SUMMER 2015NUMBER 121
The quarterly Newsletter of the British Railways Board
Headquarters Retired Staff Association
(Affiliated to the British Transport Pensioners’ Federation)
Medstead and Four Marks station on the Watercress Line
(July outing for members – see Page 6)
MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD AT PADDINGTON
ON 17THAPRIL 2015
Present:Chairman: K.J. Watson
5 Officers and Committee Members
23 Members
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the AGMand to our new venue, the Network Rail Boardroom. We had had to move out of our old meeting rooms because of re-development and he hoped that this new venue would continue for some time.
- Minutes of the 2014 AGM held on 25th April 2014
The Minutes, which had been printed in ‘Outboard No. 117’, were agreed as a true record and signed. There were no matters arising.
- Committee’s Annual Report for 2014
The Secretary introduced the Annual Report which had been printed in the Spring2015 ‘Outboard’. He hoped everyone had read it and agreed that it reflected the year’s activities. There were no comments.
- Annual Accounts and Balance Sheet for 2014
The Treasurer presented the audited 2014Annual Accounts which had been published in the Spring2015 ‘Outboard’. In reviewing the Income and Expenditure Account he pointed out that the big increase in donations was due to the bequest from Arthur Cook. This had resulted in an annual profit of £647. On the Expenditure side, the increase in postage and printing costs reflected the cost of the Winter 2013 edition of ‘Outboard’ having been despatched and paid for in 2014. Interest was slightly up on the previous year, but the bond had subsequently matured in March 2015 and had had to be re-invested at a lower rate, but for only one year. The stock of ‘cheap’ stamps was almost exhausted at the year end. The Balance Sheet showed a healthy Net Value of £17,172.
(Continued)
MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING(Cont’d)
4.Elections
4.1Officers
All Officers of the Association were willing to accept nomination and, there being no other nominations, in accordance with Rule 4(a) the following were duly elected nem.con:-
Chairman/TreasurerK.J. Watson
Vice Chairman/Outdoor Activities SecretaryP.A. Blanthorn
SecretaryL.S. Windwood
Membership SecretaryMrs P.M. Watts
Welfare OfficerMrs I.Lemon
4.2Committee Members
The following Members of the Committee were willing to serve and were elected nem.con:- D.R.F. Fox, Miss G. Hosack and J.M. Taylor.
4.3Auditor
The Chairman thanked Trevor Rimmerfor auditing the Accounts and for being willing to continue as auditor. W.T. Rimmer was duly elected as Auditor.
5.British Transport Pensioners’ Federation
The BTPFAGM was held on 10th March. The Chairman, Les McDowell and Vice Chairman, John Harrison, had completed their three year terms of office and were both re-elected for a further three years. The Secretary, Lawrie Windwood, did not wish to continue and Roy Sheridan was elected in his place. The Membership Secretary, Tony Grove, had recently died and Mike Speagell was elected. The Treasurer, Chris Jago, was willing to continue and he was re-elected. Lawrie was unanimously elected as a Vice President of the BTPF in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Federation.
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MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING(Cont’d)
6.Pensions
Tony Cotgreave, as a member of the 1994 Pensioners Section Committee, was required to retire by rotation. He has been re-appointed for a further six years as the representative of the BTPF and RROS.
7.Travel Facilities
The latest information on travel is on Pages 16 and 17 of the Spring edition of Penfriend. The key items are shown below:-
(a)‘Priv’ rate paper tickets to TfL destinations can no longer be purchased at LUL ticket offices, but are available at National Rail stations. There have been problems at some stations, but RSTL have assured us that the facility does exist at all stations.
(b)Privilege Rate Oyster Cards are a good alternative and are available from TfL stations.
(c)Closure of LUL ticket offices – it is the intention to have closed the majority of LUL ticket offices by the end of 2015. LUL staff will be on hand to assist in obtaining a Privilege Rate Oyster Card and its annual re-validation.
