President's log!

A sneak preview of the first "President’s log" of Ian's Presidential Year - with thanks to the IRRV monthly "Insight."   Read more in the December 2016 "Insight"!

Dear reader,

Welcome to my first contribution to Insight as President. My first duty is to congratulate my good friend Jim on his successful year and I only hope I can follow his enthusiasm and hard work in my year in office.

But phew, what a week!  It started off quietly enough with a Friday night at the blues club which is held in our village every couple of months or so. We have some great artists and Friday was no exception with the excellent Gerry Jablonski headlining. This and real ale at £2 per pint - what more could you ask for on a Friday night!

Then things began pick up apace. I travelled down to Telford on the train with a rail company whom I will not name - they are not my favourite and once again a lack of service and punctuality was on show.  Once I arrived at Telford I made my way to the conference centre to meet Gary Watson. It is my responsibility, as chair of Commercial Services Committee, along with Gary, to make sure all goes well at the conference.  Tuesday morning saw Gary and I meet early with the Chief Executive and President to discuss the days events and make sure all eventualities were covered

I then went on to open the conference.  The day went well and it was good to see the exhibition area sold out.  Wednesday saw the arrival of more delegates and the conference had a real buzz about it. I must at this point say thank you to the sponsors, exhibitors and of course the delegates for an excellent event and also take this opportunity to record my thanks to all those who work behind the scenes to make sure all goes well.  The guys and gals who build the stands, the staff from the centre and most of all the staff from HQ who work so hard before during and after the conference to ensure all goes well. 

Of course the highlight was the awards dinner and again I must congratulate all the finalists on their initiatives and hard work.  At the end of the dinner it was a very proud moment for both myself and my family who were in attendance when Jim handed me the chain of office.  

My first duty as President was to attend the Association Representatives’ meeting on Thursday morning.  Then the drive home, clearing my case of dirty laundry, some clean clothes and off to Dublin the following day for the IPAV/TEGoVA Assembly.  I really enjoyed the event, meeting representatives from so many countries, including Latvia, Spain, Montenegro, USA, Canada, Italy, France and more.

Another early start on Sunday to catch my plane home, and the week finished as it had begun with music and a trip to the Gateshead Sage, a really excellent venue, to see an old favourite of mine - Heaven 17.  Driving home at the end of an exciting but tiring week I had the music playing with the best of Joy Division.  As I pulled up on the drive, I realised the track playing was “Disorder”, not a sign of things to come, I hope!

Yours, 

Ian