It was five years ago when I had the honour of capturing our 55th IPA anniversary event and it gives me a great pleasure to fulfil this obligation again.
Nottinghamshire IPA branch had an overwhelming success of celebrating their 60th anniversary in June 2018 with guests from the USA-California, Slovakia, Ukraine, Germany, France and national guests from Ireland, Middlesex, West Mercia, Derby, Leicester and West Midlands.
They started with the meet and greet event at the IPA head office, West Bridgford and for the early arrivals, they had the opportunity to have tour around the Nottingham Forest Football Club.
The following morning, the Chief Constable Craig Guildford officially opened the IPA festive at Nottinghamshire Police headquarters, followed by a tour of the headquarters visiting the control room, dog section and armed response officers.
The afternoon was followed by visiting a country restaurant where our guests and members experienced a traditional afternoon tea…I had to remind them to use their pinky finger when they drank they tea.
Whilst in the area, the guests had an organised tour of Newstead Abbey and the beautiful 300 acres of gardens, the ancestral home of Lord Byron.
The evening concluded in a city centre restaurant which catered for all tastes from traditional English to Indian, Chinese cuisine….yummy yummy!
The following morning guests had a choice of either a day shopping, a tour of the Council House on the Old Market Square with a visit to the oldest pub in Nottingham-Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, or visit the Major Oak famous for it’s historic association to the legend of Robin Hood.
As the opportunity for kayaking was unable, one of our guests Brendon Matthews had the chance to experience an innovative way of kayaking…
In the evening our guests had the chance to relax over a pub meal and a beer or two. Sharing stories of our previous IPA trips and experiences continued back at the hotel. Further drinks were enjoyed but this time with a twist….our Ukraine guests provided us with a gift of Ukraine Vodka!!
Sunday morning, those with sore heads were able to sleep it off in the mini bus… The guests had the opportunity to experience the historic city of Newark where they were able to watch the traditional Morris dance, followed by a visit to the Medieval Southwell Minster.
On the last evening the Chief Constable Graig Guildford and the Nottinghamshires IPA Chair Tony Berrington closed the event with an exchange of gifts with our guests.
We were joined by many more local members, family and friends at the Masonic Hall function room in the city centre, where we all got on the dance floor. We were able to raise £162 through our raffle and £155 for selling of the challenge coins for the Roll of Honours Trust charity.
The evening concluded with further drinks back at the hotel with a timely display of fireworks at the National Water sport centre.
The success of the event could not have happened without the support of the festive committee members. A massive thank you goes to Geoff & Trish Tootell, Jim & Val Quinn, Henryk & Chris Kowalczuk and Andre Bak.
Gurmit Kaur, 5 Region Chair, Nottinghamshire Vice Chair