(d)FIP tickets – from 1st April 2015, Deutsche Bahn UK ceased to be RSTL’s agent for managing the sale of FIP tickets and these are now provided by International Rail Ltd. Enquiries/bookings can be made on line at (not the website shown in Penfriend). There is a handling charge and telephone calls cost 10p a minute.
(e)Status passes – unless you have provided a photograph after 1st January 2013, a new photograph has to be sent to RSTL for the new pass to be issued in December.
8.Outdoor Activities
Peter Blanthorn reported that details of all events for the remainder of 2015 were in the latest edition of ‘Outboard’. Anyone wishing to attend, should contact David Brown or Gordon Burke as appropriate.
(Continued)
MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING(Cont’d)
9.Annual Lunch
Stan Bower reported that the lunch will be held on Tuesday 24th November at the usual venue – the Thistle Hotel, Euston. He would appreciate early bookings as total numbers help in discussion with the hotel. Payment is not required until ten days before the lunch.
10.Meeting Dates for 2016
It was agreed that meetings in 2016 will be on 29th January, 29th April, 29th July and 28th October.
11.Outboard
‘Outboard’ is a much welcomed newsletter and the Chairman expressed appreciation of the hard work of our editor, Ann Blakeman, in producing it. Ann would appreciate any photos and articles from members for inclusion in ‘Outboard’.
12.Next Meeting
The next meeting will be on Friday 31stJuly 2015 at 13.30hrs in the Network Rail Boardroom, Paddington – located to the right of ‘The Mad Bishop Bear’ pub above the Lawn. The Agenda will be:
- ‘The Heroic Age in McMurdo Sound’- anillustrated talk by John Hobson.
- Minutes of the General Meeting dated 30th January 2015
(‘Outboard No. 120’)
- Minutes of the AGM dated 17th April 2015, to be noted (see this ‘Outboard’)
- Matters arising
- Reports on BTPF, Pensions, Travel, NPC
- Outdoor Activities, Annual Lunch
- Any Other Business
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OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Programme for the remainder of 2015
Places are still available on all the following outings:-
July 16Hampton Court Palace
July 22Mid-Hants Railway
August 12Blenheim Palace
September 9Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher
October 15Apsley House, London
November 26Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery, Laverstoke
Hampton Court Palace
A visit has been arranged to the above for Thursday 16th July 2015. When he died in 1547, Henry VIII had more than sixty houses but in the second half of his reign none were more important to him, nor more sumptuously decorated, than Hampton Court Palace. By the time Henry finished his building works in about 1540, the palace was one of the most modern, sophisticated and magnificent in England.
There are trains to Hampton Court from Waterloo and Clapham Junction. Members should meet at 11.00hrs. The Group Rate for 15 or more is £12.75 or if less than 15 in the group the rate is £15.40.
To book a place or for more information please contact Gordon Burke by phone on 01323 894439 or by Email to .
Mid-Hants Railway
An outing is planned for Wednesday 22nd July 2015to the ‘Watercress Line’, which runs for ten miles along the northern border of the Hampshire South Downs National Park, between the towns of New Alresford to the west and Alton to the east. To book a place or for more information please contact David Brown by phone on 01256 320474 or by Email .
(Continued)
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES (Cont’d)
Blenheim Palace
A visit has been arranged to the above for Wednesday 12th August 2015. Home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace is a true masterpiece of 18th Century Baroque architecture. Discover the beauty of this World Heritage Site amongst over 2,000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown parkland and formal gardens.
Travel by train to Oxford and then a thirty minute bus journey to the gates of Blenheim Palace. The entrance fee for groups is £12.00 per person.
To book a place or for more information please contact Gordon Burke by phone on 01323 894439 or by Email to .
Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher
A visit has been arranged to the above for Wednesday 9th September 2015. Steeped in nearly 300 years of history, this eighteenth century garden is a green oasis in the heart of Surrey. Many of the great names in garden history played a part in the creation and development of the estate. Over the years, Sir John Vanbrugh, Charles Bridgeman, William Kent and ‘Capability’ Brown all put their own distinctive stamp on the pleasure grounds, which were part of the foremost royal residence in the country. Today there are still many unique and unexpected features to discover, including the large turf amphitheatre, serpentine lake, grotto, Camellia Terrace and Belvedere Tower.
