MercuryPOST CONFERENCE NEWSLETTER

SPRING 2011

J103

169

0411

It was 51 years ago that the YMP’s held a National Conference in Blackpool and prior to that it was here in 1935 and 1952 – so it was certainly time that it came back to the bright lights.

Not sure about you, but it does not seem 5 minutes since we were all together at the conference, the weeks just seem to fly by, far too quickly, don’t you think?

If you attended the whole conference, you will, hopefully, have left the event a little bit wiser and now able to put together some form of marketing and promotional material. I sincerely hope you enjoyed the training and will have some happy memories of the fun you had during the day, I know I certainly have.

The conference kicked off with the usual Fancy Dress, with a few slight

twists, fish, chips and mushy peas in buckets with spades, where else would you get such class, followed by a visit to the infamous Funny Girls. The fancy dress outfits were fabulous as usual; well done to everyone. I think you will agree, that the night certainly was one to be remembered, I’m sure that Anthony from Re-Energize will certainly remember his visit to Funny Girls, eh Anthony!?

You have to admit that the Gala Dinner was definitely something to remember too, with the Lancashire Drummers and their very special guest artistes, thanks Andrew and Dale for your wonderful performances. The usual regional toasts were a treat, with some excellent tributes, not often a good looking chap drops his trousers in front of me, with an audience

too! As for the raffle, if you did not manage to win something, then you can be pleased in the knowledge that between you all, we raised such a terrific amount, £1000, for the North West Air Ambulance, this is a fabulous achievement for the YMP’s.

What can I say about the Banging Out, if you enjoyed it half as much as Andrew and I, well I think he did, then it was all worth it, I was still picking cricket wings out of my teeth all through the following day, ugh!

All that is left for me to say is, thank you for making it a very extra special event for the end of my term in office as the YMP National Chairman and I hope you are able to show Ann the same support over the next 12 months.

See you all next year.

Still going strong...

Look what you raised...

Andrew Barton, Paul Parker, Kevin O’Hara, Mark Barlow and Michael Barrow.

Pictured with Chris Fraser-Clarke, Jo Fowler and Suzanne Thompson from NWAA.

Raffle Prizes: Winners

QuarkXPress 8.5 Paul Keeton

Laird/Lady Title Package Nick Turner (Ann Drayton)

Childs Bicycle Paul Parker (Anne Wallis)

Champagne Stephen Ray (Lost it though)

Box of Handmade Chocolates (Chouchoute Chocolaterie) Mark Barlow

Bottle Vodka Juan Topping

Bottle Grants Whisky Kevin O'Hara

Bottle Red Wine Timon Colgrove

Bottles White Wine Mystery Diner

£50 M&S Voucher Jane Miller

The child’s bicycle was won by Paul Parker, however he donated it, via Anne Wallis, to

Pear Tree Specialist School in Kirkham, the handmade chocolates also went to a good

home, mine!

Although I did tell everyone that we would not be having the usual fines at the Gala

dinner and holding a raffle in it’s place, I lied! The raffle however was a great success,

along with the collection the previous day and the usual fines during the dinner, the YMP

were very proud to have raised £1000 for the North West Air Ambulance Charity. This is

one of the highest amounts ever raised at one of our National Events, let’s hope we can

do the same again next year.

YMP Contact InformationJane MillerBritish Printing Industries Federation2nd Floor Parkview HouseWoodvale RoadBrighouseWest YorkshireHD6 4AB

Tel: 01924 203 339Fax: 01484 710 788Email: jane.miller@bpif.org.ukWebsite: www.britishprint.com

Designed and printed by Corporate Print Services, Blackpool Council - www.blackpoolcps.co.uk - 01253 478 768

Mark BarlowImmediate Past National Chairman

Several North West Regional YMP’s from Blackpool Council were invited to present the £1,000 cheque at Blackpool Airport to the crew of the North West Air Ambulance, it was a great achievement for the YMP’s and the NWAA were thrilled with the amount raised. The raffle, the fines and the collections all contributed to raising this money and it will certainly be put to good use. The charity provides care from the air every day of the year with fully equipped helicopters carrying specially trained paramedics to attend people with life-threatening injuries or illnesses.

www.nwaa.net

The conference was a great success overall and kicked off with an absolutely fabulous night with a Back to School theme which all participated in (still not too sure though where the 3 amigos fitted in?). Fish, chips and mushy peas in a bucket with spade was followed by a knickerbocker glory – can’t remember my school meals being that good!

