SPA News Autumn 2012 - Shell UK

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MEET THE BRANcHES Scotland branch With just under 900 members, including partners, Scotland has by far the biggest branch. Many members worked in Expro, while some are ex-Fleet. Chairman Sandy Bowman joined the committee four years ago. Prior to retirement he spent seven years chairman, Sandy Bowman Northern ireland branch Northern Ireland branch is the youngest of all the branches. It was formed in June of 2009, thanks to some sterling initial work by Eleanor Brennan early in 2009, who managed to instil a need among the SPA members. Subsequently, Helen Page came over for an inaugural branch meeting and assisted the SPA members who turned out to set up a committee. The present committee comprises: John melville – Chairman. Ex Shell Tankers; ex QGPC; Ex PDO and Ex Shell Expro, Aberdeen. He is just about Ex’d out but keeps on going. Alma Atkins – Secretary. Starting off with Shell Mex & BP at the Belfast terminal, Alma went through several morphs, ending up in Shell Mex House in London as Commercial Dept. Team Lead. Capt. malcolm Cowton – Treasurer 22 | SPA NEWS in Nigeria, providing support for floating production, storage, and offtake (FPSO) units. Brian Welch, another ex-Nigeria man, is the newest recruit to the committee. Others include Colin Ferrier and Eleanor Brennan (also a national committee member), and Tricia Hunter the Treasurer. Their most successful event is the annual summer barbecue at Woodbank, which is always a sell-out. The venue is also popular for the New Year Sunday lunch. Because of the size of the branch and the diversity of its members, interest in other events is variable. There is a keen walking group; this is not part of the branch per se, but joins with other groups. Twenty-eight members recently renewed their first aid certificate, receiving training (where’s the receipt?!) A late-comer to Shell Tankers, having spent his formative seagoing time with The Haine Steamship Co, Malcolm is involved in all things Marine from the local Seaman’s Mission to the Shell Fleet reunions. John young – Committee Member and also our PLR. John goes back to the dark and distant past days of Shell Mex & BP. bobby brown – Committee Member. Bobby has been a sterling member of the committee since start-up. Alan murphy – Committee Member - the new boy on the block. We have around 140 SPA members in Northern Ireland with some 50 of those who are also NISPA members. This, of course, does not include their spouses. We charge for NISPA membership (now down to £5) to cover postage and production of Giant's causeway from mountain rescue on CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and survival techniques when out and about on the hills. This is probably reassuring to the walking group! Other unusual social events included a visit to a police station to see how staff and cars are controlled, and a trip to the meteorological office. Future trips include a visit to a garden centre to understand the mysteries of autumn pruning and a tour around Grampian Fire Service HQ. Sandy explained that the biggest change over the last few years is the number of members now on email – almost 80%, which cuts down the cost of paperwork, and has allowed them to keep the subscription at just £5 for two years. Top: Malcolm, John M, Bobby; Bottom: Alan, Alma, John Y newsletters, flyers etc. We would love to charge zero but there are only 15 members who have access to email or other ‘free’ communication methods. Our activities are varied but usually have some local interest. We visited the site of the Battle of the Boyne and had a tour of Shanes Castle, and have recently had a trip to the Bushmills Distillery, the oldest licensed whiskey in the world. While we were in the area a visit to the Giants Causeway seemed a good idea, too. We’re always on the look out for new venues to visit and maintain an interest for our fellow pensioners. It is particularly difficult getting something to suit everyone. Outings usually involve 25-30 people, and our Annual dinner attracts around 50 – not too bad when you consider a NISPA membership of 50!
cONGRATuLATIONS – MEMBERS’ ANNIVERSARIES Blue Sapphire (65 years) Jean & Geoffrey golding of Corringham, Essex – 28 June. Geoffrey was a Planning Supervisor at Shell Haven Refinery. Ruth & Rab Suttill of Guildford, Surrey – 25 July. Rab retired from Shell Exploration & Production in 1974. Jean & Geoffrey Golding Diamond (60 Years) Irene & Walter James of Higher Bebington, 26 July. Walter worked at Stanlow in Operations for 31 years. Barbara & Reg Roberts of Dunfermline – 19 July. Reg worked for Shell International prior to retirement. Iris & Roland harriott of Rochester – 21 June. Roland worked in Shell Tankers UK for 31 years and was a former PLR. Irene & Walter James Terry & Douglas Sorensen of Sanderstead – 9 August. Douglas worked at Shell Mex House. Dorothy & George haddock of Ellesmere Port – 14 June. They first met in Woolworths – a week later she was asked for a dance at the Mersey Iron Works Club and the rest is history. George worked in the Laboratory at Thornton Research Centre for 25 years. Dorothy & George Haddock Golden (50 Years) cONGRATuLATIONS Pat & Les Turner of Costa Blanca – 7 July. Les worked for Shell Expro for 31 years. Mary & Charlie Cater of Effingham, Surrey – 7 July. Charlie was a tanker driver at Wandsworth Terminal for 18 years. Brenda & David Sullivan of Cheltenham – 14 July. Prior to retirement David worked at Gatwick Airport. 100 yEARS OLD Pat & Les Turner Muriel Gater celebrated her 100th birthday on 16 June with afternoon tea with family and friends at a local hotel, her card from the Queen never far away. Her PLR, Janet Woollett, gave her a planted rose tree for her courtyard garden. Muriel lives alone in Tenderden, Kent; she is an adult dependent of her late brother, Vernon Maw, who worked in SIPC for 40 years. SPA NEWS | 23
Page 1 and 2: ISSUE 160 AUTUMN 2012 OF TRUCKS AND
Page 3 and 4: 138 YEARS AND cOUNTINg … Andy Col
Page 5 and 6: In 1960, after five years in St Hel
Page 7 and 8: STAREhE FUTURE and givE AS yOU LivE
Page 9 and 10: WRiTE RULES 6: NO LAUgHINg MATTER..
Page 11 and 12: TiNA’S NEWS by Tina Gilchrist Sta
Page 13 and 14: Born in Newquay, Cornwall, in 1942,
Page 15 and 16: Claret Race Car Scottish haulier, C
Page 17 and 18: Wendy Garbutt “I was proud and in
Page 19 and 20: Bombay street - even more interesti
Page 21: DEEP SLEEP DEEEP SLEEEP DEEEEP SLEE
Page 25 and 26: FORTHcOMINg REUNIONS Agrichemical g
Page 27 and 28: ThE hyDRO hOTEL iN EASTbOURNE From
Page 29 and 30: NORTh LONDON & hERTS Robert Hillyar
Page 31 and 32: Jones, Peter (74) - Shell UK Oil -

SPA News Autumn 2012 - Shell UK

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