The last couple of weeks have been quite eventful - apologies for slight delay in updating the blog with words!
19th June was the Welsh conference in Llandrindod Wells. It was very topical with speakers covering a range of areas and it was particularly welcoming to see Dr Brian Gibbons AM from the Welsh Assembly Government taking time from his schedule to address the meeting and talk about the good work that the extra money for take-up initiatives has reaped from the benefit services across Wales.
21st June saw me heading off for Warsaw to the International conference, the morning after my niece’s 40th birthday party (happy belated, Gail!). In our rush to leave the hotel we managed to leave my laptop behind (which was luckily recovered by said niece’s husband - thanks Chris!) which meant I was without the ability to prepare blog while away other than in old fashioned long hand format and as I have been busy with other things I haven’t had a chance to write it up, so here goes …!
We arrived to a lovely spring evening and, having added a couple of days leave to the trip, we were able to enjoy a day sightseeing before the conference started. Sadly the morning of our first full day “off” was rainy and low cloud making everything quite chilly. So besides a trip to the shopping centre we didn’t really do much sightseeing, but the cloud did roll out during the evening and our welcome reception on the 40th (yes 40th!) floor of the hotel did provide some lovely views. Later that evening we ventured to the old town for some dinner and were tempted into a restaurant by a gentleman dressed as a Polish Hussar! He obviously works on commission, as when greeted with 18 of us looking for somewhere to eat he literally jumped for joy!
We had great fun trying to communicate with the staff (our Polish was not quite as good as her English - but you get the point!) our meal preferences and it was a very giggly evening (from all concerned) to say the least.
The Conference itself was Tuesday and Wednesday, with speakers from all over the world talking about property rates and picking up the effect of the recession. The Institute was well represented by Richard Harbord, Carol Cutler, Tom Dixon, Geoff Fisher and Barbara Culverhouse, alongside speakers from Hong Kong, Brazil, China, Canada and - of course - Poland.
The conference concluded with IPTI president Jerry Grad and myself rounding up with a few comments on the papers and overall theme. On the Wednesday evening we had a dinner with the IPTI colleagues and afterwards went in search of the ice bar. It wasn’t quite Scott of the Antarctic, but the original group of 14 whittled down to 10 by the time we reached the bar and then it was great fun … Donning duvet type cloaks we entered what can only be described as a meat locker with ice statues in the corner. It was -8c in the room. We all had a vodka shot (cherry, yummy!) and then threw our glasses (which were ice not glass) on to the floor!!
This is obviously a Polish tradition - it was funny and there are photos to prove that we all had a very merry 15 minutes or so in the room.
Most of the group left the following day, but I had a meeting with the Polish Minister who wanted to talk about property tax reform in light of the conference, it was a good liaison and hopefully Geoff Fisher and myself represented the Institute well. We flew home Friday after spending Thursday afternoon in the old town and in Warsaw’s museums. It is a beautiful city and well worth a visit.
On the Saturday we picked up the new puppy, who is a delight and watched while he terrorised our three year old Golden Retriever, but they have quickly settled in to a sibling rivalry relationship!
The following week saw the start of the performance awards visits for myself and Chief Executive David Magor. We drove through the most awful storm on the M6 - I have never seen rain like it! We were down to 10 miles an hour! The visits are proving that the standards are as high as ever and whittling down the entrants to a small number for the final is not going to be easy!
Then last week was the council round and annual reception. I do hope those who went enjoyed themselves and had a good time on the Monday evening. We were at the London Transport Museum and it was really good. The band Perfidia worked really well in the atmosphere and it was an excellent evening.
The day was long as we had Committee meetings from 10.00 that morning and Council the following morning followed by the Past Presidents’ (and honorary members’) luncheon in Simpsons on the Strand. I very almost got to speak to one of my favourite authors Terry Pratchett as I was leaving. He was only two people in front of me (having been addressing a separate luncheon) at the restaurant, but as it was tipping with rain everyone was standing on the entrance steps and wouldn’t get out of the way, by the time I had “excused - me” free of the crowd he was just a figure in a black hat hurrying down the road. Ah well ….almost!
That about brings you up to date, I am in the office this week mostly, waiting to see whether I have to re-bill for Council Tax as Surrey Police Authority have had their capping order laid by Parliament. There should be a judicial review hearing and then we will know whether or not it is required, whoever said life in local government was dull????
Final reminder - the sleepwalk is this weekend, if you would like to sponsor me please visit my just giving website : www.justgiving.com/julieholden1
Many thanks to those that have already done so - we are doing very well against the overall target, but a little more will be most gladly accepted. If you are coming down for the walk, see you there!!!
