Pensioners’ Newsletter – June 2023
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News from the South
Since the last Newsletter there has been very changeable weather, although it is fair to say that Luton and the surrounding area does not usually suffer from extreme cold or heat. I write this with the name Michael Fish springing to mind. Enough said!
Elsewhere in this Newsletter there is an article covering what the Committee has decided to do to celebrate our 75 years anniversary. In the name of the VPA we are planning to donate £750 to each of 10 selected charities after a democratic vote by your Committee members. We will cover this in a future edition of the Newsletter.
As we are approaching the holiday season may I wish those of you doing so enjoy yourselves wherever you are going. Until the next time stay healthy and lucky.
Norman McGregor
Since the last Newsletter there has been very changeable weather, although it is fair to say that Luton and the surrounding area does not usually suffer from extreme cold or heat. I write this with the name Michael Fish springing to mind. Enough said!
Elsewhere in this Newsletter there is an article covering what the Committee has decided to do to celebrate our 75 years anniversary. In the name of the VPA we are planning to donate £750 to each of 10 selected charities after a democratic vote by your Committee members. We will cover this in a future edition of the Newsletter.
As we are approaching the holiday season may I wish those of you doing so enjoy yourselves wherever you are going. Until the next time stay healthy and lucky.
Norman McGregor
News from the North
Hi folks: This month I must start with some sad news. Many of you will remember Bill and Hilda Dobson - Bill was a long time Committee member who died several years ago. Hilda, although not attending the Club, enjoyed several of our holidays with us, the last one being our Turkey and Tinsel last December when although poorly, looked very well. Sadly she has died and her funeral will be on June 12 at 10:00 am at St Saviours, Great Sutton.
On a happier note I am pleased to report that our trip to Bournemouth was a great success. Despite travelling down through floods the days we were away we were treated to beautiful hot sunny weather. The hotel was superb, good food, entertainment and lovely caring staff. Some of us made full use of the pool and the jacuzzi. We had a lovely day out in Salisbury and Lyndhurst and a second day in Weymouth and Swanage. Our driver, Will, was caring and thoughtful, dropping us off so that those with limited mobility didn’t have long distances to walk. Our visit to Swanage was in place of Westbay, which unfortunately had had a cliff slide due to the heavy rain. On our free day some ventured to Poole on the bus, some to Christchurch and some stayed in Bournemouth. The beaches were packed with people enjoying the hot weather. After the beach we returned to the hotel taking a walk through the beautiful gardens. All in all a great time with friendly companionship enjoyed I think by all.
On the subject of holidays we still have a few rooms left on the Turkey and Tinsel trip to Tenby in December. We hopefully will be looking to
book a spring holiday for 2025, so keep a look out in the Newsletter.
April’s social was well supported and our singer was very good. Unfortunately the May social was not so busy, but I guess people were away on holiday so they missed a very good female singer.
On May 30 46 of us set forth for the Stumble Inn on the Welsh borders at a place I can neither pronounce nor spell. En route we stopped off at Percy Thrower’s garden centre near Shrewsbury for coffee and a mooch round. Then it was off to the pub for lunch. It was a roast dinner and the nearest to home cooked I have had. The staff were lovely and it was good to sit and relax and chat with people we don’t always have time to chat to at the social. Many of us came away armed with fresh eggs from the hens in the garden and then it was a slow drive home arriving at teatime. Altogether a lovely day out when even the sun obliged.
For all those going on holiday (or not) I hope the beautiful weather last week was not our summer and the rain stops and the sunshine returns.
So until next time take care.
Dave Williams
Hi folks: This month I must start with some sad news. Many of you will remember Bill and Hilda Dobson - Bill was a long time Committee member who died several years ago. Hilda, although not attending the Club, enjoyed several of our holidays with us, the last one being our Turkey and Tinsel last December when although poorly, looked very well. Sadly she has died and her funeral will be on June 12 at 10:00 am at St Saviours, Great Sutton.
On a happier note I am pleased to report that our trip to Bournemouth was a great success. Despite travelling down through floods the days we were away we were treated to beautiful hot sunny weather. The hotel was superb, good food, entertainment and lovely caring staff. Some of us made full use of the pool and the jacuzzi. We had a lovely day out in Salisbury and Lyndhurst and a second day in Weymouth and Swanage. Our driver, Will, was caring and thoughtful, dropping us off so that those with limited mobility didn’t have long distances to walk. Our visit to Swanage was in place of Westbay, which unfortunately had had a cliff slide due to the heavy rain. On our free day some ventured to Poole on the bus, some to Christchurch and some stayed in Bournemouth. The beaches were packed with people enjoying the hot weather. After the beach we returned to the hotel taking a walk through the beautiful gardens. All in all a great time with friendly companionship enjoyed I think by all.
