LFG Awards - Organising Member of the Year
We spoke with the nominees for the LONDON FOR GROUPS Organising Member of the Year award to hear about them, their organisations and the work that they do:
Anne Barnes - The Comets, Metropolitan Police Sports and Social Association
“I organise trips for a very diverse group, arranging family events, theatre trips and experiences. Within the Comets we have a Wine Society, a Military History Society, alongside several sporting sections. I am interested in arranging “something different” for the group. Some of the more unusual visits I have been a trip to the Aldwych Underground Station, a tour of the Acton Train Depot, Climbing the Dome, The Bean to Bar Experience at Hotel Chocolat and back stage tours of theatres. The reason I love being a group organiser is that I can enjoy the camaraderie, talking to my members, enjoying the outing itself”
Irene Moore - Epsom & Ewell U3A
“My group covers day trips, holidays, events and theatre visits. We have a membership of over a 1000 people, with nearly 400 (and growing) in my Travel & Events Group. I have two "little helpers" Hannah does the admin and Jill organises the theatre visits. With so much to cover I am so pleased with their help. I have been very lucky that the trips and events I have organised must have been good as they fill up very quickly. The companies I have used this year are InterChoice and Harry Shaw. I find that these two companies have a very good customer service, which is so important when I am responsible for so much and so many people, ensuring they all enjoy themselves.”
Jackie Ames - Unity 70
“I have volunteered at Unity 70 since 1975 and took over organisation in 1986. We are an integrated social club, bringing folks with disabilities and able bodied together, to meet weekly, and to go out and have fun – and we do just that! In 2022 I arranged multiple UK short breaks, and twenty day trips, including theatre visits, boat trips, zoos, museums, and steam train journeys, plus lunches and teas. I’m always on the lookout for new ideas and activities for the groups I’m involved with – we’re lucky to have so much on our doorstep, living in London! To start 2023, we have an afternoon tea, and the following day we’re off to our local theatre for a panto.”
Neil Edeson - Complete Pleisure Limited
“I organised my first group to see Crazy For You in the West End in 1995 - 28 years later I am still enjoying organising trips for friends, family, work colleagues and many others. 2022 was our busiest year to date and 2023 is promising to be