May's Presidential update from Louise!

Dining in sumptuous Grade II listed accommodation and dancing to “Reach for the stars” – can a President’s life be more varied than that? 

Dear reader,

As the current month draws to an end and I prepare to lose an hour’s sleep this evening (have you worked out when I’m writing this yet?), it’s time to reflect on the activities undertaken this far. In fact, I’m now approaching the half way mark in my term of office as IRRV President. The first half has certainly flown by and with the calendar filling up fast, I’m sure the second half will pass equally as quickly. 

The month started with my own local Association Dinner – London and Home Counties. It is certainly a very different affair, set within the surroundings of the Innholders Hall in the City of London. As my tour of the country continues, I’ve quickly learned that each of the Associations plan a unique evening but it is perhaps the setting of the London and Home Counties which provides a somewhat different experience. The Innholders Hall is a Grade II listed building, featuring a beautifully preserved 17th century Old Court Room and an impressive Great Hall. The Hall is first referenced in a public assessment document dating back to1522, but I’ll stop there before I detract from Mr Watson’s tour through the ages! I’d recommend that you visit the President’s blog to see some picture of the evening, as words don’t realty do it justice.   

Of course, the evening doesn’t just happen, and my thanks go to everyone on the Executive Committee, especially Chris Grose, for organising it - and the local President, Andy Cummins, for allowing me to share in his evening. With his good lady wife being originally from Scotland, the top table represented a fair few of the Celtic nations. 

With a slight interlude, during which I represented the Institute at the Association of Accounting Technicians’ lunch, in similarly grand surroundings at the Fishmonger’s Hall in the City, it was on to the next Association Dinner. 

This time the evening was organised by the Lancashire and Cheshire Association in Haydock Park. We had a plethora of Presidents attend that dinner - with East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire represented. A warm welcome was extended by the Lancashire and Cheshire Executive and I’d again like to thank them, especially Linda Price and their President, Robin Gibbons, for a wonderful evening. In fact, I may have enjoyed their hospitality a little too much as I found myself on the dance floor accompanied by Dave Chapman and Kerry Macdermott, attempting to re-enact the tutors’ routine from the revision course when that well-known Steps song “Reach….” was played. Anyone who has attended the revision courses over the years may recall the tutors’ “entertainment”. Sadly, I didn’t manage to stay up until the bacon butties arrived at half past midnight. Organised by incoming president, Catherine Nicholson, I’m sure they were most welcome for those still networking! 

Yours, 

Louise

Louise Freeth IRRV (Hons) is President of the Institute