LONDON ASSOCIATION OF FUNERAL DIRECTORS
Representing Funeral Directors & Associated Businesses In London & The Home Counties
LAFD MEMBERS | SOUTHERN DISTRICT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT
Area covered
The London Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston-upon-Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton, Wandsworth and the surrounding areas including Surrey.
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Who should attend
Anyone within the funeral profession – owners, managers and funeral directors, funeral arrangers, administrators – or connected thereto e.g. crematoria, cemeteries, nursing homes, mortuaries, registrars.
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Frequency of meetings
Meetings are held quarterly, in the evening, and are followed by supper. Recent topics have included the operation of a cemetery & memorial gardens, the history of embalming, GDPR and the new FFMA testing protocol.
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If you are interested in joining the Association, would like to learn more about it,
or are keen to become involved on the Committee, please contact the officers.
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Contact details
The District Committee is chaired by Steve Bayley
Vice-chairman Mickey Thorpe
Hon. Secretary Michelle Harvey
Hon. Treasurer Barbara Ward
Please note this is a new email address for the Officers from 2nd August: SouthernDistrict@lafd.org.uk
Members’ suggestions for future activities are invited.
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NEXT MEETING
Wednesday 16th October, at Bromley Court Hotel - 6pm
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Meeting reports
The 2024 AGM elected a new Committee: Chairman Steve Bayley (F. A. Albin & Sons), Vice-Chairman Mickey Thorpe (F. A. Albin & Sons), Michelle Harvey and Barbara Ward continue as Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer, respectively.
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Tuesday 29th November 2022
A Meeting and Christmas Social Evening was held at Shirley Park Golf Club. Attendees enjoyed a lively meeting and dinner.
The meeting welcomed guest speakers Simon Pearson and Malcolm Flanders, of Golden Charter. Malcolm is perhaps now better known as the voice of The Partnership Podcast.
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Wednesday 20th July 2022 – Southern District is back!
Shirley Park Golf Club hosted the first meeting after the pandemic-inflicted hiatus.
The opportunity to get together for a social occasion clearly was welcomed by all attendees. A convivial evening was enjoyed, despite the London-wide BBQ ban announced in response to the heatwave.
A new Committee has been agreed, with new Chairman Gary Valentine-Fuller (of Valentine & Turner) and Vice-Chairman Joe Walking (Rowland Brothers) elected.
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Gary gave special thanks to his predecessor, Tony Pearson, who had served as Chairman for a pandemic-enforced 3 year period.
Deborah Hooper, Director of Ceremonies, Humanists UK, was guest speaker and prompted an interesting, and sometimes passionate, discussion on Humanists and Celebrants.
London Association President, Michael Tiney, provided an update on national and regional matters.
Gary’s pleas for additional support were rewarded: Nick Wibberley (NS Wibberley) subsequently has volunteered to serve as Secretary and Barbara Ward again was persuaded (just “for ONE more year”) to continue as Treasurer.​​
Gary and Joe are pictured with London President Michael Tiney.
New Chairman Gary was congratulated by
LAFD President Michael
Monday 21st October 2019
A busy meeting was held at Shirley Park Golf Club. Simon Rolfe, of East Surrey Mortuary, provided a well-received presentation that prompted a lively discussion. London Association President, Adam Ginder, provided a report on matters raised at the recent NAFD General Meeting and an update on regional developments. The next meeting will be in January.
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Monday 8th July 2019
The meeting was held at a new venue – Shirley Park Golf Club – which proved an excellent host to the Association’s members and guests. London Association President, Adam Ginder, provided updates on recent national and regional developments.
The next meeting will be in October.
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Monday 15th April 2019 – AGM – Hallmark Hotel, Purley Way, Croydon
London Association Vice-President, Adam Ginder, was in attendance at the 2019 Annual General Meeting and provided updates on LAFD/NAFD recent developments and events. The evening included elections to the Committee. New Chairman Tony Pearson will be supported by Gary Valentine-Fuller (Vice-chairman), Frank Meilack (continuing as Hon. Secretary) and Barbara Ward (continuing as Hon. Treasurer). Retiring Chairman Emily Sharma thanked the Committee and members for their support during her year in office, which she had thoroughly enjoyed. There was discussion of the trial of the Medical Examiner process, conducted very successfully by Croydon Crematorium and local funeral firms. The evening concluded with dinner, as usual. The next meeting is being planned for early July.
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Monda y 23rd July 218
The meeting welcomed Howard Pickard, Managing Director, Resomation LBBC, who gave a presentation on “water cremation”.
As is customary, attendees enjoyed a convivial supper to complete the evening.
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Monday 30th April 2018 – AGM
New London Association President, Richard van Nes, was delighted to be invited to attend the Southern District Association’s AGM and to welcome its newly elected officers. Retiring Chairman Ben Walkling was thanked warmly for his service during the past two years. Despite then being a recent recruit to the Committee, Ben had picked up the chain of office when the previous Chairman relocated away from the area and had done a sterling job keeping the District organisation flourishing.
New Chair Emily Sharma informed the meeting that the Committee’s focus for the year will be on growing the membership and improving communication and engagement with members across the District. To this end, she announced the creation of a new, dedicated email address for the District Committee (see above). The meeting welcomed Dr Chris Rose and Mr Alex Keen, of Ascension Flights, who gave a fascinating presentation, which was very well received.
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Monday 29th January 2018
The well attended meeting was pleased to welcome guest speaker Simon Allen, who gave a timely, informative presentation on the new General Data Protection Regulations, being introduced in May.
The evening also included the customary supper.
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Monday 16th January 2017
The meeting was attended by a good mix of people from a variety of funeral services.
Those present enjoyed an interesting presentation from a carriage master and a lively debate covering diverse matters, such as the Social Fund, Coroner services and an update on ME Implementation in England.
The enjoyable evening concluded with a hot buffet supper.