MEET <strong>THE</strong> BRANCHESIsle of Wight branchAlthough one of the smallest, the Isle of Wight Branch is alsoone of the oldest. Set up in 1970, it has been running for42 years. It started with 17 members and, considering thereare no Shell offices on the island, it is surprising that numbershave actually increased to about 30, with a dozen or soregularly attending events. SPANews that year advertisedan autumn luncheon, with the tantalising precaution: “…inview of the recent widely publicised ‘happening’ in theisland, a carefully chosen menu will be provided. Memberswill not be invited to take pot luck!” One can only assumeit was referring to the “pot”consumed at the Isle of WightFestival, the last of three wildevents held there.I joined Chairman ChrisPryce, membership SecretaryElaine Gourlay, and a jollygroup at their autumn lunchin Ryde. Although theIsle of Wight festival weather was not kind, thefood was delicious. Theisland’s reputation for fresh fish is well deserved. The branchmeets regularly for lunch every month or so, has occasionalvisits to places such as Beaulieu, and has an annual outingto the theatre at Chichester. Members are a well-travelledbunch, quite a few of them having worked around the worldand choosing to settle on the scenic island.Chris would welcome new members moving to the Isle of Wight.Isle of Wight Chris Pryce, Linda GourlaySussex branchAt its first meeting in 1979, over 200 members turned up. Thefollowing year, a victim of its own success, the branch had to turnaway members wanting to attend a lunch, as they could onlyaccommodate 140! I joined Sussex branch for their AGM at theWindsor Hotel, Worthing, and although the numbers had declined,there was still a lively turnout, despite the unavailability of someof the committee. I doubt the quality of food was as good in 1979as it was at The Windsor in October. The well-stocked raffle raised£200 for SPBA.SussexToday, members enjoy a varied calendar of social events, suchas a trip on the River Rother, with cream tea. The branch is goingto the dogs, literally, with a trip to the races and lunch, in Hove.Clive Woollaston, Treasurer and general dog’s body (his words),tries to keep costs down by emailing members where possible. Amathematician, he started playing with computers in 1966 andpersuaded SIPC to pay him for his hobby. He and his wife, Jackie,who also happens to be Chairman, enjoyed their years workingin Africa, while growing their family. Clive helped to introduceShell Centre to the ‘new’ desktop ‘thingy’. Jackie still needed ahobby so played shops – first the ‘village store’ and then a seaside ‘kiss me quick’ and had lots of fun, too. Now, both retired,they overlook the beach at Hastings.Norman Sherry stood in for Chair, Jackie Woollaston, at the AGM.Norman used to work on in-house communications; his name willbe familiar to many pensioners who read London Shell. MemberGeoffrey Burn was interested in the SPANews article about theinnovative move to open-plan offices. In 1949 the Accountsdepartment moved from St Helen’s Court to a Houndsditchwarehouse, with 350 people in one room, followed by 250 fromExport on the next floor, then Refining & Marketing. The wheelhas come full-circle; the difference then was that department headshad their own offices.Stereo committee members Pauline Messum and Pauline Sharpeagree that committee meetings are fun. As a first, they will jointlyrepresent Sussex at the Chairmen’s meeting in 2013.22 | SPA NEWS
We are sorry if your photo has notbeen published but we havelimited space and can only includea few of the wonderful picturesthat we receive.CONGRATULATIONSMembers’ AnniversariesBlue Sapphire (65 years)Clements Maldwyn and Evelyn ofNewport, South Wales – 2 Aug. Maldwynwas a Superintendant at NewportTerminal and former PLR.Diamond (60 years)Dickson Eva and Jim of Irby – 2 Aug.Prior to retirement Jim worked in centralworkshops, Stanlow.Clamp Mary and Allen of Skelton – 22Aug. Both Mary and Allen worked atvarious locations, including Heysham andoverseas. Mary taught at Panaga Schoolin the mid 50s.Pulzer Julienne and Geoff ofHertfordshire – 4 Oct. They met whilstworking in Benzine & Bitumen Accounts.Emerald (55 years)Ellis Eric and Jean of Spain – 21 Sept.Eric worked at Teesport Refinery priorto retirement.Golden (50 years)Connor May & Jim of Cumbernauld – 22Oct. Jim was a Tanker Driver atBishopbriggs Depot prior to retirement.Merson Helen and Peter of Tenterden– 22 Sept. Peter worked in GroupFinance prior to retirement.Lochhead Jean and Ron of Lenzie,Glasgow – 22 Sept. Ron worked atGlasgow Airport as an Airfield Supervisorprior to retirement.Wallis Ann and Graham of Bebington– 22 Sept. Graham worked at Stanlowin Operations prior to retirement.Marlow Ann and Richard of Sevenoaks,Kent – 12 Sept. Richard and Ann met in1960 when they were both working atThornton Research Centre.Chandler Ann and Alan of Solihull – 29Sept. Alan spent most of his 41 years inShell Chemicals where he and Ann met.100 th Birthdayfor Eric Stubbs on 10 Sept. Ericworked at Shell Stanlow as aSample Driver and Wax PlantOperator. In his youth he was aprofessional footballer and mademany appearances for local teamsuntil WWII intervened. Officialsfrom Chester and Wrexhamfootball clubs attended his partyand Geraint Parry, Wrexham ClubSecretary, said that he was onrecord as a tall, speedy left wingerwho scored quite a few goals. Erickept fit by cycling from Chester toStanlow on his push bike for manyyears, often in deep snow!100 th Birthdayfor Albert Gorman on 19 Sept. Hereceived a card from the Queen, aletter from Prince Charles, a cardfrom Lady Mountbatten, and alovely bouquet from the SPA, forwhich he sends his thanks.Albert with son and daughterEva & Jim Dickson107 th BirthdayEric & Jean EllisGraham & Ann WallisRichard & Ann Marlowfor Mrs Mandy Unsworth on 22Sept. She lives by herself, is veryindependent, and has promisedGraham she will come for a ride onthe back of his motorbike on her108th birthday, weather permitting!Mandy with her PLR, Graham MercerSPA NEWS | 23
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