winter 2016 employees’ newslaingpastandpresent.co.uk/uploads/dec 2016 ren.pdf · lost during...

WINTER 2016

Motorway historyOriginal M1 bridges replaced plus the M25’s birthday.

New Welfare Officer Old friend of the Company joins the welfare team.

Towns Laing builtHelp mark their 100th and 50th anniversaries.

Employees’

NewsRetired

MAIN NEWS

2 John Laing Retired Employees’ NEWS

CONTENTS

Company news 3-5 Round up of current Company news at home

and abroad.

Team Spirit Past 6-9Snippets of news from 25 and 50 years ago.

Readers’ news 10-13Meet the new Welfare Officer, find out which

Laing project is about to celebrate 100 years, plus your letters and pictures.

Motorway special 14-15John Laing’s historic bridges demolished on

M1, and last section of the M25 is 30 years old. The history clubs 16-17As two retirement clubs celebrate significant

birthdays, we look back at their history.

Club news 18-19All the updates plus dates and venues for the

2017 President’s Day Summer Lunches.

Your anniversaries 20-21Two pages of special anniversaries.

News for the Third Age 22All sorts of snippets you may be interested in,

including the last dates for Christmas post.

In Memoriam 23

Thinking of others and the true meaning of respectWHEN Christmas comes and my family is counting many blessings - our thoughts will turn to those friends and relatives we have lost during 2016.

Though we live in an era when face-to-face communication seems almost a thing of the past, being there in person is more important than ever when it comes to paying our respects.

It is one of the most common queries we receive from readers who wish to attend the funerals of friends and former colleagues. You can read more about that on page 19.

If you are lucky enough to be sharing Christmas dinner with friends and family, you might need a copy of a cookbook produced by John Laing in the 60s.

This rare book/manual is just one of many surprises which crop up in the articles from Team Spirit 25 and 50 years ago. There is also a piece on dogs used to sniff out dry rot. See more on pages six - nine.

As usual, we are seeking your help in providing information for articles. Two towns where John Laing played a key role in the construction celebrate their 100th and 50th anniversaries in 2017.

We are indebted to our correspondents as always, who have provided a lovely and surprising answer to the mystery of a silver salver awarded on a project in the 60s. This is all featured on the Readers’ News pages, 10-13.

There is a special feature on celebrations of South West Retirement club’s 30th anniversary on page 17, plus yet another Platinum Anniversary on page 20.

So, I wish you all a happy Christmas and peaceful new year and will leave you with the following story about why we shouldn’t come to hasty decisions.

A couple were awoken by a knock at the door at around 2am in the morning. The husband was particularly grumpy about this as he left the nice warm bed to find out who it was.

His wife heard some shouting and then the front door slamming. When he came back to bed she asked: “Who was that darling?”

Still angry, the husband said: “Some young fool who said he needed a push. I told him where to go.”

His wife said gently: “You know, it wasn’t that long ago when you couldn’t get the car started and it was only because those young lads gave you a push that you got home at a reasonable hour. Perhaps you should offer to help?”

Reluctantly, the husband acted on his wife’s advice; went out into the garden and called out: “Look, I may have been a bit hasty. Do you still need a push?”

“Yes please,” replied the young man. “I’m over here on the swing.”

OK, so my new year’s resolution is to find a new source of jokes and to get out more.

Alex Finkenrath

RETIRED EMPLOYEES’ NEWSAlex Finkenrath, 5 Harpenden Close, Bedford, Beds, MK41 9RG.

Tel: 01234 313055 Mob: 07921 831780Email: [email protected]

Please address other correspondence to:John Laing Charitable Trust, 33 Bunns Lane,London, NW7 2DX

Tel: 020 8959 9683

Printed by: White Hart Press, Bedford.

COVER SHOT: Decorated John Laing crane at Christmas on the London skyline in the 1980s.

SPRING ISSUE DEADLINE: January 31, 2017

CONTENTS

COMPANY NEWS

John Laing Retired Employees’ NEWS 3

Past and present - we’re here to help!ONE area in which the John Laing Charitable Trust (JLCT) regularly works with the Company is with enquiries.

Reception staff at John Laing Group plc don’t just field questions from around the world about the current business, but also regarding the Company’s long and illustrious history.

Gianna Lorandi said: “Most of the historical enquiries are from people whose parents or relatives used to work for John Laing. They are often trying to put together family trees.

“Sometimes people send in lovely

old photographs connected with the Company and are looking for details of where and when they were taken.”

Historical enquiries are passed on to JLCT at Mill Hill. Every enquiry is answered, even if the information cannot always be found.

Enquiries also come in from local authorities, local history groups and even government departments.

The team at Mill Hill check through old copies of Team Spirit and the index of documents contained within the archive held at Northants County Records Office to try and find the correct information.

Receptionists Gianna Lorandi and Anna Martinsen at the John Laing head office, Kingsway, London. Inset Facilities and Services Manager Otiyaa Yempew.

HEAD OFFICE staff returned to the Company heartland to raise money for the Prince’s Trust Charity with a walk through the Lake District.

The 25-strong group ascended Helvellyn (3,118 ft) and High Raise

(2,500 ft), ending in the Langdale Pikes as part of a 16-mile route.

Organiser of the event was Derek Potts. Between them they raised £4,700 which is to be matched by the John Laing Charitable Trust.