Members should meet at the Garden Ticket Office at 10.30hrs. Admission charge is £7.70 – free for National Trust members.
To book a place or for more information please contact Gordon Burke by phone on 01323 894439 or by Email to .
(Continued)
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES (Cont’d)
Apsley House, London
Addresses don’t come much grander than 'Number One London', the popular name for Apsley House, which we will be visiting on Thursday 15th October 2015. Home to the Duke of Wellington after his victory over Napoleon at Waterloo, the interior of the house has changed verylittle since the days of the Iron Duke. It boasts one of the finest art collections in London, with paintings by Velazquez and Rubens as well as a wonderful collection of silver and porcelain.
It is situated half a mile from Victoria or Hyde Park Corner tube stations. Members should meet at the ticket office at 11.00hrs. The admission charge is £6.90.
To book a place or for more information please contact Gordon Burke by phone on 01323 894439 or by Email to .
Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery, Laverstoke
A visit has been arranged to the above for Thursday 26th November 2015. The distillery is situated at Laverstoke Mill (between Basingstoke and Whitchurch) which was, for three hundred years, a paper mill.
To book a place or for more information please contact David Brown by phone on 01256 320474 or by Email .
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ANNUAL LUNCH
Successful negotiations with the management of the Thistle Hotel, Euston have now been concluded and we have been assured of another gathering in pleasant surroundings on Tuesday 24th November. Due to our dwindling numbers it is not possible this year to dine in our usual room, but have been offered an alternative - the Canterbury Room. Otherwise the familiar arrangements will apply, with a get together in the hotel bar from 12.00hrs for pre-lunch drinks and meeting up with former colleagues and friends. Lunch will be served at 13.00hrs. The cost of the meal remains at £28.50 per person, which is excellent value. The choice of menu is:-
StartersRoasted Butternut Squash and Rosemary Soup with drizzle oil or
Game and Venison Terrine, bean salad, toasted and shallot dressing or
Prawn and Avocado Salad in cocktail sauce
Main CoursesTurkey Paupiette with its trimmings, roast potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce or
Pan Fried Salmon, creamed salsify, parisienne potatoes and chive sauce or
Pumpkin and Wild Mushroom Mezzaluna in basil and tomato sauce, rocket and parmesan salad
DessertsChristmas Pudding with brandy sauce or
Dark Chocolate Tart with wild berry coulis and orange clotted cream or
Sticky Toffee Pudding with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream
To FinishEnglish tea or Italian coffee and mini mince pies
It would be most helpful if anyone wishing to attend this festive occasion would contact Stan Bower, by telephone on 01442 833056,by Email to or by letter to 11 Green View Close, Bovingdon, HemelHempstead, Herts HP3 0LE and advise any seating arrangements. There is no need to make any payment at this time or give menu preferences, this can be done after the October meeting.
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ANNUAL HOLIDAY 2015
Thanks to Peter Blanthorn for the following:
We stayed at Wortley Hall (above), which was originally the ancestral home of the Earls of Wharncliffe. The present house and grounds were commissioned and rebuilt by Edward Wortley in the early 1800s. His two cousins built the larger Wortley Castle and the even bigger Wentworth Woodhouse, which has the longest frontage of any house in Europe. We visited these three places plus the hill top castle at Castleton, which is situated in very spectacular countryside in the Peak District National Park and then went deep underground at a coal mine, Caphouse Colliery, on the western edge of the Yorkshire coalfield.
We had good weather throughout the week, apart from some strong winds for the first couple of days. The food was good and the accommodation and coach were very comfortable.
Wortley Hall Gardens
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MODERN STATION ART
Thanks to Stan Bower for the following:
Stan took this photo “many moons ago” whilst waiting for a train at Barnsley railway station. The silhouettes depict people and pets waiting for a train. Intrigued, I ‘googled’ for more information and came across this photo which shows an alternate view of the sculpture.
