Kind words and coronets

Record number of dispensing opticians and their partners attended this year's ABDO gala dinner last weekend.

President Kevin Milsom welcomed the new ABDO board members (see page 8) and highlighted the importance of DOs in the optical environment. He said the role played by DOs had been raised by the recent Which? report into optics. 'This was reported in the trade press but not in the national media which is where we need to get this message across,' he said.

The gala dinner also provided ABDO with an opportunity to make awards to some of its members. General secretary Sir Tony Garrett offered a formal thanks to CET officer Paula Stevens, who is reducing her role to three days a week and handing management of CET to ABDO's new head of professional services Elaine Grisdale. Sir Tony thanked Stevens for her tireless work and presented her with a bouquet. 'I'm stunned,' said Stevens, 'because I'm not leaving.'