THE Company has opened an office in California to take advantage of growing American demand for private sector infrastructure expertise.Anthony Phillips, John Laing Managing Director for Primary Investments, North America is overseeing the expansion on the West Coast of the US. The new office is already competing for two major Public Private Partnership (P3) projects worth $5.5bn at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). John Laing has been shortlisted on a new 2.25 mile Automated People Mover (APM) line alongside Bechtel, Ferrovial and Bombardier.The team also intends to bid for a massive consolidated rental car facility (CONRAC) at the airport. There is strong support for infrastructure PPP programmes in the region. In November the voters of Los Angeles county voted in favour of a ballot initiative granting LA Metro an increase in Sales Tax to fund a substantial expansion of the existing mass transit and a range of highway developments to address traffic congestion in the region.As well as transportation infrastructure, the local district is considering a P3 investment in social infrastructure, to upgrade the Los Angeles Convention Centre and Civic Centre. John Laing’s expertise in renewables is also likely to play a prominent role in new greenfield infrastructure projects in the region, such as the Sterling Wind Farm (see next page).

Opportunity knocks in LA

Fells angels’ walk to raise cash

COMPANY NEWS

Putting wind in global sales of clean energy

John Laing Group PLC is making great strides globally in renewable energy. As the world looks for cleaner ways to produce electricity; the Company has secured its first North American wind farm and first off-shore wind site in Germany. The Company is involved with 24 renewable energy projects in six different countries. Here we have a look at three of the most recent.

STERLING WIND FARM - USATURBINES might replace tumbleweeds as the iconic image associated the windswept prairies of Mid Western America.

As the demand for clean energy increases globally, John Laing Group PLC is investing US$20.5 million in the Sterling Wind Power Project in Lea County, New Mexico. The location is excellent for wind power being on a flat prairie with strong prevailing winds.

The US energy market is both huge and diverse. There are efficient and dynamic local partners and it is intended that Sterling will be the first in a long line of renewable energy investments by John Laing in the US.

The key to success is working with the best partners and Akuo Energy USA, Inc, is the developer and operator of the project who have previously developed 860MW of wind capacity across the world.

GE are supplying the 13 turbines and taking responsibility for operating and maintaining the facilities. Local partner Western Farmers Electric Cooperative have transmission and generation skills and local experience and have committed to taking the electricity output for 15 years.

Total installed capacity for the Sterling Wind Power Project will be 29.9 MW.

It is the first renewable energy investment made by John Laing in North America.

The objective of all the partners is to provide reliable cost effective renewable long-term power for local communities and businesses alongside competitive returns for the investors in the project – which depends on all partners working together.

The project is expected to be completed in 2017. In addition to John Laing’s equity investment, the construction of the Sterling Wind Power Project will be funded with a construction loan from BayernLB which will bridge an equity contribution from GE Energy Financial Services. The project is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2017 and will benefit from a 15-year fixed price power purchase agreement from a regional utility.

NORDERGRÜNDE - GERMANYANOTHER breakthrough in renewable energy for the John Laing Group PLC includes its 30% stake in a 110.7MW offshore wind farm project in the German North Sea, just north of the city of Wilhelmshaven.

The Nordergründe project is the Company’s second German wind investment and its first investment in offshore wind. The project achieved financial close in June 2015 with senior debt being provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB), KfW IPEX Bank and other commercial lenders. In addition to John Laing, other shareholders in Nordergründe are wpd AG (30%) and Gothaer Leben

Below is an earlier investment, Klettwitz Windfarm in Germany. John Laing purchased and then upgraded the equipment thereby boosting its output.



COMPANY NEWS

Renewables GmbH (40%).Nordergründe will be delivered and

operated by the wpd Group, a large German developer and operator of off-shore and on-shore windfarms, both domestically and internationally, and electricity generation will come from 18 Senvion 6.2 M126 turbines.

All foundation piles have been installed and turbine erection is underway. The grid connection is in place, onshore cable and substation works have been completed and offshore cabling works have already begun. The project will benefit from the German feed in tariff mechanism and construction is expected to be completed in Q2 2017.

Ross McArthur, Managing Director of Renewable Energy for John Laing, said:

“The Nordergründe off shore wind project in Germany is an important step for John Laing into a new market where we see a significant opportunity, and in a country we want to continue to invest into. We are pleased to be working with a partner of the quality of wpd

given their track record of successful development of offshore wind projects and their skilled and experienced team.

SOMMETTE-EAUCOURT FRANCEJohn Laing Group has invested in a second wind farm project in France.The Company announced in September that it had achieved financial close on an investment of £11.7 million to acquire 100% of the Sommette-Eaucourt wind farm in Picardie, northern France. The acqusition was made from WKN AG, the developer of the site and EPC contractor. In addition to John Laing’s equity investment, the construction of the Sommette-Eaucourt wind farm will be project financed with debt from ING Bank. Construction is expected to be completed in January 2018.Total installed capacity for the Sommette wind farm will be 21.6 MW from 9 Nordex N117/2400 turbines, each with capacity of 2.4 MW. The project benefits from a 15-year feed in tariff.

“Renewable energy markets continue to offer a strong pipeline of opportunities that are well suited to our core skills and investment appetite. We hope to continue to invest in energy infrastructure across all of our chosen markets in the years ahead.”

- Ross McArthur, Managing Director of Renewable Energy

John Laing’s first offshore wind

farm investment at Nordergründe,

not far from Wilhelmshaven

MAIN NEWSTEAM SPIRIT 50 YEARS AGO - 1966


NIGEL REDFERN was elected to the House of Laity in the National Assembly of the Church of England, as a representative of the Diocese of Carlisle. One of his first official engagements was to address the Assembly during afinancial debate on the Church’s needs and resources.

A TWO-STOREY windowless factory was to be erected by the Construction Company at Thornhill, Southampton, as part of a £1.25 million development for United Builders Merchants Limited. A windowless design for the factory was chosen as the proposed production process ran for 24 hours a day and it was essential that close inspection of the product (copper foil) should be made in a constant light not obtainable by natural lighting. It was being constructed just off the main Portsmouth/Southampton road.

