Bryan says farewell — for now

FOND farewell . . . (from left) NUT assistant secretary Nigel Yeo, joint secretary Tony Harrison and national vice-president Gill Goodswen thank Bryan Beckingham for his service at his last Oldham NUT AGM before retiring

BRYAN Beckingham bid a fond farewell as he attended his last Oldham National Union of Teachers (NUT) annual meeting as secretary before retiring.

NUT national vice president Gill Goodswen was guest speaker at the event at the City Learning Centre, Chadderton, and was among those wishing the former maths teacher well after more than 10 years in the role.

Mr Beckingham, who lives in Blackrod, Bolton, will stay in post until summer to continue his work to protect the rights of members transferring into Oldham’s academies.

He will then remain active as a retired member of the union and do voluntary work for the branch as recruitment officer. The 64-year-old grandfather was a teacher for several years before becoming a journalist with the socialist paper Militant.

He then returned to the classroom and went on to work at Royton and Crompton School for 15 years before retiring four years ago.

While he’s been secretary, the branch has campaigned against SATs and academies and took part in the national pay strike in 2008 and local pay disputes.

The NUT has around 1,250 serving members in Oldham and Mr Beckingham says the branch is in a healthy state and it’s been a privilege to serve.