On the subject of holidays we still have a few rooms left on the Turkey and Tinsel trip to Tenby in December. We hopefully will be looking to
book a spring holiday for 2025, so keep a look out in the Newsletter.
April’s social was well supported and our singer was very good. Unfortunately the May social was not so busy, but I guess people were away on holiday so they missed a very good female singer.
On May 30 46 of us set forth for the Stumble Inn on the Welsh borders at a place I can neither pronounce nor spell. En route we stopped off at Percy Thrower’s garden centre near Shrewsbury for coffee and a mooch round. Then it was off to the pub for lunch. It was a roast dinner and the nearest to home cooked I have had. The staff were lovely and it was good to sit and relax and chat with people we don’t always have time to chat to at the social. Many of us came away armed with fresh eggs from the hens in the garden and then it was a slow drive home arriving at teatime. Altogether a lovely day out when even the sun obliged.
For all those going on holiday (or not) I hope the beautiful weather last week was not our summer and the rain stops and the sunshine returns.
So until next time take care.
Dave Williams
George Taylor
George Taylor, who had been a member of the VPA Executive Committee for many years,
announced that he would be standing down from the VPA Committee in April.
George had also been a Trustee of the Pension Funds for a number of years. In this role, he had used his considerable negotiating experience to bring forward the changes to the Plans which were covered at the March AGM. This had taken a great deal of personal time and energy and the VPA were very grateful to George for his efforts on behalf of us all.
George Taylor, who had been a member of the VPA Executive Committee for many years,
announced that he would be standing down from the VPA Committee in April.
George had also been a Trustee of the Pension Funds for a number of years. In this role, he had used his considerable negotiating experience to bring forward the changes to the Plans which were covered at the March AGM. This had taken a great deal of personal time and energy and the VPA were very grateful to George for his efforts on behalf of us all.
EMPOLO Registration Now Extended
It has recently become obvious that some pensioners have not received the August 2023 communication regarding the changes to the Retirees Car Plan which gave a deadline of the end of December 2023 to register on the new EMPOLO plan.
It was announced at the AGM held on Tuesday, March 19 that this date has now been extended until June 30, 2024, so if you, or if you are aware of anyone who has unfortunately been overlooked and wishes to re-join and, therefore, needs to register, please telephone Employee Fleet on 0151 350 3250 or email on [email protected]
It has recently become obvious that some pensioners have not received the August 2023 communication regarding the changes to the Retirees Car Plan which gave a deadline of the end of December 2023 to register on the new EMPOLO plan.
It was announced at the AGM held on Tuesday, March 19 that this date has now been extended until June 30, 2024, so if you, or if you are aware of anyone who has unfortunately been overlooked and wishes to re-join and, therefore, needs to register, please telephone Employee Fleet on 0151 350 3250 or email on [email protected]
Employee Fleet Cars Mileage
An email was recently received by Jean Skipp from Employee Fleet stating:
“It appears you have not yet ordered a replacement vehicle for your NCPER vehicle.
If you wish to remain on the scheme you are required to make a replacement order without further delay. If it is your intention to leave the NCPER scheme and return or purchase your current vehicle, please advise so we can make the necessary arrangements”
I was surprised and got in touch with them to ask if they still sent out reminders to order vehicles. I was told that I was supposed to log into EMPOLO regularly where I would see a red and green ‘traffic light’ and where I was supposed to record my mileage on a monthly basis.
I did not know anything about this. The young lady I spoke to said I would have been told this when I picked up my current vehicle on 31st March 2023, which I was not and I have not seen anything in writing since. EMPOLO did not exist when I collected my current car.
Apparently this information is in the Handbook which can be found on EMPOLO under the HELP section which holds information regarding the requirements for re-ordering.
Sharing this with our readers just in case others are not aware that you now have to send in your mileage each month.
An email was recently received by Jean Skipp from Employee Fleet stating:
“It appears you have not yet ordered a replacement vehicle for your NCPER vehicle.