It was a case of gold fingers not green ones when JH Woollard found a coin whilst digging in his garden. The new Manager of the PFA Division at Stuart B Dickens found an almost mint condition ‘gold noble’ struck during the reign of Edward III in his garden at Longstowe, Huntingdonshire. The solid gold coin was valued at £1,250. Team Spirit pointed him out as a shrewd businessman. His house was on the market at the time, but any prospective purchaser would have to sign an agreement with a clause making sure that John got a quarter of

the profits from any more coins found in the garden.

SOMETHING few people would expect from a construction company was to publish a cookery book. However, Mill Hill Catering Manager Anthony Brixey’s tome was more a large manual for industrial catering. It was produced ‘in a strong, black binding’ and most of the recipes, (which ranged from stewedsteak to creme caramel) were based on making 24 portions - with hints on preparation and serving. The importance ofhygiene was stressed throughout the book, and there was an accent on retaining the natural flavour of food and its vitamin content.

AN UNAUTHORISED family of six was found living in an unoccupied flat at the recently completed Oldham development. A tabby cat and her five kittens had taken refuge in a room used for storing kitchen cabinets. Site staff believed that she was fed during

her early occupation but once she was officially discovered by tractor driver Ronnie West shewalked out with the kittens, their eyes open by now, having enjoyed refuge in the warmth during those vital early weeks. Before the team could arrange to get her photograph taken she and her family had moved on.

TEAM SPIRIT reported on a group of long-serving employees at Oxford. In 1949 ‘a team of Company men, most of them from Reading’ moved onto the first Easiform contract in Oxford at Barton. Many were still there 15 years on! They had started with Easiform No 1 contract and were now on Easiform No 21 and 22. When completed they would have built 3,100 houses, most of them for the City of Oxford. When the Team Spirit photographer visited the site and asked to meet some of the long-service men he found 12 who had over 15 years on the Oxford sites alone. See the picture below.

Valerie Forder had added to her collection of medals at the Paraplegic Commonwealth Games in Jamaica with gold medals for Swimming and silver for the Wheel Chair Dash. She also competed in the European Paraplegic Games in June and was the winner of the Pentathlon. At Laing, she was training as a Computer Programmer with data Processing Department at Mill Hill.Tony Davison, 15-year-old son of C. P.Davison, Midland Plant Depot manager, won a team place in the Commonwealth Games and broke the first British record at the National Swimming Championships in Blackpool. He won his heat in the boys’ 110 yards back stroke in 63.9 seconds — one second outside the best British time.

Long-serving Easiform team, from left, back row: J Carroll, SJ Hawkins, J Korobiecki, P Reidy, J Muawski, RD Waller, LA Trash. Front: JP Jennings, W Krajewski, A Kotowicz, R Reske, W Rewinski and RJ Maloney.


Team spirit - 1966

Work on the Western Avenue Extension was officially inaugurated at Porteus Road, Paddington, on 21st September, by M. Andre Saccasyn, Inspector-General of the Administration of Highways in Belgium, who was in London for the Fifth World Meeting of the International Road Federation. M. Saccasyn is seen here at the controls of the foundation boring rig with McKinncy operator Keith Chappie. The ceremony was attended by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, the mayors of Chelsea, Hammersmith and Kensington and other dignitaries. Speaking of the project. Sir Maurice Laing quoted from a prayer by Sir Francis Drake when he sailed into Cadiz in 1587:‘... it is not the beginning but the continuing of the same, until it bethoroughly finished, which yielded the true glory.’1966

The High Speed Sectra construction system boosted the intake at Reading University as ‘red brick’ universities turned to concrete. Educational establishments were keen to cater for an upsurge in the numbers of people seeking university places. John Laing completed two large halls ofresidence (each housing 302 students) in time for the October term, with a third hall under construction and scheduled for hand-over the following May.Work had started on December 31, 1964 and the Sectra system ensured a speedy construction. However, there were some issues, as certain parts of the building required traditional construction techniques: the dining hall, kitchens, senior common room and boiler house. Linking sectra to a concrete frame called for tight tolerances. The work was split into 15 units, each comprising eight phases. The halls of residence was ten storeys high.

TEAM SPIRIT 50 YEARS AGO - 1966

The Sectra gang at Elm Farm from the left: top row: P Petruk, N Noblett, D Whittaker, J Gallagher, R Hill, WE Edwards, E Ulysses, W Downer and H Reid. Front: R Gorrod (crew leader), J. Carrol, B Coveyduck, V Francis, N Douglas and E Burt.Pictured below are the dining room and a typical study bedroom.

THE Company was proud of its single IBM 360 computer at Mill Hill. However, a feature about the department suggested that some who controlled it treated it almost with contempt. Here are some of their quotes:‘Don’t call it an electronic brain. It has eyes, ears - and a memory but no intelligence. It has to be told to do everything’ — R. Geary.‘The computer is a moron - with a memory’ — R. Mitchell.‘The computer is not the answer to everything. It can only be justified by the usefulness of the information it provides for management.’ — K. Dawson.

MAIN NEWS



TOP ARTISTS around the country were preparing for the 20th Laing Art Competition taking place in 1992. The Company provided £15,000 worth of cash prizes, not to mention organising collection and return of all paintings; exhibiting regionally and nationally as well as the judging. Also, 25% of landscapes and seascapes hung were sold - according to the literature. A selection of six entries - not necessarily cash prize winners - would be chosen to appear in the Laing Calendar. Not bad for the £3 entry fee.

