Fruitful season lies ahead for LTC
October has many autumnal treats in store, including Hallowe'en, Oktoberfest... and the Licensed Trade Charity's annual conference
This year, the benevolent charity for the licensed-drinks sector heads up to the historic spa town of Harrogate on Monday 15 October. The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) conference will see trustees, volunteers, supporters and employees gather to hear the progress achieved in the past year. Highlights include:
l The LTC's welfare support arm has seen a significant increase in the number of people helped, with £883,000 worth of welfare grants having been allocated so far this year.
l There has been an increase in the proportion of younger people of working age who contact the charity for assistance.
l The volunteer visitor programme has flourished, with a 100% increase in visits made.
l The LTC's two independent schools - the Licensed Victuallers' School in Ascot, and the Elvian School, in Reading, both in Berkshire - have seen an increase in pupil numbers and continue to show excellent results.
Opening the conference's official business will be the chairman of the Licensed Trade Charity's Board of Trustees, Anita Adams, who is also the licensee of the Golden Slipper, York. Following progress reports from trustees, she will announce another year as chairman.
Guest speakers include Shaun Rennison, president of the Licensed Victuallers Associations and Roger Hodgkinson CMBII, chairman of the BII Yorkshire region, who will share views on best practice regarding ways in which each organisation interacts with its members on a national and local level.
The event will also see LTC chief executive Jim Brewster speaking at his first public event since he joined the charity in September.
"As past president of the SLV and a governor of the Licensed Victuallers' School, I had a good background in the workings of the LTC when I joined," said Jim.
"Now, more than ever, the work of the charity is a clear demonstration of corporate social responsibility - for example, by providing care and support to those in need, and running two schools, where the children of those in the trade can benefit from excellent independent education at a discounted price.
"We are extremely proud of our achievements and are now seeking to raise awareness within the trade to ensure those involved can quote another reason why this industry is socially responsible."
