AWARDS

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january/february 2024 :: RMTnews 28 S outhwest Midlands branch held its long service evening when numerous awards given out for 10, 25, 40, 50 years loyalty and a special award for community spirited leaders who campaigned for against ticket office closures at Stourbridge. The branch gave a special thankyou to all that helped with the ticket office campaign. Ian Tomlinson received his 50- year badge and Graham Ridley received his 40-year badge. Both members work at Stourbridge station and were delighted to receive awards from the RMT general secretary Mick Lynch. R MT Orpington branch held its members long service awards evening at the branch AGM on Wednesday 20 December 2023. Sharon Gooden (Platform Grade 2 at Beckenham Junction) and Robin Crosby (Platform Grade 2 at Grove Park) stations each received their 10-year membership badges from RMT president Alex Gordon. RMT Orpington Branch secretary Daniel Kennedy reported on new members who have recently joined the union across stations and cleaning grades. The branch agreed to reaffiliate to Bromley Trades Union Council and to send delegates to several RMT Conferences in 2024. R MT general secretary Mick Lynch attended a ceremony to present an award to outgoing branch secretary Keith Mitchell who held the position for 10 years. Mick gave a lovely speech and then presented Keith and his wife Kacey with flowers and a gift from the branch members. Bella Fashola has taken up the role of branch secretary. SOUTHWEST MIDLANDS AWARDS ORPINGTON EAST SUSSEX COASTWAY AWARD 29 RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january/february 2024 :: RMTnews L ongstanding bus member Keith Murphy received his 40-year award at the Newport Isle of Wight No2 branch AGM recently. Keith has been active in the branch and union all this time and he was branch secretary for 25 years before stepping aside to assistant secretary Ed Sturgess last year. He is a tutor at Doncaster and has held many roles within the union over the last 40 years. R MT general secretary Mick Lynch and RMT president Alex Gordon took time out at the South Wales and West of England Regional Council to present outgoing Newport branch chair Dale Vodden with his 40-year membership award and outgoing branch secretary Steve Richards with his 50-year membership award. Incoming branch chair Aaron Maloney and new branch secretary David Hobbs were also in attendance. In the photo back row left to right RMT regional council president Mark Armstrong, regional council Secretary Paul Thomas. Font left to right Bro Lynch, Aaron Maloney, David Hobbs, Dale Vodde, Alex Gordon and Seve Richards. R etired Ayr branch member Richard Hodge sent in some pictures one for the history records. The annual NUR Conference was held in Ayr Town Hall in 1974 when Sir Sidney Greene was the general secretary. Richard was asked to take some pictures and one shows the top table and some delegates photo two is the AGM organising committee, they are from left Ted Hemsley, Robert Green, Mrs & Mr Sir Sidney Greene, Alex Smith, John Higgins, John Walker, Robert Smillie and Ronnie Kidd. CHANGING OF THE NEWPORT GUARD AYR - 50 YEARS ON PRESENTATION: Newport Isle of Wight No2 branch secretary Ed Sturgess with Keith and branch chair Tony Sharpe. AWARD FOR KEITH