JOHN Laing Construction won a prestigious £80m medical centre contract for Health Care International (Scotland) Ltd. The design, manage and construct contract was on a 47-acre site at Clydebank, Glasgow. The ‘major high technology hospital’ was due for completion in 1994 and would offer the highest standard

of tertiary care, specialising in complex surgical procedures. Facilities would also include: A 256-bed Intensive care hospital; 174-room residential annexe for patients and relatives; Postgraduate education centre; 16 operating theatres and an ambulatory care department.

THE Company was directly involved in a scheme to provide new gates at Hyde Park in honour of HM the Queen Mother. Sir Martin Laing along with David Curtis of (LTG) Laing Design and Brian Collins of HWA, were working on designs. Team Spirit also invited employees to join the national Post a Pound campaign launched by Prince Michael of Kent. People were invited to send £1 worth of stamps to help fund the project.

TWO EPL first aiders rushed to help when there was a serious road accident outside the Orpington office. Yard Foreman Graham Taylor and VDU Operator Julie Gould heard a screech of brakes and a loud bang. A double decker bus, an open backed van and a number of cars had been involved in the smash. They rushed down to find that a van driver’s legs were trapped and he had clearly broken one foot. Julie told Team Spirit: “It was important to try to keep him awake, as unconscious victims run the risk of choking.’Julie also supported a woman trapped on the bus, who was shaking from shock. The van driver’s father was so grateful he went to the trouble

of tracing Graham at the EPL office and thanking him personally.

Also around this time, OC Summers Service Layer and body-builder, John Howland, stopped a runaway car with his bare hands before it crashed into a bus in St George, Bristol. As he was cycling to the gym John saw a driverless Mini gathering speed and cruising towards an oncomingbus. He said: ‘As I was cycling along, the Mini was in front of me and I thought “Blimey, there’s no driver”, so I raced alongside and dug my heels into the road, using my foot as a brake.”

RECEIVING the Team Spirit Cup forthe best Laing newsletter was Martin Chapman, Chief Information Centre Manager and Editor ofUPDATE. The internal newsletter provided information about computers, some of which was also

distributed electronically. It was praised for conveying complicated information in clear terms and quality of its writing and design.

LAING Homes provided the Champagne at a birthday surprise for 76-year-old Geoffrey Blair when his older brother, Joe and three sisters celebrated with him at the company’s Fairbanks Lodge retirement home in Borehamwood. The brothers were neighbours in the development. Joe bought his retirement apartment in 1989 and Geoffrey and his wife Hannah, who often stayed in the development’s guest suite when they visited him, bought one just a year later. Joe’s daughters staged the party for the brothers and other residents.



AMONG the Company’s most prestigious projects of the time was 60 London Wall. The £58m flagship developmentwas completed by Laing London in just 100 weeks. The most modern fast-track construction methods were used on the project undertaken by client, Scottish Widows Fund & Life Assurance Society. It provided 241,000 net square feet of high spec, air-conditioned, office space in the heart of the city of London. There was also a stylish arcade of shops, car parking and restaurant facilities at the building. The luxurious interior featured glass-backed lifts, marble finishes and glass atria. Project Manager Chris York explained that detailed planning and precise requirements meant that the sub-contractors knew exactly what was required and performed really well on the contract. It was not completely without problems. The team had to deal with a burst water main that sent 600,000 gallons of water spilling into the basement.

PEOPLE may have thought HWA were barking to bring dogs on site at the prestigious £11m refurbishment of the Mansion House in the City of London. However, Goldie the Labrador and Sammy the Mongrel sniffed their way throughout the 250-year-old Grade I listed building, not for drugs, explosives or bones, but for dry rot! Accompanied by their trainer, John Berry, the ‘Rothounds’ nosed around for hours, eventually locating a section of decaying timber underneath an area of flat roof on the third floor.John Berry explained: ‘It takes eight weeks to train the dogs. You start off by throwing them a piece of wood that has dry rot running through it. Once they get

used to the smell the next stage is to hide the wood for them to find’.The Mansion House, home of the Lord Mayor of London, is undergoing an extensive programme of conservation, restoration, repair and alteration. HWA wascarrying out the main contract on behalf of the Corporation of London.

Team spirit - 1991

1991Below, the Team, back row, from left; Ahmed Murderris, Gary Simmonds, Paul Kennard, Andy Smith, Dave Rumsey, John Borner, John Mollis, Tim Barnes, Issy Droppa, John Herring, Martin Clark, ‘AJ’ Smith, Rachel Murphy, assistant planner; Neil Turvey, Brian Tidy, Ann Sparks and Tim Smith. Centre row: Albert Pomfrett, John Croot, Chris York, John Vorley and Mike Breed. Front row: Everitt Burrows, Len Smith, Tony Millwood, Rob Coe, Nick Devondicktus, John Davis and Mic Skinner.

London Wall project in heart of the city

TEAM SPIRIT published a noticeboard detailing various events and services. There was an ‘on-site hairdresser’ who could be contacted via reception at Mill Hill. Another notice invited entrants for the 1992 Three Peaks Challenge - the organisers of which were hoping to make a video. Hendon (Laing) Band had a Christmas concert and ‘Would-be winners of the John Laing Memorial Trophy for fishing’ were reminded that they had until March 15, 1992 to enter. Judges would be ‘looking for the most meritorious catch during the coarse fishing season’. Current employees and retirees were allowed to take part, and the entry form required a picture, description of the fish and full details of two witnesses to validate claims. Laing Sports Club Office, at Mill Hill was processing the entries.


READERS’ NEWS

THE annual reunion of engineers and architects is on March 16, 2017.Anyone is welcome to attend the event, which includes a buffet lunch.You can pay on the door, but please let organisers know in advance so they can confirm numbers for catering. Contact John Clark ([email protected]) for details.

