Happy New Year
On behalf half of your Committee may I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year in 2024.
2023 continued to be a difficult time for the Branch with the ill health of two members of your committee together with an ageing and diminishing membership, contributed to a lack of social activity. Hopefully, the situation will improve during 2024 and we can start to get together again. Meanwhile, the firefighters charity are running a wellness group in Buckinghamshire for retired members and partners and all members are encouraged to attend.
Geoff Bowles
Membership Secretary/Treasurer, December 2023
Subscription Rate Increase
The subscription rate for NARF national membership was increased to £7 with effect from January 2021. This meant that the total subscription for Bucks NARF membership became £10.50 (£7.00 National, 0.50p District and £3.00 Bucks Branch) from this date. However, your Branch Committee agreed to absorb the increase for 2021 for existing members as at December 2020 so no action was needed to be taken by these members in 2021. However, action was required to ensure that the new rates were paid with effect from 1st. January 2022, including the need to amend existing standing orders. New members joining after 1 January 2021 were required to pay the new rate immediately. Whilst the majority of members have paid the new rate there are still a few who have not amended their Standing Orders. If you are one of those members please ensure you make the necessary change without further delay.
Geoff Bowles
Membership Secretary/Treasurer, December 2023.
Branch Secretary
Clive Teare, Branch Secretary for the last few years has, unfortunately, had to resign due to ill heath. Geoff Bowles, the membership Secretary, will assume the role of Secretary with immediate effect. Any Branch matters should now be addressed to Geoff.
The Branch officials now comprise Eddie Gutteridge, Chairman and Geofff Bowles, Secretary/Treasurer.
Geoff Bowles
Branch Secretary/Treasurer, 16 October 2024.
Update
With great regret I have to report that Clive sadly passed away on 7 December 2024 after a long battle with cancer. His funeral will be held at Emstrey Crematorium, London Road, Shrewsbury SY2 6PS on Monday 6 January 2025 @ 1400.
Geoff Bowles
Branch Secretary, 8 December 2024