If you wish to remain on the scheme you are required to make a replacement order without further delay. If it is your intention to leave the NCPER scheme and return or purchase your current vehicle, please advise so we can make the necessary arrangements”
I was surprised and got in touch with them to ask if they still sent out reminders to order vehicles. I was told that I was supposed to log into EMPOLO regularly where I would see a red and green ‘traffic light’ and where I was supposed to record my mileage on a monthly basis.
I did not know anything about this. The young lady I spoke to said I would have been told this when I picked up my current vehicle on 31st March 2023, which I was not and I have not seen anything in writing since. EMPOLO did not exist when I collected my current car.
Apparently this information is in the Handbook which can be found on EMPOLO under the HELP section which holds information regarding the requirements for re-ordering.
Sharing this with our readers just in case others are not aware that you now have to send in your mileage each month.
VPA Office
Most of you will remember that the VPA had an office located in Griffin House, but had to move out when the building was vacated prior to its sale. It was planned to move to an office within the Plant, but this never materialised.
Our Secretary, Dave Linney and Sylvia Pemberton, who organises our trips, have been working from home since leaving Griffin House and are now very happy to continue to do so. Contact details for both of them are shown at the end of this Newsletter.
Most of you will remember that the VPA had an office located in Griffin House, but had to move out when the building was vacated prior to its sale. It was planned to move to an office within the Plant, but this never materialised.
Our Secretary, Dave Linney and Sylvia Pemberton, who organises our trips, have been working from home since leaving Griffin House and are now very happy to continue to do so. Contact details for both of them are shown at the end of this Newsletter.
Pensioners Rules of Living
Do not hold back from talking to yourself - sometimes you need expert advice.
Our in style clothes are those that fit.
We do not need anger management classes. We only require that people stop irritating us.
We do not need to write anything down because we always remember everything!
Our general people skills are fine, but we do need to work on our tolerance of idiots.
On time is usually when we arrive.
We wish we could put ourselves in the drier and come out wrinkle free and three times smaller.
We think that people of the same age look older than we do.
The process of growing old should have taken longer.
Ageing has slowed us down, but not shut us up.
We still need to learn to act our age.
"One for the road" now means having a pee before going on a journey.
Do not hold back from talking to yourself - sometimes you need expert advice.
Our in style clothes are those that fit.
We do not need anger management classes. We only require that people stop irritating us.
We do not need to write anything down because we always remember everything!
Our general people skills are fine, but we do need to work on our tolerance of idiots.
On time is usually when we arrive.
We wish we could put ourselves in the drier and come out wrinkle free and three times smaller.
We think that people of the same age look older than we do.
The process of growing old should have taken longer.
Ageing has slowed us down, but not shut us up.
We still need to learn to act our age.
"One for the road" now means having a pee before going on a journey.
Seniors Blue Book
Getting older is an inevitable part of life. It’s something that we all must face, and although it has its challenges, it also has its perks. Here are some interesting facts about getting older:
Age is just a number. While it’s true that your body may not be able to do everything it once could, getting older is not a reflection of your ability to enjoy life to the fullest.
Your brain is getting sharper. Contrary to popular belief, your ability to learn, process information, and think critically actually improves with age.
You’re more resilient than you think. Studies have shown that older people are often more adept at dealing with stress and handling challenge.
You’re less likely to indulge in risky behaviours. As you get older, you become less likely to engage in risky behaviours like drinking too much alcohol, smoking, or driving too fast.
You become more financially stable. Many people find that as they get older, their financial situation becomes more stable, allowing them to enjoy their retirement years.
Your taste buds change. Your taste buds become less sensitive as you age, which can actually make certain foods taste better.
You may have more health problems. Unfortunately, as you get older, you are more likely to develop chronic health conditions like arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other conditions.
You have more time for hobbies and interests. As you retire or work less, you will likely have more time to pursue hobbies and interests that you may not have had time for earlier in life.
You may need less sleep. As you age, you may find that you need less sleep to feel rested, which can free up more time for other activities.
You’re wiser. With age comes wisdom, which can help you navigate life’s ups and downs with greater ease.
Overall, getting older can be a mixed bag of experiences, but there are certainly many advantages to growing older. You should cherish the years you have and make the most of them.
Getting older is an inevitable part of life. It’s something that we all must face, and although it has its challenges, it also has its perks. Here are some interesting facts about getting older:
Age is just a number. While it’s true that your body may not be able to do everything it once could, getting older is not a reflection of your ability to enjoy life to the fullest.
Your brain is getting sharper. Contrary to popular belief, your ability to learn, process information, and think critically actually improves with age.