The tale of two townsMAJOR anniversaries for two UK towns largely built by John Laing are coming up in 2017 and we would love readers’ input for a special feature to be published next year.

Gretna was a village most famous as a place young couples could elope to be wed before John Laing received a works order to build a ‘township’ over 100 years ago.

Lord Hardwicke’s Marriage Act, was passed in England in 1753. Among the provisions were that parental consent must be given to any marriage where both parties were not at least 21 years of age. In Scotland, boys could marry at 14 and girls at 12, with or without parental consent. Another provision of the Act was that notice of an impending marriage must be given to the community.

Since Gretna was just over the Scottish border, it became the main destination for young English couples wishing to avoid the Marriage Act.

However, during World War I, Gretna was the site of the world’s largest munitions factory - stretching nine miles and employing 30,000 people.

The village was no longer suitable and a works order for a town was received which stated that the Company was being asked to build a ‘township’.

Half a century later, and a few hundred miles further south, Milton

Keynes was about to change from a few villages to a town which is now verging on becoming a city. John Laing did not join the party until 1974, but has built many of the key places in the town including the famous shopping centre, theatre and a large proportion of the housing stock.

We plan to mark the Company’s role in the construction of both of these leading conurbations and would like to include your memories, associations and pictures.

We are not expecting to hear from anyone who built Gretna, but readers may have information or pictures which we can add to the piece.

Post or email your items to the address on the inside front cover of this magazine.n Chelsea and Westminster Hospital also marks a major anniversary next year if you wish to share any info.

Snapshot can land you £50DON’T be camera-shy when it comes to submitting photos and old snapshots for this year’s competition.

The winner will receive a £50 voucher.

If the photo is a suitable size and shape, it might also have the chance of appearing on the front cover of a future issue of this magazine.

Entries do not have to be a picture you have taken recently, it can be a timeless snapshot you found in the attic, or a favourite picture from a few years ago.

You can post or email your entries to the address details on the inside front cover of this magazine.

Please remember to include your details as well as a name for the entry, and please ensure you do not write on the back of the picture or attach it to anything with a paperclip or staple.

Emailed images will need to be at least 1mb in size. Entries will be judged next year by a panel.

Gretna & Milton Keynes mark 100th and 50th anniversaries

Engineers’ reunion date


READERS’ NEWS

STEVE Hobbs is looking forward to meeting some old colleagues as well as lots of new friends in his new role as Welfare Officer.

He will be taking over Margaret Staines’ patch when she retires at the end of this year.

Steve started out at Laing London as a teenager in production control and will never forget his first boss Ken Fowler.

”He really took me under his wing and was as much a friend as a boss,” said Steve.

Their first project was Wellington Hospital, outside Lords Cricket Ground.

It was a decade of fervent union activity and Steve found he had a knack for communicating with all sides. This led to his appointment as Labour Officer for the London Region in the early 80s and then Industrial Relations Officer.

However, he stayed true to his Production Control roots and one of his most enjoyable stints with the company was keeping 200+ directly controlled tradesmen on sites.

“It was like a giant puzzle to make sure that everyone had a place to work and that each site had enough tradesmen for their jobs,” said Steve.

In the 90s, Steve moved into

personnel, with spells in Laing Training and at Laing Homes before moving to Holloway White Allom in 1998. There he stayed – was part of the Management Buyout Team in 2002 and remained until the company went into receivership at the end of 2011. Since then he has continued his work in personnel, as Head of HR for another building company based in Borehamwood

He added: “I have so many happy memories from a long career with the Company. I am really looking forward to meeting new friends and former colleagues in my new role.”

Steve will be covering the area: Essex, London (North, North West, West and East) and Middlesex.CONTACTEmail: [email protected]: 07887 410 376

Letters make a differenceYOU could provide some comfort to an elderly person who is alone and isolated in the time it takes to write a letter.

John Laing Charitable Trust (JLCT) charity partner Silver Line is looking for volunteers to become Silver Letter pen friends.

The charity, which also runs a 24-hour telephone helpline for the elderly and isolated, matches volunteers to friends based on their interests.

They will exchange two letters each per month, covering everything from their likes and dislikes to thoughts and ideas.

It does not cost anything to be apart of Silver Line letter and anyone volunteering will be provided with freepost envelopes.

In order to protect those taking part, all letters will come via Silver Line and be monitored and forwarded.

If you would like to be matched to a Silver Letter pen friend, call the helpline (0800 4 708090) or write to: The Silver Line, 19-23 Featherstone Street, London, EC1Y 8SL.

New Welfare Officer began as Laing teen

Steve Hobbs - new Welfare Officer

READER Brian Wheller was able to explain the reason for the award in the photograph published in the last issue in relation to Anstill Barnes who worked on the Coventry Cathedral project.The salver was apparently presented to Adam Stocks who was Laing’s Project Manager at Coventry Cathedral. Brian wrote: “There were quite a number of national awards MBEs etc given to people involved with the building of the Cathedral but, for some unknown reason, Adam missed out, so the site employees and some visiting staff contributed to the salver in appreciation of all his hard work.” Brian was the site QS when this photo was taken in

early 1962, and is pictured back row fifth from the right. He added: “I remember how pleased Adam was to receive the salver saying ‘This is my medal’.”

Silver salver mystery

READERS’ NEWS

Truth about Barclays Poole project crane


The Barclays Bank project at Poole during the 1970s was among the most vaunted in the South West region’s construction history. Many have remarked over the years about the crane boom which fell through the roof of a house which was being used by the Company as an office. We are lucky enough to have received a letter from a gentleman who was involved in sorting it all out.

