Pensioners’ Newsletter – August 2026
|
To print the August Newsletter, download it here:
|
| ||
News from the South
Phew! I am writing this as the outside temperature is showing 34 degrees. It seems somewhat churlish to complain, given what is happening in France and Spain, but I cannot break the habits of a lifetime!
On other matters the recent trips have been well attended, and I am glad to report that bookings for those yet to occur are extremely pleasing. The Stockwood Park exhibition, extended until early August, is featured elsewhere but it has been a thumping success.
Well, nothing else to report so I will join my neighbours in a rain dance! Keep healthy and happy.
Norman McGregor
Phew! I am writing this as the outside temperature is showing 34 degrees. It seems somewhat churlish to complain, given what is happening in France and Spain, but I cannot break the habits of a lifetime!
On other matters the recent trips have been well attended, and I am glad to report that bookings for those yet to occur are extremely pleasing. The Stockwood Park exhibition, extended until early August, is featured elsewhere but it has been a thumping success.
Well, nothing else to report so I will join my neighbours in a rain dance! Keep healthy and happy.
Norman McGregor
News from the North
Holidays! More next month!
Alan Seymour
Holidays! More next month!
Alan Seymour
Toni and Aisha receiving a thank you gift from Nigel Smith
& David Kirke
Luton Made: Vauxhall
Stockwood Park
At our committee meeting on 28 July Toni and Aisha gave us feedback as to how the event unfurled. Rather than anything else they were invited to write the article below:
For those of you who are not familiar with our project, Luton Made: Vauxhall is a heritage project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, celebrating the history of Vauxhall Motors here in Luton.
Over 12 months, we worked with the local community to co-design an exhibition, which opened at Stockwood Discovery Centre in May this year. Along the way, we recorded oral histories, uncovered archive material, collected objects and memorabilia, and worked to make this heritage accessible to the public.
Our aim was to tell a different side of Vauxhall's story. Rather than focusing solely on the vehicles, we wanted to explore the people who built them and the community that grew around the factory.
Due to popular demand, the exhibition was extended until Sunday 9th August and welcomed more than 22,000 visitors in its first two opening months. Through oral histories, photographs, film and objects, it follows the many journeys’ people took into Vauxhall and explores the production line process, from pressed panels to finished vehicles. Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we were able to uncover previously untold stories, restore and digitise archive footage, and make historical material publicly accessible for the first time.
The Vauxhall Pensioners Association has been at the heart of the project from the very beginning with people generously sharing their memories of working at the plant, loaning photographs, objects and memorabilia, as well as offering invaluable knowledge, feedback and guidance throughout the research and curation process. Your first-hand experiences helped ensure the exhibition reflected the reality of life at Vauxhall and captured its history through the voices of those who lived it. We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who took part in our project for their generosity and continued support throughout the project.
Young people growing up in Luton today are the first generation not to have experienced Vauxhall as a working factory. Through the support of the Vauxhall Pensioners Association and our exhibition, we have been able to pass this history on, helping future generations understand the significance of the factory, the people who worked there, and the impact it had on the town.
We hope the success of the exhibition demonstrates the importance of preserving Luton’s industrial heritage and highlights the public appetite for these stories to continue being told. Although this project is coming to an end, we are already looking ahead. Our ambition is to secure further funding to continue exploring Luton’s industrial heritage and ensure these important stories continue to be shared.
Norman McGregor
Stockwood Park
At our committee meeting on 28 July Toni and Aisha gave us feedback as to how the event unfurled. Rather than anything else they were invited to write the article below:
For those of you who are not familiar with our project, Luton Made: Vauxhall is a heritage project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, celebrating the history of Vauxhall Motors here in Luton.
Over 12 months, we worked with the local community to co-design an exhibition, which opened at Stockwood Discovery Centre in May this year. Along the way, we recorded oral histories, uncovered archive material, collected objects and memorabilia, and worked to make this heritage accessible to the public.
Our aim was to tell a different side of Vauxhall's story. Rather than focusing solely on the vehicles, we wanted to explore the people who built them and the community that grew around the factory.
Due to popular demand, the exhibition was extended until Sunday 9th August and welcomed more than 22,000 visitors in its first two opening months. Through oral histories, photographs, film and objects, it follows the many journeys’ people took into Vauxhall and explores the production line process, from pressed panels to finished vehicles. Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we were able to uncover previously untold stories, restore and digitise archive footage, and make historical material publicly accessible for the first time.
The Vauxhall Pensioners Association has been at the heart of the project from the very beginning with people generously sharing their memories of working at the plant, loaning photographs, objects and memorabilia, as well as offering invaluable knowledge, feedback and guidance throughout the research and curation process. Your first-hand experiences helped ensure the exhibition reflected the reality of life at Vauxhall and captured its history through the voices of those who lived it. We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who took part in our project for their generosity and continued support throughout the project.
