CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

It does not seem very long ago that we welcomed in the year 2005, it is true that the older we get the time appears to pass quicker. This being so we must make the most of the time we have, in a way that suits us best.

The Short Break in October is an excellent way to do this for many of us. The venue is good, the hotel is good, the coach and its courier and driver are good, and best of all the company is very good, you would know most of them, and you would soon make acquaintance with those you did not know.

The downside of all these good things is that the numbers of members on the short break have been falling, so much so that we had to consider if we can continue to run them.

The moment it was announced that we may not be having a Short Break there was an outbreak of enthusiasm as witnessed at the meeting after the AGM. It would appear that the trip will be to Norwich, (details are elsewhere in this newsletter), I would have liked to have visited Northumbria, as it is an area that interests me since we visited it in our caravan some years ago, but I have bowed to popular opinion that it is a touch too far for some members in the coach. So now I look forward to Norwich, and I hope to see some new faces on the coach.

David does organise these outings so very well and deserves your support on a short break you would enjoy, with everything being first class.  

On the pension scene not a lot is happening but the Company is trying hard to improve the financial situation, which includes a deal with the actives to increase their subscriptions, not an easy task I would think. With the stock market improving and changes in the funding perhaps they are getting there. Apart from all this the Company try in various ways to save a penny or two, and one of their suggestions was to curtail the Area 8 meeting by not paying for expenses but at the last meeting expenses were paid.

If they continue with the plan to only pay for the elected representatives, I have a feeling that Area 8 as we know it will not be around for long, let us hope that it will not be so, as Area 8 is the main way that your views are communicated to the Pension Department. The amount of money that will actually be saved is peanuts compared with the pension budget.

Once again I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the committee for their help and serious consideration of all association matters, from important matters like pensions to the much more enjoyable item of social activities.

This year we welcomed a new member to the committee, Dave Curtis who has joined in helping with enthusiasm, in fact he has taken responsibility for collecting and delivering this newsletter from printing at Airbus.

It is hoped that a speaker from Airbus (similar to last year) will again address us after the AGM, to fill in a few facts about the 380 & the 350, from comments made after the last talk I am sure you will welcome this opportunity to keep in touch.

Finally I would like to extend a warm welcome to any new members and to wish all members a healthy and peaceful 2006.

Frank.

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