Our Conference this year is an ambitious event over three days. It is being
held in Derwent College, York University and will kick off with a reception and dinner on
the Friday night, sponsored by NfCG Corporate Associate, The Life Insurance Association.
After dinner Professor Patrick Nuttgens will speak about "York Past and
Present", a subject about which he, as an Architect and Historian, is well qualified.
Saturday sees a full programme, starting with a welcome from the Chairman, Marie Jennings, and followed by presentations from Groups about their recent activities.
The Keynote Forum "Consumer Consultation, Myth or Reality" follows, chaired by Monica Shelley (Conference Working Party Chair.) A panel of well qualified speakers will discuss with you, the audience, the theme of the conference: "Consumer Consultation in the New Millennium
Three workshops have been arranged for the afternoon and we have been fortunate to attract leading experts to guide each one.
They will be followed by a plenary session in which the rapporteurs will present the essence of each workshop to the whole conference for discussion.
The Annual General Meeting will be on Sunday morning. - and will be addressed by NfCG President, Lady Wilcox. As has become established practice, the AGM will be followed by a meeting of the Executive Committee to which Conference delegates are cordially invited. That concludes our 1999 Conference but do not hurry away, York has much to offer:
York became the administrative capital of England on six occasions. So when visiting such an important medieval city it is important to get to know about local customs and regulations. Stuart Coverley has been looking at his guide book.
Goods in York shop windows should be placed separately and, due to strict regulations, you should find the food on sale to be fresh. Should you be treated by a medical practitioner for a wound while in York this should be reported to the civic authorities. If you wish to buy salt or freshwater fish you should find these in separate markets. A list has been made of those bakers who in the past have not observed the bread regulations, in case you wish to report any failures you observe. You should find all loaves marked with the baker's own sign.
Only one measurement of length for cloth is in use and only one measure of wine and ale. If you buy meat from a market stall it must not have been left in the sun for more than one day, unless it is well cleaned and salted. The same applies to freshwater fish such as salmon and trout. A fixed price has been set for a variety of goods, including items of clothing.
This includes a set price for staying at any inn. You will no doubt be pleased to know that there are four public latrines, one in each quarter of the city. Should you fall ill, the doctors are expert in the art of medicine and will use only good, pure and clean drugs.
My guide book to York is the York City Ordinances of 1301. It is possible, of course, that you will find some things have changed since then. It seems unlikely you will still get accommodation at an inn for one penny a night or one or two gallons of ale, depending on quality, for the same price.
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