Young people growing up in Luton today are the first generation not to have experienced Vauxhall as a working factory. Through the support of the Vauxhall Pensioners Association and our exhibition, we have been able to pass this history on, helping future generations understand the significance of the factory, the people who worked there, and the impact it had on the town.
We hope the success of the exhibition demonstrates the importance of preserving Luton’s industrial heritage and highlights the public appetite for these stories to continue being told. Although this project is coming to an end, we are already looking ahead. Our ambition is to secure further funding to continue exploring Luton’s industrial heritage and ensure these important stories continue to be shared.
Norman McGregor
Tony Hunt
You may recall that we ran a feature giving a background to committee members. Since stopping there has been a few changes to our membership so it is thought appropriate to bring this feature back. Below you will find, in his own words, what you need to know about Tony Hunt.
“In 1971 I was working for London Transport as a guard, it was a lovely job with benefits. With my first wife we lived in a large flat in Dalston East London, and life seemed fine, then my wife got thinking that life could be a little better for us. She had seen an advert in the local paper that the Greater London Council was offering a brand-new house and a job at Vauxhall Motors. So, we went through the process and got a house just outside Luton. After moving I went to get the job at Vauxhall.
“Sorry” the Personnel Department said, “we don’t have a job for you.” John Ladyman went away to have another look and came back with “yes I have one vacancy.” I didn’t think this was for me, it was in the Heat Treatment Department, I had no choice but to take it.
The job was hot and dirty at times, but it did have benefits as regard overtime, etc. My first Foreman, Dave Bowen, was a great chap and when I retired, he was one of the managers in the Press Shop.
I stayed there until 1974 when I had a heart attack and was advised to get a lighter job if I could. I was in rehab with Roy Cullis, from there I had various jobs in AJ Block working with some lovely people then on to production control scheduling and finally the Press Shop, bringing in the steel ready for production runs. I was on the Staff Joint Office Committee for Tass union for many years and was also on the IBC Charity Committee.
I don’t know what I would be now if I had not made that initial change, but one thing is certain I would still be supporting my beloved West Ham United. It’s 76 years since I first went to see them, so as the song goes ‘you will never take the East End’ out of me.
People I must thank for my Vauxhall journey; Dave Bowen, Roy Cullis, Bill Brown, Roy Scanlan, Mike Rawson, Steve Howard, Peter Blanking, and all the wonderful crew of the Press Shop 2001.”
You may recall that we ran a feature giving a background to committee members. Since stopping there has been a few changes to our membership so it is thought appropriate to bring this feature back. Below you will find, in his own words, what you need to know about Tony Hunt.
“In 1971 I was working for London Transport as a guard, it was a lovely job with benefits. With my first wife we lived in a large flat in Dalston East London, and life seemed fine, then my wife got thinking that life could be a little better for us. She had seen an advert in the local paper that the Greater London Council was offering a brand-new house and a job at Vauxhall Motors. So, we went through the process and got a house just outside Luton. After moving I went to get the job at Vauxhall.
“Sorry” the Personnel Department said, “we don’t have a job for you.” John Ladyman went away to have another look and came back with “yes I have one vacancy.” I didn’t think this was for me, it was in the Heat Treatment Department, I had no choice but to take it.
The job was hot and dirty at times, but it did have benefits as regard overtime, etc. My first Foreman, Dave Bowen, was a great chap and when I retired, he was one of the managers in the Press Shop.
I stayed there until 1974 when I had a heart attack and was advised to get a lighter job if I could. I was in rehab with Roy Cullis, from there I had various jobs in AJ Block working with some lovely people then on to production control scheduling and finally the Press Shop, bringing in the steel ready for production runs. I was on the Staff Joint Office Committee for Tass union for many years and was also on the IBC Charity Committee.
I don’t know what I would be now if I had not made that initial change, but one thing is certain I would still be supporting my beloved West Ham United. It’s 76 years since I first went to see them, so as the song goes ‘you will never take the East End’ out of me.
People I must thank for my Vauxhall journey; Dave Bowen, Roy Cullis, Bill Brown, Roy Scanlan, Mike Rawson, Steve Howard, Peter Blanking, and all the wonderful crew of the Press Shop 2001.”
Instagram
You can now find us on Instagram on the address below;
www.instagram.com/vauxhall_pensioners_asso
You can now find us on Instagram on the address below;
www.instagram.com/vauxhall_pensioners_asso
Mike Roberts (Organiser) & Jim Heaney (trophy winner)
Thursday, June 18 – Singles Championship at Harpenden Common Golf Club
The Golfing God’s not only arranged to bless the Harpenden Common Golf Club with warm and sunny weather conditions they also proved that they move in mysterious ways.
