Christmas Stocking Top (45)

The week started with a reunion of a load of my old Flemings colleagues some of whom I hadn’t seen for the best part of 12 years and some a little longer. Not at all embarrassing like some of those school reunions as most seemed to have improved with age (even Mark Christopher).  It was a great evening of reminiscing and catching up on what everybody was doing.

The evening was organised by Kevin Garforth (who I am pleased to say is now going to do some work for the IFP at last – was always a bit slow to get going) and Wing Commander Ian Lindsey OBE. We were hosted (but in a room well away from all the grownups) by the RAF club in Piccadilly and treated to an excellent evening. As the evening developed we were each asked to speak of a memory of when we had worked together. Michael left everybody open mouthed when he recalled instantly that his highlight was being able to see Maggie’s stocking tops when she reached up to get stuff down from the shelves which rather set the tone for the rest.

Whilst most obviously reflected on the great job that we had done changing the world of banking blah blah others honed in on the great social experiences of a Christmas party down at the Dolphin in Romford! Sales weren’t allowed but Kevin and I had managed to blag a couple of tickets from PA Nancy (who hailed from Romford and therefore on the inside) and turned up early and a little over excited about the free bar that awaited us. Having confidently asked for a couple of gin and tonics we were advised by the unimpressed barman that only the beer, slightly warm white wine or slightly chilled red wine was free! A night understanding all about the Only Way is Essex culminated in the hilarity of Kevin (wearing beige trousers) being splashed in the groin area by the admin team much to his increasing annoyance so that it looked like he had sprayed himself every time he had visited the gents!

Dates have been set for next year and the slightly worrying conversation about who else could be invited to the next one. It was definitely a good squad this year but it gets dangerous when you start scratching your head for others to attend. There are usually reasons why they weren’t on the first list. They were either dull or nobody actually liked them so hopefully Kevin and Ian will be sensitive with their team selection for next year’s review.

It has been good to spend some time at IFP HQ this week catching up with the team and setting out plans for next year. The Branch Programme looks great and we have dates in place for the key events. A Financial Planning conference on the 23^rd February will kick us off followed by the first Accredited Firms Day on the 22^nd March. Please put the dates in your diary. Both will be in London.

Today I am off to London with Jo and really looking forward to being a VIP guest at the Cold Play concert at the O2 concert tonight. Children left in charge for the night and tomorrow so that we can enjoy a day in London (don’t go there often) to do some Christmas shopping. I hope that you all have a good weekend and are all well sorted with 16 days to Xmas and 386 until the RDR kicks in. Let’s focus on the short term goal for the next couple of weeks!