Posted:  Friday 21 October 2011

Baking is Big Business
at our
Annual General Meeting

- Wednesday 19th October -

It's definitely a tradition now for North East Associates to meet in late October for their AGM.

Well over a hundred of us accepted the invitation to come to Gosforth Civic Hall where we began with a savoury buffet lunch, once more to a very high standard.

With the attraction of a 'reasonably priced bar' this is always a great social occasion.  Many of yesterday's walkers came along and appreciated the warm dry conditions, with none having anything negative to say about the previous day.

The formal part never takes long, with the presentation of a few statistics and some comments from the treasurer.
Glad to say we are solvent, well supported in what we do, and that next year we'll have a full programme again.

Thanks to the Company were expressed for their financial support for the Associate Scheme.

A rendition of "Happy Birthday" for an Associate closed this first part of the proceedings.

At these indoor meetings it is customary to have a special event such as wine tasting or a local speaker, the range of topics over the years covering a wide spectrum.
This year a local business was given the opportunity to tell of their history, current operations and plans for the future.

This is how they are known today.  Haven't heard of them?  Don't worry, they will probably appear in your area soon.

Stephen Weldon is introduced by NE Chairman John Scott

Stephen Weldon, from the company, presented the narrative, with assistant Lyn Hindmarsh helping with the pictures.

Customised for us

Greggs is Britain's largest retail bakery business, having started like many with humble beginnings.  Their retail operations began in Gosforth High Street in 1951 with the opening of one shop with an on-site bakery.  Now they have 1500 shops nationally with plans for another 600.

Earlier known as "Greggs the Baker" there was no real mention of bread today.

Stephen outlined his company's growth and development, explaining employment principles so similar to those we have experienced and also talking of the Greggs Foundation which provides considerable support for charities nationally.  He also outlined the purpose and background of the school Breakfast Clubs programme, supported by Greggs, which serve a healthy breakfast to lots of underprivileged children in many areas of the UK.

Some Hallowe'en fancies
Clockwise from top left:- Spooky ring bun,
Vanilla & blackcurrant flavoured creepy cup cake,
Eyeball cornflake cake, Chocolate orange flavoured creepy cup cake

After touching on the range of products they make and sell "142,000,000 sausage rolls annually to mention but a few" and their commitment to supply only items baked fresh on the day eyes became focussed on trays of cakes which had appeared in the room and were set out on display!

The calories outnumber the sausage rolls

A super accompaniment to enjoy with coffee before we departed out into the cold, with the seasonal Hallowe'en delicacies included providing some amusement.  Thanks, Greggs.

A few of us on the Metro journey home, at school leaving time, were impressed by the action of some pupils who gave up their seats for us.  We didn't have the heart to tell them we'd had a hard day sitting down.  Pity we didn't bring the leftover cakes for them to enjoy!

We're continuing through to our Spring Event in March with some walks, a holiday in Scotland and our Christmas lunch so look out for the odd article over the winter period.

ph

pictures:  ph

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