Dear Sir,I noted your suggestion in the last issue regarding the crane ‘falling down’ on the Barclays contract at Poole - but that was not the case.

The tower crane was a new Liebherr HC130 crane operating at 200ft under the hook. It was operating on a curved rail track to give the crane maximum availability to the site.

I was South West Regional Plant and Transport Manager at our depot in Coalpit Heath. Shortly after the crane started work on the site, the crane operator said he was concerned and thought that the crane travelling base was attempting to climb the track rails as he travelled around the site.

This was very dangerous as, under certain conditions, it could cause the crane to topple over. I contacted the Liebherr representative who visited

the site with the Plant Department Chief Engineer.

After observing the crane’s movement, he suggested that it could still operate, but I disagreed ... I considered it to be too dangerous to continue to use the crane.

It was decided to change the travelling base, which meant the crane had to be completely dismantled and re-erected. This required a large mobile crane.

Whilst lifting the main boom of the tower crane, the mobile crane tipped over and the tower crane boom it was lifting crashed through the roof of two nearby semi-detached houses.

Fortunately no one was injured. The mobile crane toppled over because one of its stabilising outriggers had been stationed over a storm drain.

When the load of the tower crane boom was taken by the mobile crane, the outrigger crashed through the drain and the whole load came crashing down.

The rest of the crane was dismantled and a new travelling base was brought in by Liebherr.

The whole dismantle and re-erection procedure was carried out by Liebherr with some help from Plant Department staff.

Gordon Johnson.

Dear Sir,I don’t know if you are aware of the fact that the Civils part of the Company published their own magazine called Civil Tongue, introduced due to the fact that Team Spirit seemed to be biased to the building side of the Company. This is advised you so that the section of the Retired Employees News can include the relevant entries within the section as per the subject detail from that magazine.

Peter CharterRetired QS Civils

If anyone has copies of these, we would love to see them.

Keeping a Civil tongue

Keep up with contact detailsIt can be a bit of a pain changing the contact details on your mobile phone and email, but it might be necessary.

The latest contact details for the Welfare Department; the John Laing Charitable Trust office and Retired Employees’ News are featured on the inside cover of this magazine.

Over the years, some of these details have changed with the appointment of new staff.

Some readers have let us know that they have had trouble contacting this newsletter in particular.

If this is the case, please check that you are using the most up-to-date emails address ([email protected]) and mobile telephone number (07921 831780).

Picture taken after the boom on the Barclays project at Poole fell through the roof of nearby houses.

READERS’ NEWS


Returning to the prefab days?A GOVERNMENT white paper is expected to encourage banks to lend to firms which construct homes off-site before delivering them to their final destination to help cope with continually increasing demand.

John Laing was among the nine main contractors signed up by the Government to build 30,000 British Steel Houses (BISF) in 1946. At that time John Laing & Sons had secured orders for 2,000 of the steel framed prefabs worth £2.25 million.

The BISF houses were expected to have the same lifespan as any brick-built house. They should not be confused with other prefabricated houses built in the same post-war era - some of which are listed as ‘Defective Housing’ and might be avoided by mortgage lenders.

Whilst John Laing & Sons was

renowned for prefabricated construction techniques for commercial buildings, (such as Sectra) the millions of homes constructed by the Company did not use materials and sections prefabricated away from the site.

The Easiform model was developed 1919 onwards. The

concrete was poured into moulds in-situ. The rare Mk1 version had 8 inches (20 cm) thick solid no-fines clinker concrete walls (1919 to 1928).

The Mk2 version from 1925 to 1945 had cast in situ cavity walls, 3 inches (7.6 cm) thick inner and outer leaves with 2 inches (5.1 cm) cavity, usually finished externally with stone dashed render coat. Post-1945, the Mk3 version which make-up the majority of houses, was modified to specification, and hence had cast in situ concrete walls, inner and outer leaves of 3 inches (7.6 cm) thickness separated by a 2 inches (5.1 cm) cavity, and reinforcement in both skins located in four horizontal bands above and below window openings.

We would love to hear about your experiences with any prefeb or Easiform housing.

Mr Aneurin Bevan made a surprise visit to a pair of BISF houses already completed in Burnell Gardens, Stanmore

UK’s tallest concrete structure was a Laing chimneyThe tallest concrete structure to be demolished in the UK has been blown up.

The 244m-tall chimney of the defunct Grain A Power Station in Kent was transformed into 40,000 tonnes of concrete rubble in a matter of seconds after explosives were detonated.

The demolition sent huge clouds of smoke into the sky as onlookers watched the spectacle.

Originally opened in 1979, the power station

was able to produce enough electricity to power more than one million homes before closing in December 2012.

It has been a prominent feature of the Medway skyline for more than 30 years.

The demolition project began in April 2014 and there have previously been five demolition events to bring down the main infrastructure of the plant.

MOTORWAY HISTORY

Historic M1 bridges

IN September two original M1 bridges near the spot where motorists first drove into the motorway era were demolished. Now, 50 years on, Highways England’s A5-M1 link scheme will relieve chronic congestion in the area again.

n The first UK section of motorway was the Preston Bypass in 1958 (now part of the M6). The M1 in 1959 was Britain’s first full-length motorway.

n The early M1 had no speed limits, no central reservation or crash barriers and no lighting.

n The Special Roads Act 1949 allowed for the construction of roads with limited vehicle classifications.

M1 FACTSTHERE were cars filled with families queuing for their chance to be among the first people to drive on the UK’s first full length motorway when it was opened on November 2, 1959.

The historic motorway era began at Slip End near Dunstable from where the Transport Minister Ernest Marples informed police to raise the barriers and let the motorists onto Britain’s first full length motorway.

