CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Autumn 2004 is here and this is the last newsletter of the year, I would have liked to make an important announcement or reveal some earth shattering fact, but I only have two items to talk about. They are both important in their own right, but hardly earth shattering.  The first is the annual Short Break the Association indulges in each year, For this year after a meeting following the Christmas Dinner it was decided to visit Torquay, the response was poor, your Social Sec and the committee were undecided if it was Torquay or the decreasing interest in the whole project. After some research it was thought that the venue was the culprit.  David, as resourceful as ever, rearranged the venue to Lytham St. Annes, the response did improve (not a lot) but he went ahead and made the necessary arrangements, those going look forward to the trip and thank David for all his additional work.  It does mean that the Short Break needs to be carefully examined to see if members would like to carry on with this project. To this end I suggest that after the Christmas Lunch we hold a quick meeting to test the support, I enjoy the Short Break as it provides an opportunity to meet some of our members on a social basis as well as visiting some very interesting places not normally on your agenda. Hope to see you and some new faces at the meeting.

The second item is the change of membership as agreed at the AGM, to avoid possible financial problems in later years. The change is quite significant in that it affects our Life Members, the committee spent a great deal of time debating the problem, and listened to many views, finally reaching a unanimous decision that the proposal put to the AGM was in the best interests of our Association. It does mean that after the life member’s contribution expires they will be requested to resume contributions, it is a very small amount £2.00 a year, for three excellent newsletters plus the organisation of the social events, and perhaps not realised by many, just how much work goes on behind the scenes to try to ensure your pension interests are maintained. Area 8, which is your area for pensions, is foremost in activities with BAE Systems (who control your pensions) to try to ensure all pensioners interests are considered.

 We also try to establish a relationship with Airbus, this is not easy as contact with very busy members of that organisation is almost not existent; however we are talking to the Managing Director (whom we hope to see at the Christmas Lunch) with a view to improving the situation. To help the change of membership go smoothly your Membership Secretary has carried out a lot of work. We intend to notify all members affected when they will be due to resume paying subscriptions.  In the Autumn newsletter preceding the January when subscriptions will be due we will remind those members again. The committee really do hope that all will go smoothly, and all ex life members will continue to pay their subscriptions, hopefully by standing order to your bank, this will ensure you are not one of the 19 members who this year have not paid their annual subscriptions as yet, more work and cost to the administration. Finally after all has been said, may I and the committee wish those of you we will not see at the Annual Lunch, as you must have other commitments, a very enjoyable Christmas and a pleasant and successful New Year.

Frank.

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