Clubland converges on Blackpool for the 160th annual conference meeting for the CIU (Club and Institute Union) movement at the weekend (Saturday April 20).
Scores of North East and North Yorkshire delegates will make the familiar trans-Pennine trip to the Golden Mile, including the CIU’s national president, Durham branch chair George Smith.
It will be the fourth annual meeting chaired by the Sunderland-born former shipyard worker, now living in Billingham, and a member of the town’s Trades Union Club.
Mr Smith was re-elected to serve his third two-year tenure as CIU national president in December, since first being elected into national office in 2019.
He will address Saturday’s annual meeting, attended by delegates from many of the CIU’s 1,600 affiliated clubs across the country, in the Royal Suite of the Grand Hotel.
The CIU’s annual report and financial statement will be considered, before delegates have the opportunity to debate and vote on various motions proposed by the national executive committee (NEC).
The weekend also features Friday’s CIU Beer and Trades Exhibition, the UK’s biggest trade show for private members’ social clubs, at the Norbreck Castle Hotel, at which suppliers are on hand to display their wares and talk about the services on offer.
That evening there is a night of song, dance and laughter at the Blackpool Showcase event at the town’s Viva cabaret venue.
It is the second year of the revised format for the annual April conference weekend, which was cancelled for two years due to the Covid pandemic, only returning in a shortened form in September 2021.
Union General Secretary, Kenneth Green, Mr Smith’s ‘right-hand man’, said: “As with every year, a lot of forward planning and effort has gone into making conference weekend a worthwhile and interesting experience for club delegates.
See more entertainment news from The Northern Echo, by clicking here
Durham branch chair George Smith to continue as clubland's figurehead
Durham branch chairman to preside over CIU annual meeting
Durham branch secretary to take over as CIU National President
Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access for 4 months for just £4, or get 40% off an annual subscription with our latest offer. Click here.
“As well as being able to take part in the union’s democratic process at our milestone 160th annual meeting on Saturday, delegates will also have the opportunity to meet a number of product and service suppliers at our trade show, on Friday afternoon.
“They can also enjoy a night of top class entertainment at the CIU Blackpool Showcase, on Friday evening.”
The latest CIU National Prize Draw will take place at Friday’s beer and trades exhibition, with five winners to be drawn, each winning a four-figure sum.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here