You’re more resilient than you think. Studies have shown that older people are often more adept at dealing with stress and handling challenge.
You’re less likely to indulge in risky behaviours. As you get older, you become less likely to engage in risky behaviours like drinking too much alcohol, smoking, or driving too fast.
You become more financially stable. Many people find that as they get older, their financial situation becomes more stable, allowing them to enjoy their retirement years.
Your taste buds change. Your taste buds become less sensitive as you age, which can actually make certain foods taste better.
You may have more health problems. Unfortunately, as you get older, you are more likely to develop chronic health conditions like arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other conditions.
You have more time for hobbies and interests. As you retire or work less, you will likely have more time to pursue hobbies and interests that you may not have had time for earlier in life.
You may need less sleep. As you age, you may find that you need less sleep to feel rested, which can free up more time for other activities.
You’re wiser. With age comes wisdom, which can help you navigate life’s ups and downs with greater ease.
Overall, getting older can be a mixed bag of experiences, but there are certainly many advantages to growing older. You should cherish the years you have and make the most of them.
Trip Reports
Thursday, May 9 - Huntingdon Horse Racing
A smaller than usual group (27 people only) spent a glorious afternoon enjoying the sunny weather and fine horse racing at Huntingdon. As is always the case some people backed winners and others could only find losers. The only sure fire certainty was that the bookies went home in profit! Nevertheless a good day was had by all, so usual thanks go to Sylvia, Dave and Andy the coach driver.
Thursday, May 16 -Watercress Line Steam Train, Hants
An almost full coach left Luton at 10:00 am in overcast weather and arrived at our destination at around 12:30 pm. We stopped at Winchester Services for a comfort and coffee break, by which time the weather had improved significantly. Our train left Alresford (Hampshire) on schedule at 1:00 pm (clearly a heritage line and not British Rail), reaching Alton where we stopped for lunch. The meal comprised of a ploughman’s lunch which included, by common consensus, the biggest wedge of cheese most had ever seen. It was very tasty however. Dessert was a slice of lemon tart followed by tea or coffee.
Leaving Alton we returned to Alresford arriving on schedule at 3:40 pm again on schedule. We re-joined the coach and after enduring the car park that is known as the M25 arrived back in Luton at 6:00 pm. A really good day out and thanks to the usual crew for making it happen.
A smaller than usual group (27 people only) spent a glorious afternoon enjoying the sunny weather and fine horse racing at Huntingdon. As is always the case some people backed winners and others could only find losers. The only sure fire certainty was that the bookies went home in profit! Nevertheless a good day was had by all, so usual thanks go to Sylvia, Dave and Andy the coach driver.
Thursday, May 16 -Watercress Line Steam Train, Hants
An almost full coach left Luton at 10:00 am in overcast weather and arrived at our destination at around 12:30 pm. We stopped at Winchester Services for a comfort and coffee break, by which time the weather had improved significantly. Our train left Alresford (Hampshire) on schedule at 1:00 pm (clearly a heritage line and not British Rail), reaching Alton where we stopped for lunch. The meal comprised of a ploughman’s lunch which included, by common consensus, the biggest wedge of cheese most had ever seen. It was very tasty however. Dessert was a slice of lemon tart followed by tea or coffee.
Leaving Alton we returned to Alresford arriving on schedule at 3:40 pm again on schedule. We re-joined the coach and after enduring the car park that is known as the M25 arrived back in Luton at 6:00 pm. A really good day out and thanks to the usual crew for making it happen.
Thursday, May 16 - Golf – Texas Scramble
As is tradition the first VPA golf event of the year was the Texas Scramble event which was played at the tricky, well-maintained Abbey Hill Golf Club in Milton Keynes. Although the weather was rather dull the golf was anything but, as the competition was extremely close. There were less than two golf shots between the first, second and third placed teams. The winners of the coveted Steve Brooker Cup with an excellent 61.1 score were short handicapper Paul Davies with Chris Cleary, Roger Deane and the effervescent Lou Chadwick. The second team with another very close and creditable score of 61.3 was Alan Everitt, Jim Heaney, Martin Redmond and Alan Smith. The third placed team was John Bailey, Peter Johnson, Alan Currington and George Chalmers who attained a score of 63.0.
The nearest to the pin prizes for the short and tricky 8th and 17th par 3 holes were respectively won by the recently re-incarnated Alan Everett and the ex-IBC employee Martin Redmond.