In September of this year, two of the other historic bridges opened that day were demolished as Highways England (formerly the Highways Agency) continued with a £162 million project to relieve the chronic congestion around Dunstable with the A5-M1 link scheme.

A Highways England Project Manager Karen Green said: “Our scheme will also improve road safety and bring economic benefits, unlocking the development of 7,000 houses and 40 hectares of employment land, potentially

providing 4,000 jobs at Houghton Regis. It involves a new 2.8-mile, two lane dual carriageway and three new junctions.”

The two bridges near Dunstable were demolished during two separate weekends in order to minimise disruption to road users.

At 8pm on Saturday 10 September, the old B579 Luton Road bridge (which had been closed for almost a year) was demolished by contractors who worked throughout the weekend on behalf of Highways England. This included clearing the debris and preparing the M1 for reopening on Sunday 11 September at 2pm.

Demolition of the old Houghton Road bridge followed the same pattern starting at 8pm on Saturday 24 September and completing by 2pm on Sunday 25 September.

Karen Green added: “We used hydraulic breakers to demolish the bridges, which created a lot of rubble, so it was essential we closed the M1 to ensure maximum safety for road workers and road users. We have worked with Central Bedfordshire Council and other stakeholders to ensure we minimise disruption during the work.”

The project, scheduled to open in Spring 2017, also involved creating a new interchange with the M1 Motorway - Junction 11a.

Through the wonders of modern technology, and a highly efficient

Pictures courtesy of Highways England show the two new M1 bridges replacing the originals opened to the public in 1959.


MOTORWAY HISTORY


And it’s 30 years since the Company completed the M25THE M25 celebrated 30 years since completion in September.The Company built around a quarter of Europe’s second longest ring road. At 117 miles long, it is five miles shorter than the Berliner ring road.The final section (Swanley/Sevenoaks) was officially opened on October 29, 1986 by the Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher,who said: “It [the M25] is an example of what can be achieved by our great construction companies. They are top flight construction companies, not only working in our country but performing the world over.”Other sections completed by John Laing were: Bucks - Maple Cross; Essex - Epping, Brentwood, Aveley 1, Aveley 2 and Kent - Dartford to Swanley.

stood the test of time

Left: Transport Minister Ernest Marples at the Slip End junction tells police to lift the barriers and allow motorists onto the M1. Above, how the upgrades will be arranged. Right architect Sir Owen Williams meets Ernest Marples.

Above, some of the traffic restrictions which define a Motorway. Left, aerial shot of latest works courtesy of Highways England.

press department, you can see films of these demolitions and photographs on-line.

For further information visit the Highways England website at: www.highways.gov.uk/a5m1link.

You can also send an email to: [email protected].

Amersham Road Bridge (A414) looking north towards the Chiltern Line - picture submitted by Chris Day. Inset, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher opens the final section in 1986.

RETIREMENT CLUB MILESTONES

Retiring was a new start


History of the clubsApril 1971

Elstree

October 1986South West

(Bristol)

November 1986Realm – Retired

Employees At Laing Midlands

May 1987Laing Senior Citizens Club

Cumbria

June 1988Manchester North West

Senior Citizens Club

September 1989

REALNorth London

December 1992LNER - Laing

North East Retirement Club

September 1994Solare South

London

September 1995Glasgow Saltire

IT WAS 1971 when some John Laing employees who wanted to maintain links with their friends and colleagues finally got round to setting up the Company’s first retirement club at the Rowley Lane Sports Club.The sports club was such a popular

social outlet for staff already, that former staff were continuing to meet there anyway often to continue using the sporting facilities.The Company agreed that the clubs

were a natural progression for the family ethos upon which much of the success of the business had relied, and was happy to provide funding to ensure that it got off the ground.Sir Kirby Laing’s wife Lady Joan

was the first president of the Elstree Club - as it was called - and fitted the role in among a large amount of charitable activities. The club was established in April 1971 with 50 members. Chairman was Johnny Longcake, Secretary, Lillian Stainsby and Treasurer Fred Stanborough.Within a few months, Team Spirit

reported that membership had been extended to include retirees from further afield and that the club had enjoyed its first public outing - a coach trip to Worthing which cost

members a total of 65p each.It was 15 years before the next

club started up. South West, which had also been the first Region to operate independently within the group, really started the ball rolling with retirement clubs around the country. See facing page for details of their 30th anniversary held in November this year.Perhaps members in the Company

heartland of Cumbria met informally before they too started a new club in May 1987 with a massive 93 founding members.This was eclipsed in 1989 when a

second north London club was set up. The new generation of retirees from Mill Hill began in 1989 with 119 starter members forming REAL.The clubs have changed over the

years with Realm now boasting the largest membership, but new members continue join every club.They have also evolved alongside a

changing world organising different types of events to cater for all ages of membership.The Trust continues to provide

financial help and support, but it is the people who give up their time and effort as committee members who deserve the biggest vote of thanks for keeping the clubs running.

Retirees from Elstree gather ahead of the first ever John Laing retirement club outing in 1971

RETIREMENT CLUB MILESTONES

Club members mark 30 yearsSOME might say that the South West inaugural retirement club meeting was 100 years too late.It took place on September 10,

1986 at St Peter’s Church Hall, Henleaze, Bristol. However, the original letter inviting the Company to attend was dated 1896 - and was among the many artefacts and pictures on display at the event.South West was the first

independent Region set up within the John Laing Group and the wealth of knowledge and experience gathered at Cameley Lodge in November this year shows why it was so successful.Some had worked on the new

runway at Filton which had to be especially designed for the first supersonic passenger plane, Concorde - when no one knew how long it would need to stop.Others worked on the Second

Severn Crossing including new member Gareth Howells, who had also looked after marketing for the region. The Eagle Star headquarters

was another massive job.

