Keele - 29th April

It was great to visit Keele and meet many of the students and tutors in the training sessions and at the Thursday evening dinner.

Good to hear of the success of the new Miscellaneous Income Conference with some 80 delegates.

As usual the "Entertainment" at the Keele dinner was spectacular and entertaining led by Gary Watson!

Northern Ireland

Some photographs from the Presidential Visit to Northern Ireland last week :

Above : The President addresses students at the University of Ulster. Over 40 new student IRRV members joined the Institute!

Above : Some of the large audience at the university.

Above : The President guards the Queen at Hillsborough!

Annual Presidential Lunch

I was delighted to host the Annual Presidential Lunch on 19th March when the Institute invites Presidents and representatives of kindred bodies and organisations.

Guests included IPTA's Jerry Grad (from Canada), RSA president Mark Higgin, RICS David Rusholme, VOA Paul Sanderson, VTS Anne Galbraithe, and Strettons Director Simon Tilsiter.

Thanks to Paul Sanderson for the above photos.

RSA / IRRV (L&HC) - Joint Meeting on 25th January at Herbert Smith

Delighted to attend a packed joint IRRV London Association/Rating Surveyors Association meeting on 25th January at the offices of lawyers Herbert Smith.

RSA president Mark Higgin introduced excellent presentations by Herbert Smith lawyers, Gordon Heath, and Jon Bestow VTS Registrar, and IRRV London Association President Peter Scrafton spoke of the Lands Tribunal consultation paper on increased fees.

Here are some photographs from the event:

Photos by Richard Guy - with grateful thanks.

IRRV Council Round - January 2010 - at Chigwell Essex

It was welcome to Essex for the first Council Round of 2010 - including a new Law and Research Committee in addition to Education and Commercial Services plus Professional Conduct Committees.

Above : Presents for John Roberts (top photo) and Bill Lovell (bottom photo) and thanks for their service as Council Members

Photographs : Copyright R Guy 2010 – not for commercial use - may be reproduced for publication provided authorship acknowledged.

Chartered Institute of Taxation lunch

Wednesday's Chartered Institute of Taxation lunch sported 3 previous Chancellors of the Exchequer - Sir Geoffrey Howe, Nigel Lawson and Denis Healey, the latter receiving Honorary Membership with a sharp and witty speech.

Above ... then straight onto a meeting with Jerry Grad President of IPTA, David Magor and VOA to discuss future Conferences.

Above : ... and then to meet up with some Benefits practitioners (Sue Beasor and Michael Famokunwa) for a discussion on Local Housing Allowances.

See above : Delighted that Roger Messenger and I have been awarded certificates as the first UK "Recognised European Valuers" (REV) (see Estates Gazette 9 Jan 2009).

Happy New Year to all IRRV members!

Council Round next week and then the Benefits Conference (Southport) in February.

Prior to Christmas, it was good to return to Scotland for the well-attended Reception at the Royal Scots Club.

Then, the following day, I attended the East Midlands Association Christmas Lunch to join Association President Alan Lemmon for traditional Christmas fare and a special raffle. See East Midlands web site for more photos at http://www.irrvassociations.org.uk/photographs/2/2009/Christmas_Lunch/.

Above : East Midlands Christmas Lunch

Above : Ian Ballance and Iain Macgregor (both from Central Scotland Assessors) with Geoff

Above : Presentation to Jacqui Baldie of Angus Council (IRRV examination prize winner) with Scottish Association President Brian Jeffrey

Above : With Past National President Allan Traynor