Having been fed and watered it was off on the school bus for a unplanned guided tour of Blackpools back streets, the driver insisted we would find the lights and we did find the few that were on so the long trip round was worth it. Arrived at Funny Girls, a highlight of Blackpool, to be greeted by stunning women serving a cocktail drink, unless you knew they were men you wouldn’t

have believed it. Funny Girls was a fantastic venue for the evening, great for people watching, not sure what they thought about us dressed in our school uniforms! The show was excellent, very entertaining, and lively, a great alternative to the usual Friday nights at YMP conferences. Even the walk back to the hotel in the rain didn’t dampen spirits as bacon butties were waiting for us. A great end to a great evening to be followed by a day of AD Fab training, creating our own commercials – a sight to be seen and coming to the web site soon so make sure you look them up on www.ymp.org.uk.

Trafalgar Club Out in Force Ad fab!

Dinner anyone?

An Ab Fab evening...

I’m a chairman,GET ME OUT OF HERE!

The infamous conference banging out which sees the outgoing chairman embarrassed / humiliated / laughed at by the delegates and guests on the gala dinner was finally here, not having a conference the previous year, I thought I had escaped, but I was always suspicious of the numerous comments being made by Mark, Miranda & Debbie et al.

The evening was going oh so well, when I was asked to leave the room and together with Mark (the current National Chairman) we were asked to don these quality t-shirts saying ‘vote Andrew’ and ‘vote mark’, the brain box went into overdrive but I could not foresee what was actually going to happen. The words said it all ‘I’m a national chairman, get me outta here’, with two tables for one set on the dance floor, you can guess what was to follow.

Miranda and Debbie soon followed with the customary silver cover and offered the both of us a nice starter on salad leaves and deep fried crickets, lovely. Mark was finished in about 4 seconds flat, obviously he had had these before, whereas I hadn’t (as most of you) and wasn’t in a rush to sample this insect with legs and head all on show. But you

do what you have to do, and down they went, very dry, crunchy and chewy, but the cricket was not bad.

The second course followed and a bowl of baby eels in chilli sauce was next in line, again Mark devoured this like a bowl of spaghetti, where I took my time to enjoy the experience. Finally time for desert and a bowl of ants in jelly was on offer, and away I went, leaving Mark standing.

The audience was asked to vote, and I am sure it was a landslide for the current chairman, but a draw was the verdict and we both received an odd shaped piece of candy – still cant work out what to do with it, have you Mark?

Thanks to all involved and for those watching. Ann you had better watch out next year girl.

Andrew Tait Past National Chairman

Timon Colegrove dropping his trousers in salute to the outgoing chairman, a group of Army

drummers dressed in drag, members of the Trafalgar Club behaving dubiously, Mike Waterfall talking all night - it can only be the saturday night gala dinner at the YMP Conference!

Having travelled for much of the Saturday just to get to Blackpool I was certainly up for a good night, returning to an Industry that I left some 7 years ago. As always everyone was in good cheer and to see so many old friends was a great start to the evenings events.

The YMP Organisation has been part of my life for over 30 years (rather scarily!) - when I first joined, back in 1979, my Uncle was then National Chairman and it was a very different organisation to that we see today.

Yes it would have been good if more YMP’s had been able to attend - nearly outnumbered by members of the Trafalgar Club isn’t a sign of strength. What was good however was the enthusiasm displayed by those who did attend. If that counts for anything the YMP is in safe hands.

The formal dinner has always been a very important part of the YMP calendar as it is a celebration of all that it has achieved the previous year. This year it looks as though that achievement was well worth celebrating! The reason - a few good people have put themselves forward to take up the reins and endeavour to drive the

YMP’s forward. I wish them every success.

During dinner the Regions set about toasting Mark Barlow the outgoing Chairman with some of the most revolting tasting cocktails I ever recall the misfortune to sample. This was interspersed with a cabaret provided by the drum band - who were most effective, creating quite a spectacle with white gloves and sticks glowing in the dark thanks to a bank of UV lighting, followed by screenings of the weekends video presentations that had been prepared by the delegates. Judged by a panel more evil than X- Factor, some were entertaining, others fell a little short of the mark - great learning for all.

There is huge benefit to be gained from the YMP group and the opportunity to learn, mix socially and network with others from the same industry is a fantastic

way of boosting your confidence and improving your outlook. The camaraderie that exists in itself should be reason enough to attend - the learning an added bonus.