MODERN STATION ART (Cont’d)
It is described as being ‘A metal dragon as seen on Platform 1 at Barnsley railway station.’ The background on the two photos is different – surely there aren’t two dragons breathing fire in Barnsley?! Perhaps one of our members can enlighten me.
I would be interested in receiving any other examples of ‘Modern Art’ that members might have come across on their travels round the railway system. Contact details are Mrs. A. Blakeman (Outboard Newsletter), 60 Ridgeway West, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 7LG or by Email to .
Editor
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DONATIONS
The receipt of donations towards the printing and distribution costs of ‘Outboard’ is gratefully acknowledged from the following members:
Mr. D. Hartley
Mr. R. Lowe
Mr.G. Summerfield
Mrs.L. Winson
Donations (cheques payable to BRB HQ RSA) should be sent to the Treasurer Mr. K.J. Watson, 16 Castle Hill, Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 1HE (Phone: 01442 878242, Email: ).
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BIRTHDAY CORNER
If any members would like their birthdays mentioned in this spot please let the Membership Secretary know (see ‘Membership Matters’).
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DECEASED MEMBERS
We regret to advise the deaths of the following members:
Mrs. W.M. Evans of Oxhey
Mr. G.Jackson of Wirksworth
Mr. F.G. Roperof St. Annes on Sea
Mr. D.V. Tysoe of Rochford
Please spare a thought in memory of our friends and colleagues who are no longer with us.
In the sad event of a member’s demise it would be of assistance if the next of kin, a family member or colleague advised the Membership Secretary (see ‘Membership Matters’). It is mistakenly thought by some members that if the Pensions Office at Darlington is notified we will be automatically advised but this is not the case. Widows or widowers of deceased members are very welcome to join the Association for a small fee. They will then receive ‘Outboard’ and can attend meetings and join in the Social Activities.
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‘LOST’ MEMBERS
The copy of ‘Outboard’ addressed to Mrs. V. Acres of Grayshot has been returned by the Post Office marked ‘Gone Away’ and the copy emailed to Mr. G. Walters of Horsham has ‘bounced’. If anyone knows of their whereabouts would they please contact the Membership Secretary (see ‘Membership Matters’).
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MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
Change of address, membership correspondence and subscriptions (cheques payable to BRB HQ RSA) should be sent to the Membership Secretary Mrs. P.M. Watts, 14 Liphook Crescent, Forest Hill, London SE23 3BW. Polly can also be contacted by phone on 020 8699 2695 or by Email to .
(Continued)
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS (Cont’d)
As a check that our membership address file is up to date it would be appreciated if members would kindly check that all the details on the label of the envelope for this issue of ‘Outboard’ are correct.
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SECRETARIAL MATTERS
General and Meetings correspondence should be sent to the Honorary Secretary Mr. L.S. Windwood, 2 North Heath Lane, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 5AH (phone: 01403 268325).
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FINANCIAL MATTERS
Our Treasurer is Mr. K.J. Watson, 16 Castle Hill, Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 1HE (Phone: 01442 878242, Email:). Please note that all cheques should be made payable to BRB HQ RSA.
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WELFARE MATTERS
Our Welfare Officer is Mrs. I. Lemon, 49 Rugby Road, Kingsbury, LondonNW9 9LA. Iris can be contacted byphone on 020 82043197 or by Email to .
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BTPF WEBSITE
The address of the BTPF website is
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OUTBOARD BY EMAIL
In order to reduce the postage cost in sending out ‘Outboard’ we would like to encourage more members to receive the newsletter by Email. It will be sent in A4 format, usually comprising 12 pages but sometimes 8 or 16 pages. Receipt of ‘Outboard’ by Email also gives members the opportunity to see any pictures in colour. Email addresses will only be used to send ‘Outboard’ and will not be disclosed or sold to anyone else.
Will any member interested in receiving ‘Outboard’ by Email please contact our Membership Secretary (see ‘Membership Matters’).
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