Bulletin Board

The Webmaster has received a number of requests to provide a facility for retired staff to contact ex-colleagues and friends, or pass on information which may be general interest to members. The previous web site provided a registry of e-mail addresses, but this was withdrawn following complaints of SPAM. However I would be prepared to play postman and act as an intermediary. I reserve the right to withdraw the service if it gets out of hand and will remove old contributions eventually!

Contributions, including photographs or clips, can only be accepted by e-mail. Photographs or clips will be reduced in size appropriate to web design, but full-sized versions can be made available on request. The originator's name can be printed but, in the interests of privacy, not their e-mail address, telephone number or postal address. The Webmaster reserves the right not to publish.

We understand he joined what was then the MTCA in 1945 after serving as a spitfire pilot in the RAF and then as an ATCO with us. He worked at the original Prestwick Centre and then at the Southern A.T.C.C. at Heathrow and briefly at West Drayton as a D.D., before finishing up at Bournemouth, when he retired in 1972. His widow, Betty, is looking for information about his service in both the RAF and later in ATC since he is to be the subject of a book!

If anyone has knowledge or information about Roy Norfolk, please contact by e-mail to webmaster@caa-rsa.org.uk and I will forward it to Betty.

The following was received from Ted Pillinger, Secretary of the EASTERN(Stansted) Branch

The following organisation may be of interest to many of our members if they had served in any of the armed forces.

In particular any members who served as regulars between the war and 1975 for a short or medium period would not have been given any pension rights although their services pay would have been reduced in respect of an anticipated pension.

I am a member of CAFF and would benefit from any changes made by the government. But I support the CAFF campaign because there are many people out there who have served their country and do not have the benefit of a pension like ours or even any recognition of their service to their country. These people may have served in Korea, Malaysia, Kenya or Aden.

Members of the CAFF have been trying to enlist their MP's help in getting recognition for these people and I have a written response from my MP saying that he supports the campaign.

Some of our members who are on low pensions (as mentioned) could well benefit, if they served, if the government revised the position with respect to service pensions.

CAFF is also active on a range of welfare matters and other activities supporting current and ex members of HM Forces.

Following the publication of the Draft Code of Practice associated with the Pensions Act 2004 it becomes apparent that the Trustees of Schemes, not the sponsoring employers, will become responsible for recognising, or otherwise, the appropriate 'organisations which adequately represent pensioner members'.

With this in mind the RSA is in the process of submitting its response to a letter from Roger Mountford, Chairman of the Trustees of the CAAPS, inviting our views on the structure and number of Trustees, before the Trustees embark on discussions on the method to appoint Member Nominated Trustees (MNTs).

Similar letters of invitation have been sent to the Chairmen of CAA and NATS and their respective Trade Unions representatives. Viewers will be kept informed as further information becomes available.

Pensioners will have received a letter advising them of the launching of a new website. The site www.caaps.co.uk will let you access your personal details which are held on a secure website to protect your confidential information. Other scheme information such as the Pension Guide and Annual Report will also be held on the website. Clear instructions on password access are on the site. Your webmaster has tried it out and found it simple and friendly to operate. If I can do it, I'm sure you can also!