CCB Reaches 40 and bids a fond farewell to Baroness Jill Pitkeathley OBE

This year’s Annual General Meeting was an extra special one for us as it also marked the 40th year of the our charitable work improving  the quality of life within Berkshire’s communities.

Guests at the AGM, held at The Barn in Purley-on-Thames on the 3rd October, included many mayors and deputy mayors from throughout the county who were invited to take a trip back 40 years to  CCB’s inaugural meeting on the 15th September 1973.  CCB was then known as the Berkshire Community Service Council with the purpose of ‘becoming  a centre to give information and advice to voluntary organizations in Berkshire.’

Jill Pitkeathley, then a social worker and chair of Reading Citizen’s Advice Bureau, attended the inaugural meeting as a member of the Executive Committee.

The next 40 years saw Jill Pitkeathley take on a number of roles within the organisation including Trustee, Chairman, Vice President and, in 1998, having been made a life peer in 1997, she became CCB President.

She chose the 40th anniversary to step down from this role and said: “Thanks to the commitment, quality of delivery, flexibility and innovative way CCB has reacted to the need of its communities, it is now in a strong position to continue to proactively help communities in Berkshire for the next 40 years. Furthermore I have CCB to thank for introducing me to my husband David Emerson, CEO of  the Association of Charitable Foundations in 1981. It took another 25 years for us to get married but that’s another story!”

The last 40 years has seen the organisation change significantly. Tim Parry, Chief Operating Officer commented: “Our work over the years has included a wealth of projects, improving the lives of many individuals and communities throughout Berkshire. I’ve been with the organisation for 11 years and the pace of change is a real challenge now. We have a very strong team and it is their determination which will carry us forward for the next 40 years. 

After the official part of the AGM was closed guests were invited to join the team for celebratory drink and a slice of 40th Birthday Cake.