The evening finished to some energetic dancing for some and more gently for others at the bar. An evening to remember, old acquaintances and friends re-united, new friends and contacts made.

Was it worth the trip to Blackpool? Absolutely yes - it’s a chance to celebrate all that is good and positive in an industry that has clearly been hit hard in recent times. It is important to keep the spirit alive - and with the YMP Organisation there is certainly spirit! Good luck in the coming year and may more people see the benefits of being a part of it.

Floreat YMP!

Tim MatchamYMP National Chairman 1996

The conference was opened by BPIF President, Michael Johnson, with a rousing speech on why the UK Printing industry is at the top of its game, ending with his own version (not Monty Pythons) of the Parrot Sketch - Brilliant!

This was followed by the training, which was provided by Re-Energise, led by Robert Goodwin and his two colleagues, Leigh Goodwin and Anthony Quintin. The theme for the event was Ad Fab, not just about marketing and promotion, but also team building and time management were all encompassed. The group were split into 3 team, who were all tasked with producing a 1 minute TV Commercial of a fictitious product with team members taking on different roles of Director, Producer, Scriptwriter, Cameraman and Best Boy etc. A presentation of the final product was to be made to the group at the end of the day and scored, followed by the public showing at the Gala Dinner of the TV Commercial, which would then also be judged and scored. One part of the scoring criteria was to ensure that all members of the team

appeared in the advert, plus a cameo role for the National Chairman, who played his part and agreed to all sorts of requests, thanks Mark.

The three teams could be seen filming at various locations, not only around the hotel, but down on the beach, which included nudity behind the bar and ladies in the gents toilets. It was a real fun day, which was enjoyed by all. The winning team was “One Direction” with their product “Mojo”, who were Andrew Barton, Michael Barrow, Jenny Keeton, Jo Wainwright, Peter Handcock, Dale Wallis and Miranda Hayward. Well done to them and also to the other two teams, “Christian Dia’Rhea”, with their product “Plummet”, Kevin O’Hara, Paul Parker, Jane Miller, Debbie Topping, Nick Hancock, Andrew Denny and Paul Keeton, and finally, but not least, “Vision On”, with their product “Bright-Eyes”, Andrew Tait, Nick Turner, Elizabeth Lawton, Mike Waterfall, Bob Davies, Phil Eke and Ann Drayton. Congratulations to everyone, bring on the next event.

We may have missed a year, but we certainly made up for it at the 2011 Gala Dinner, with the ladies resplendent in ball gowns and the guys in Tuxes, what a fabulous evening. Starting off with a champagne reception, followed by an excellent dinner, with great company, what more could one ask for! No one minded the fines, which along with the raffle helped to raise £1000 for the North West Air Ambulance.

During the dinner, we were entertained by

the Corps of Drums of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers - Lancashire, who gave a rousing performance in the dark, illuminated by ultraviolet lighting, followed by the second appearance in drag!

As well as the traditional regional toasts, were the awards presented by the National Chairman, starting with the presentation of the W&G Baird Award, usually given to the region that has enrolled the most new members over the last 12 months. This was awarded to the South East Region, who signed up 15 new members.

The Alden Management Challenge Bowl was not awarded this year, as there had been no significant training in any regions due to the current financial climate. The bowl has been returned to the Trafalgar

Club for renaming/engraving. The final award of the evening was the much coveted “Collins Quaich”, which is awarded to an individual YMP who has made a major contribution to the YMP Organisation. This was awarded to Miranda Hayward of Wyndeham Press Group Ltd, who was given a resounding standing ovation.Other presentations were made by the National Chairman to Peter Handcock, Andrew Denny, Kevin Stallwood and Andrew Tait, who were all presented with their Past National Chairman medals, Peter was also presented with his Collins Medal, for the award which he won in 2009.The finale to the evening was the traditional Banging Out, under the guise of “I’m a Celebrity Get

Me Out of Here”, with the past and present Chairmen racing (almost retching) to finish an exotic 3 course meal - Starter: Deep Fried Crickets with side salad (real crickets), Main: Baby Eels in Garlic Sauce (not real eels, but they didn’t know that) and finally dessert: Chocolate covered Ants in Jelly (real ants), yummy!

You really could not fault the night and it certainly was an evening to remember, one of the best YMP dinners I have attended and will certainly take some topping.

Kevin O’Hara North West Regional Committee Member