As normal the general standard of golf for the 24 veteran golfers was extremely high with all of the four-man teams managing to get round in gross par for the course, or several strokes under.
After the highly competitive game the VPA golfers adjourned to the nineteenth hole to seek shelter and participate in a lively ‘josh and two course nosh’ session prior to departing from the golf complex with ‘prizes galore’, or licking their wounds and with many thoughts of ‘what could have been!’
For those golfers who have a life given over to unadulterated recreation and leisure the next VPA golf day is for the Singles Championship which will be held at the Stockwood Park Golf Club on Tuesday, June 25. The other 2024 VPA golf days are scheduled for Thursday, August 5 at Harpenden Common for a team event and Tuesday, September 17 for the Pairs Competition at the Aylesbury Vale Golf Club.
All registered players will be sent entry forms by email and should any other VPA Club golfer wish to join in these events the contact is Mike Roberts [email protected]
As is tradition the first VPA golf event of the year was the Texas Scramble event which was played at the tricky, well-maintained Abbey Hill Golf Club in Milton Keynes. Although the weather was rather dull the golf was anything but, as the competition was extremely close. There were less than two golf shots between the first, second and third placed teams. The winners of the coveted Steve Brooker Cup with an excellent 61.1 score were short handicapper Paul Davies with Chris Cleary, Roger Deane and the effervescent Lou Chadwick. The second team with another very close and creditable score of 61.3 was Alan Everitt, Jim Heaney, Martin Redmond and Alan Smith. The third placed team was John Bailey, Peter Johnson, Alan Currington and George Chalmers who attained a score of 63.0.
The nearest to the pin prizes for the short and tricky 8th and 17th par 3 holes were respectively won by the recently re-incarnated Alan Everett and the ex-IBC employee Martin Redmond.
As normal the general standard of golf for the 24 veteran golfers was extremely high with all of the four-man teams managing to get round in gross par for the course, or several strokes under.
After the highly competitive game the VPA golfers adjourned to the nineteenth hole to seek shelter and participate in a lively ‘josh and two course nosh’ session prior to departing from the golf complex with ‘prizes galore’, or licking their wounds and with many thoughts of ‘what could have been!’
For those golfers who have a life given over to unadulterated recreation and leisure the next VPA golf day is for the Singles Championship which will be held at the Stockwood Park Golf Club on Tuesday, June 25. The other 2024 VPA golf days are scheduled for Thursday, August 5 at Harpenden Common for a team event and Tuesday, September 17 for the Pairs Competition at the Aylesbury Vale Golf Club.
All registered players will be sent entry forms by email and should any other VPA Club golfer wish to join in these events the contact is Mike Roberts [email protected]
June Quiz
The theme this issue is Celebrities. 1 Which pop group did Geri Halliwell leave in Spring 1998? 2 Which London store did Mohammed Al-Fayed buy in 1985? 3 Who was engaged to Michael Hutchence at the time of his death? 4 Who heads up the Virgin group? 5 Which Tory politician did Ffion Jenkins marry? 6 Which rockstar did Jerry Hall marry in 1990? 7 Ulrika Jonsson was born in which country? 8 Who founded the London nightclub Stringfellows? 9 Which royal was Lord Snowdon married to? 10 What held Liz Hurley's dress together? 11Which cook is associated with Norwich City football club? 12 Which cosmetics shop chain did Anita Roddick establish? 13 What sport did the then husband of Jemima Khan play? 14 What was the christian name of politician and author Lord Archer? 15 What nightclub was named after Lady Annabel Goldsmith? 16 What does John Galliano design? 17 Who was the husband of Cherie Booth QC? 18 What is the show business persona of the late Caroline Aherne? 19 Who left husband Peter Powell for Grant Bovet in 1998? 20 Which radio DJ had his own company, Ginger Productions? |
April Quiz answers
1 Humbugs 2 Gobstoppers 3 Murray Mints 4 Love Hearts 5 Jelly Babies 6 Smarties 7 Fruit Pastilles 8 Pear Drops 9 Mintoes 10 Sherbert Lemons 11 Jelly Beans 12 Mint Balls 13 Lollipops 14 Mint Imperials 15 Peppermints 16 Everton Mints 17 Trebor Mints 18 Acid Drops 19 Fondants 20 Chocolate Limes 21 Marshmallows 22 Polo Mints |
If you have a story you would like to tell, then please get in touch with the newsletter editor Norman McGregor via email: [email protected]
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