taken for granted, our way of life. As the risk is higher with our age group it is crucial that we bite the bullet and do what we can as individuals, as families and as friends rally round at this time albeit 2 metres apart. I write this just as the Prime Minister announces a 12 week stay at home strategy which looks like a long road ahead but is not negotiable. My view is that if you stay at home there is minimal risk and if you do have to go out you raise the risk, so we only do it if there is no other way. By the time you read this we will have moved a few weeks on and I hope we are keeping safe and free from harm. I do feel for those managing the Service and though we have all dealt with command situations this is off the scale and I know our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

Welcome to this spring edition of the RPGA newsletter and thank you to all those who have contributed your stories and especially those with pictures which are particularly welcome. My thanks to our editor Paul Laxton who has had to continually review and re-edit as things change so quickly. As is my want I write looking out over the Pennine hills from my window mid-March and see not snow or rain, we have had more than enough of that, but clear blue sky and everything star ting to bud. It all looks so peaceful which is deceptive like the Swan gliding on the water but peddling like mad underneath.

 On a brighter note and as you may guess from the photo we went to a Burns night arranged by my male voice choir and decided to really go for it. My first time in a kilt [didn’t like it much] so armed with the script for my task of proposing a toast to the “Lassies” had a great night! He was a bit of a lad wasn’t he, look it up! Yes I did go commando! Please note the RPGA annual general meeting will hopefully be in the afternoon on the 13th October 2020 at the PGA annual conference Radison Blu Hotel near East Midlands Airport, put it in your diary you will be most welcome.

 More information will follow.



GRAHAM SMITH, RPGA CHAIRMAN