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ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED COUNCIL OFFICERS -

KINGSTON UPON THAMES

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HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION

The inspiration to found ARCO came from J. Noel Martin who was Town Clerk of Kingston in 1970.  He had learned that one of his predecessors who retired in 1935 had died alone in a bed-sit. 

In October 1971 a meeting of retired staff held at the Guildhall decided that the formation of an association for retired officers of the Royal Borough was needed. Under the Chairmanship of the then Mayor (Alderman J. Harrison), and supported by the local NALGO (now UNISON) Branch, a small steering committee was appointed.

In March 1972 a general meeting of retired officers approved the Constitution drawn up by the steering committee and the Kingston upon Thames Association of Retired Council Officers came into being.

Since then the Association has been providing opportunities for former staff members to meet socially, as well as coach outings to various places of interest.

A feature of the whole existence of the Association has been the help and support always forthcoming from our President - The Mayor (and Mayoress), during his/her term of office as well as from the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress. Authority was given in 1981 for the Association to use the Borough Badge on its letter heading.

The armorial details of the Badge were granted by Letters Patent in March 1966 following amalgamation of the previous three local authorities.   These were the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (then just the north-west part of the present Borough), the Borough of Surbiton and Malden and Coombe Urban District Council).   From 1 April 1965 they were formed into the present Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, a London Borough, which also took over the functions of Surrey County Council within its area.   The Badge has features drawn from each predecessor and displays the Kingston salmon surrounded by leaves from the Surbiton Elm and the Malden and Coombe Bay, and surmounted by a Saxon Crown, in reference to the Royal Borough's Title.

In 2011 we celebrated our first 40 years with a Ruby Get-Together, which was attended by over 50 members and a good time was had by all.

 

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