NORTH WEST BRANCH

Origins

The present North West Branch of the CAA Retired Staff Association was formed in November 1989 after an earlier attempt to set up one had failed.  After a few years of treading water, a new committee was elected in 1995 and membership has gradually risen to over 350.  Whilst we are officially named the North West Branch, a number of our members who used to work in this area now live in either North Wales, Yorkshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Shropshire and even as far away as Wiltshire.

We hold a number of social functions throughout the year.  These have included canal trips, bowling both crown and indoor, theatre visits, backstage at the Bridgewater Hall, The Lowry and the Imperial War Museum North and of course the popular Christmas Lunch.  Husbands, wives and partners are always welcome to come along to these events. 

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The present committee comprises a cross section of former controllers, engineers, assistants and admin staff.  The secretary Barry Pratt is also a member of the Central Committee.

                        The Committee for 2006-07 is:-

                        Chairman - Brian Scott

                        Secretary – Barry Pratt 

                             Treasurer – Gerry Hall 

Committee Members-   Lesley Brown,    Brenda Condron,    Tim Mackay,     Alan Walker

From left to right ( as remembered by   the Webmaster!) Gerry Hall, Brian (Wally) Scott, Barry  Pratt,  Tim Mackay, Alan Walker, Brenda  Condron (sitting) and Lesley Brown.

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SECRETARY’S REPORT - 2008

My report this year begins by welcoming all new members who have joined us during the past year. Despite the significant increase that we had in membership a year or so ago, we have not had a corresponding increase in attendance at our social events. I am, therefore, enclosing with my report, a list of proposed social events for the rest of the year. I realise that not everybody is able to attend the social functions for a variety of reasons but it would be nice to see some new faces at them. You never know, you might enjoy yourselves.

Sadly, there have been a number of deaths during the course of the year, including Roy Quayle, who worked at Barton Hall and Manchester Airport and was a keen supporter of the RSA and also C.P. (Johnny) Johnson who did sterling Trade Union work in IPCS.

Members of the branch attended both funerals.

Talks have continued during the past year regarding the RSA’s claim to represent CAA and NATS pensioners. Finally, in December an agreement was reached and whilst we have some reservations about the time scale, we have been recognised as an organisation in our own right. More details should appear in Contrail.

This year’s Branch AGM will be held at The Waggon & Horses in Handforth again, commencing at 1.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 12th March. Lunch will be available in the pub prior to the meeting. If anyone has a motion for the National AGM would they please let me have it, in writing, by the 5th March for discussion at the meeting. There will be a vacancy on the committee this year as Lesley Brown will be standing down.

Nominations can be done from the floor but before nominating anyone, please make sure that they are willing to stand.

The National AGM is being hosted this year by our branch and will take place at The Imperial Hotel, Llandudno over the weekend, 16/17th May. Booking forms are on the website and have appeared in Contrail.

Finally, my thanks to the members and the committee, in particular, Lesley Brown and Alan Walker for their efforts in organising social events, for their support during the past year.

Barry Pratt

Secretary

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Forthcoming Social Events

For further information on any  events contact the secretary.

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BRANCH AGM 2008

Minutes of AGM held at The Waggon & Horses, Handforth

on Thursday, 12th March 2008 at 1.30 p.m.

Present : S. Barnes, E.Beach, L.Brown, R.Caukill, B.Condron, R.A.W.Foster, M.Gillibrand, V.Gillibrand, G.A. Hall, A. Ibbotson, T.J. Mackay, J. Pratt, K.B.Pratt, D.N. Prescott, J. Robertshaw, D.Schofield, B.W. Scott, N. Scott, R. Taylor, and A. Walker.

1. Chairman’s Welcome

Brian welcomed everyone to the meeting. He spoke of the sad death of Roy Quayle who used to attend the AGM’s reguarly. He continued by thanking the committee for all their work over the past year.

2. Apologies for Absence

Apologies had been received from Pat Fernihough, Bernie Hanley and Jacqui Mackay.

3. Minutes of AGM 2007

Des Prescott pointed out the mis-spelling of his name. Other than this the minutes were agreed. Proposer - V.Gillibrand, Seconder - B.Condron

4. Matters Arising

Brian said that there had been some delay and misunderstanding regarding an obituary to appear in Contrail for Roy Quayle and it had been decided after talking to Roy’s widow not to proceed with one. He understood that Paul Eite was doing one for C.P. Johnson who had also passed away.

5. Secretary’s Report

As in previous years Barry had sent his report to all members with the notice of the AGM and although some were sent by e-mail and a number hand delivered, the postage costs were in excess of £66. He went through the main points of his report pointing out that agreement had finally been reached on MNT’s, though we had some reservations regarding the time scale. He said that there were around 35 members going to the National AGM at present and if there was anyone else interested in going to let him know. The pension increase last year had been 4.6% which was the highest he had known it in 14 years of retirement and he thought that this year’s increase would be 4.1% based on February’s RPI. Stuart Barnes asked if membership was still free.

Barry stated that it was but did not know for how much longer.

6. Treasurer’s Report

Gerry had published a statement of accounts which showed a balance of £508, an increase of £103 on the previous year. This was mainly due to the increased grant and also a reduction in expenses. The statement of accounts was accepted. Proposer - S. Barnes, Seconder - E. Beach.

7. Election of Committee

Lesley Brown had decided to stand down from the committee for personal reasons. The remainder of the committee were re-elected en-bloc. Proposer - R. Taylor, Seconder - R. Foster. Vince Gillibrand had agreed to fill the vacancy on the committee. Proposer - R. Taylor Seconder - A. Ibbotson. Vince Gillibrand was duly elected.

8. Motions for National AGM

No motions had been received but Barry took the opportunity to mention a previous motion passed by this branch some years ago regarding the formation of a Travel Society for members of the RSA. This had never got off the ground but a Central Committee member, Ted Pillinger, had suggested that the idea might be revived. Barry had agreed to help out and already Touchdown had been contacted. If successful it would be called “RSATS (Retired Staff Association Travel Society)”

9. Social Events
A revised list of social events for the year had been issued to all members.

Lesley was willing to organise the trip to Cosford and the Annual Bowls Events had already been booked. Alan stated that the new steward would be willing to open the bar all afternoon if required and he also urged members to contact Maurice Hotchkin if they wished to go on the walk on the 13th May.

10. Any Other Business.   There was no other business.

The meeting closed at 2.15 p.m.

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  Poynton Sports Club on Wednesday 16th July 2008

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The Christmas lunch was held at the Belfry, Handforth on 6th December 2007

Pictures provided by Barry Pratt.  Click on the selected thumbnail to enlarge.

If you want pictures at the original size, ask Barry or myself and they will be sent by e-mail.  

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Photos taken on our canal trip on the Shropshire Union, October 2008

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