The Sarah Fell Room at Friends House, is, after so many years, a home from home for the BBCPA AGM. The addition of cameras and computers added to the sense of occasion to enable a live stream of the AGM. It made it feel more like an outside broadcast by committee members Jonathan Smith, George Auckland and Colin Sykes with additional help on sound from ex OB’s members Dave Roll and Mike Jordan.
Albert Barber welcomed everyone in the room and at home and then David Allen gave an update on 100 Voices and introduced four short audio clips; Don Cheeseman, Jean Nunn, Fiona Mackintosh and Coleen Lewis who, since the interview, has sadly died. Albert went briefly through the 2022 AGM Minutes and they were proposed and seconded and agreed with a show of hands. The Chairman’s Report which Albert gave was, in summary, about the BBCPA working collaboratively with new organisations. The Treasurer’s Report was also proposed, seconded and agreed with a show of hands. All the ‘business’ formality of the meeting was conducted satisfactorily including the election of the new Committee, in a both entertaining and informative manner.
We also had a proposal from a member, Ian Pollock, concerning the recent High Court hearing when the BBC asked for clarification of Rule 19 of the Pension Scheme. This does not directly affect BBC Pensioners as it only concerns active members. It was useful however to explain the provisions in law for pensions and other elements of pension rules and why it would not affect those like our members who are already in receipt of a pension. I encourage all members to take a look at this section of the AGM if you haven’t done so already.
After tea, Carol Elliot of the BBC Club’s Prospero Society gave members details of the Prospero Society and what type of events and outings they run. Following this, Ken Wharfe’s Keynote Address was about Diana, The Police and the Media. Ken was assigned as personal protection officer to Diana from 1993 to 1998. He took to the podium and regaled us with tales of his life with the Royals, with amusing anecdotes on Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. His entertaining talk is worth watching, so I encourage you to look at the recorded live stream @ http://www.bit.ly/3a1O9Mu