19th June was the Welsh conference in Llandrindod Wells. It was very topical with speakers covering a range of areas and it was particularly welcoming to see Dr Brian Gibbons AM from the Welsh Assembly Government taking time from his schedule to address the meeting and talk about the good work that the extra money for take-up initiatives has reaped from the benefit services across Wales.
21st June saw me heading off for Warsaw to the International conference, the morning after my niece’s 40th birthday party (happy belated, Gail!). In our rush to leave the hotel we managed to leave my laptop behind (which was luckily recovered by said niece’s husband - thanks Chris!) which meant I was without the ability to prepare blog while away other than in old fashioned long hand format and as I have been busy with other things I haven’t had a chance to write it up, so here goes …!
We arrived to a lovely spring evening and, having added a couple of days leave to the trip, we were able to enjoy a day sightseeing before the conference started. Sadly the morning of our first full day “off” was rainy and low cloud making everything quite chilly. So besides a trip to the shopping centre we didn’t really do much sightseeing, but the cloud did roll out during the evening and our welcome reception on the 40th (yes 40th!) floor of the hotel did provide some lovely views. Later that evening we ventured to the old town for some dinner and were tempted into a restaurant by a gentleman dressed as a Polish Hussar! He obviously works on commission, as when greeted with 18 of us looking for somewhere to eat he literally jumped for joy!
We had great fun trying to communicate with the staff (our Polish was not quite as good as her English - but you get the point!) our meal preferences and it was a very giggly evening (from all concerned) to say the least.
The Conference itself was Tuesday and Wednesday, with speakers from all over the world talking about property rates and picking up the effect of the recession. The Institute was well represented by Richard Harbord, Carol Cutler, Tom Dixon, Geoff Fisher and Barbara Culverhouse, alongside speakers from Hong Kong, Brazil, China, Canada and - of course - Poland.
The conference concluded with IPTI president Jerry Grad and myself rounding up with a few comments on the papers and overall theme. On the Wednesday evening we had a dinner with the IPTI colleagues and afterwards went in search of the ice bar. It wasn’t quite Scott of the Antarctic, but the original group of 14 whittled down to 10 by the time we reached the bar and then it was great fun … Donning duvet type cloaks we entered what can only be described as a meat locker with ice statues in the corner. It was -8c in the room. We all had a vodka shot (cherry, yummy!) and then threw our glasses (which were ice not glass) on to the floor!!
This is obviously a Polish tradition - it was funny and there are photos to prove that we all had a very merry 15 minutes or so in the room.
Most of the group left the following day, but I had a meeting with the Polish Minister who wanted to talk about property tax reform in light of the conference, it was a good liaison and hopefully Geoff Fisher and myself represented the Institute well. We flew home Friday after spending Thursday afternoon in the old town and in Warsaw’s museums. It is a beautiful city and well worth a visit.
On the Saturday we picked up the new puppy, who is a delight and watched while he terrorised our three year old Golden Retriever, but they have quickly settled in to a sibling rivalry relationship!
The following week saw the start of the performance awards visits for myself and Chief Executive David Magor. We drove through the most awful storm on the M6 - I have never seen rain like it! We were down to 10 miles an hour! The visits are proving that the standards are as high as ever and whittling down the entrants to a small number for the final is not going to be easy!
Then last week was the council round and annual reception. I do hope those who went enjoyed themselves and had a good time on the Monday evening. We were at the London Transport Museum and it was really good. The band Perfidia worked really well in the atmosphere and it was an excellent evening.
The day was long as we had Committee meetings from 10.00 that morning and Council the following morning followed by the Past Presidents’ (and honorary members’) luncheon in Simpsons on the Strand. I very almost got to speak to one of my favourite authors Terry Pratchett as I was leaving. He was only two people in front of me (having been addressing a separate luncheon) at the restaurant, but as it was tipping with rain everyone was standing on the entrance steps and wouldn’t get out of the way, by the time I had “excused - me” free of the crowd he was just a figure in a black hat hurrying down the road. Ah well ….almost!
That about brings you up to date, I am in the office this week mostly, waiting to see whether I have to re-bill for Council Tax as Surrey Police Authority have had their capping order laid by Parliament. There should be a judicial review hearing and then we will know whether or not it is required, whoever said life in local government was dull????
Final reminder - the sleepwalk is this weekend, if you would like to sponsor me please visit my just giving website : www.justgiving.com/julieholden1
Many thanks to those that have already done so - we are doing very well against the overall target, but a little more will be most gladly accepted. If you are coming down for the walk, see you there!!!