The ideal golf conditions were sufficient however, for Jim Heaney to be a runaway winner for the VPA Singles Championship with a huge margin of nine points was a tale of the unexpected…
Jim scorched around the tricky eighteen-hole golf course with a Stableford score of 46 points which is a record for this competition. In second place was short handicapper Paul Davies who played exceptionally well to score 37 points. In third place was newcomer to the group Bob Ferguson with 35 points, and in fourth place with 34 points was Alan Currington.
The nearest to the pin prizes were closely contested, and event winner Jim Heaney won the short 135-yard 5th hole, whilst Alan Currington won the difficult 147-yard 18th hole.
After the game, the fourteen sun tanned players adjourned to the nineteenth hole to rehydrate, share time with ex-work colleagues and to enjoy a late lunch, followed by the Prize presentation of the IBC trophy.
The Golfing God’s not only arranged to bless the Harpenden Common Golf Club with warm and sunny weather conditions they also proved that they move in mysterious ways.
The ideal golf conditions were sufficient however, for Jim Heaney to be a runaway winner for the VPA Singles Championship with a huge margin of nine points was a tale of the unexpected…
Jim scorched around the tricky eighteen-hole golf course with a Stableford score of 46 points which is a record for this competition. In second place was short handicapper Paul Davies who played exceptionally well to score 37 points. In third place was newcomer to the group Bob Ferguson with 35 points, and in fourth place with 34 points was Alan Currington.
The nearest to the pin prizes were closely contested, and event winner Jim Heaney won the short 135-yard 5th hole, whilst Alan Currington won the difficult 147-yard 18th hole.
After the game, the fourteen sun tanned players adjourned to the nineteenth hole to rehydrate, share time with ex-work colleagues and to enjoy a late lunch, followed by the Prize presentation of the IBC trophy.
Thursday, June 4 – Seaside visit to Wells-next-the-Sea
37 VPA members set off from Luton heading for the seaside Wells-next-the-Sea. It was a sunny, although a little windy, day, with the opportunity for fish and chips, or an ice cream.
Everyone had a great time, a big thankyou to Jane and Dave for organising it and Andy our driver.
Friday, June 19 – Blenheim Palace Flower Show
48 VPA members set off from Luton on a beautiful sunny day for a trip to the Blenheim Palace Flower Show.
Thursday, July 2 – Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style
30 VPA members set off from Luton on a beautiful sunny day before stopping for a carvery lunch. They then headed to the Kings Gallery in London; where on show were all of Queen Elizabeth II's outfits worn over the last decade.
37 VPA members set off from Luton heading for the seaside Wells-next-the-Sea. It was a sunny, although a little windy, day, with the opportunity for fish and chips, or an ice cream.
Everyone had a great time, a big thankyou to Jane and Dave for organising it and Andy our driver.
Friday, June 19 – Blenheim Palace Flower Show
48 VPA members set off from Luton on a beautiful sunny day for a trip to the Blenheim Palace Flower Show.
Thursday, July 2 – Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style
30 VPA members set off from Luton on a beautiful sunny day before stopping for a carvery lunch. They then headed to the Kings Gallery in London; where on show were all of Queen Elizabeth II's outfits worn over the last decade.
|
|
|
August Quiz
Pot luck again! 1. Which sport did Eric Bristow achieve fame in? 2. Who cut off 3 mice tales in a nursery rhyme? 3. Which is the largest musical instrument which has a keyboard? 4. What is mined in Kimberley, South Africa? 5. What does a German national indicate with the word "kaput"? 6. Which George Orwell novel has a year in the title? 7. Cider is made from which fruit? 8. Which film contained the song "He's a tramp"? 9. Which fruit can be served Belle Helene? 10. What colours are on the flag of Luxembourg? 11. Which ice skating duo danced to Bolero? 12. How many blue triangles are there on the Union Jack? 13. What does a choreographer plan? 14. What is a yucca? 15. The tv series Crossroads was set near which English city? 16. How many rowers are in a coxed pair rowing boat? 17. What is sometimes called "The old lady of Threadneedle Street"? 18. Which horse race meeting is known as "Glorious"? 19. Is a tulip grown from seed or bulb? 20. Which American city houses the Yankees and Mets baseball teams? Hope you enjoy the challenge.. |
June Quiz answers
1. India 2. Apple 3. Bolognese 4. Sausage 5. Cheese 6. Rice 7. Salad 8. Italy 9. Eggs 10. Coffee 11. Bread 12. Rectangular 13. Chicken 14. Crisps 15. Orange 16. 18 17. Gin 18. Lancashire 19. Black and white 20. Pear |
The VPA Golf events for 2026
Tuesday, September 15 – Pairs Championship at Aylesbury Vale Golf Club
Please forward the names and respective email addresses of any additional players.
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]
Tuesday, September 15 – Pairs Championship at Aylesbury Vale Golf Club
Please forward the names and respective email addresses of any additional players.
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]
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]
For Upcoming Events go to this page
For Useful Contact Information go to this page
For Upcoming Events go to this page
For Useful Contact Information go to this page