These days hypermarkets are commonplace in our towns and cities, but few would guess that the first ones were built by John Laing and that the pioneering supermarket company in the UK was the French giant Carrefore. Following successful construction at Minworth in the Midlands, the Company built a second at Cribbs Causeway

near Bristol, managed by Ron Flowers, who also attended the luncheon.Richard Boobier had to order

some of the plant for that project, including hiring a massive British Airways helicopter. He said: “When I sent the order through to BA, I used the same terminology we would use for other plant when we didn’t want any extras: ‘British Airways, supply one helicopter with fuel oils, driver and grease’. I later discovered they found this very funny and framed it for their office wall.”A lovely day - which included

a wonderful luncheon, updates from guests, the AGM and a raffle - was had by all.


Just one of the tables of memorabilia from the South West club’s 30 years.

The South West Committee in the 80s with guest Lady Stephanie Laing

Sadly we could not fit all 50 members into the picture on the day.


MAIN NEWSRETIREMENT CLUBS

Club eventsCUMBRIAMonthly meetings at Wigton Road Methodist Hall in Carlisle CA2 7ES.

December 14Christmas Luncheon at the Greenhill Hotel, Wigton (CA7 8LS).

ELSTREEWeekly meetings St Michael and All Angels Church Hall, Tuesday 2.30pm.

January 10New Year luncheon at the Toby Carvery, Borehamwood (WD6 5JY).

LNERDecember 8Christmas Lunch at the Assembly Rooms in Newcastle, Fenkle Street (NE1 5XU).

NORTH WESTDecember 6Christmas Luncheon at Mytton Fold (BB6 8AB).

REALMonthly meetings at Allum Hall, Borehamwood.

December 14Christmas Luncheon at Mill Hill Golf Club (NW7 3AL).January - NO MEETING

February 1Annual General Meeting and a film from the John Laing Archives.

March 1 Fish and Chips lunch followed by a quiz.

April 5 Musical Quiz hosted by Chris Day.

REALMDecember 5Christmas lunch & club’s 30th Anniversary celebration at Ansty Hall (CV7 9HZ).

March 15 2017 (TBC) AGM afternoon meeting to include tea and cakes. In the upper room of the Methodist

Church, Solihull (B91 1LG).

SALTIREMonthly meetings at St. Stephen’s Church, Glasgow.

January 10 New Year Lunch, Millennium Hotel in Glasgow (G2 1DS).

February 14Yvonne Waring gives an insight to aspects and stories from her time in amateur dramatics.

March 14New club member Bob Reid will talk about The St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie.

SOLAREDecember 7Christmas Lunch at the Reigate Manor Hotel, Reigate Hill (RH2 9PF).

SOUTH WESTJanuary 12 (2017)New Year Lunch at Brent House, Brent Knoll (TA9 4HL).

February 9 (2017)Lunch and skittles at the Woodbrough Inn, Winscombe (BS25 1HD).

March 15 (2017)South Coast Lunch at the Sun Inn, Dorchester (DT2 7RZ).

A picture from Solare’s leisurely boat trip which included a lovely lunch.

The Christmas Markets at Edinburgh where Cumbria club organised this year’s club shopping trip.

MAIN NEWS


RETIREMENT CLUBS

ContactsCUMBRIAAlan Crowthert: 01228-528887 e: [email protected]

ELSTREEDoreen Butterfieldt: 020 8959 8324e: c/o [email protected]

LNER (North East)Brian Coppent: 01670 717488 e:[email protected]

NORTH WESTDave Markallt: 07787 744392 e: [email protected]

REAL (Nth London)John Steedont: 01438 229408e: [email protected]

REALM (Midlands) Roy Gillt: 0121 711 1802 e: [email protected]

SALTIRE (SCOTLAND) Andy Waringt: 01698 427504 e: [email protected]

SOLARE (SW LONDON)Bill Blamiret: 01737 553174 (Email c/o Chairman Les Hillman) e: [email protected]

SOUTH WEST Geoff Luckettt: 01934 843077 e: [email protected]

CLU

B C

ON

TAC

TS

Welfare: Mrs Heather CunninghamT: 020 8959 9863 / M:07920 020024Clubs & REN: Mr Alex FinkenrathT- 01234 313055 / M: 07921 831780

General enquiries: Mrs Teresa Pettican. T - 020 7901 3231JLCT Office: 33 Bunns Lane, Mill Hill, London, NW7 2DX.

Those wishing to pay their respectsWE often hear from readers who found out too late that a friend or former colleague had died.

As a quarterly magazine, it is not possible to guarantee that we can update people in time for funerals should they wish to attend.

However, there are ways to make sure you are kept up-to-date more quickly.

Firstly, there are the retirement clubs which not only send out regular newsletters, but also email updates to members which often include the sad news of funeral arrangements for former friends and colleagues.

However, you do not have to join any of the clubs for updates

as they are frequently updated on the Laingpastandpresent website.

This is a free, safe and secure website restricted to the Company which also provides news updates among a host of features.

One of the most popular is ‘Where are they now?’.

This is a safe and secure means of re-establishing contact with former colleagues - but only if those former colleagues also wish to reestablish contact.

Registering is simple, just visit: www.laingpastandpresent.co.uk and follow the instructions. If you have any problems contact Teresa Pettican at the JLCT office.

JLCT Contacts Summer lunch dates & venues 2017Knowing how well organised club members are, here are the President’s Day summer luncheon dates for your diaries:Monday June 5 – South West - Beechfield House, nr Chippenham.Tuesday June 6 – Elstree - Grovefield House, Slough.Wednesday June 7 - REAL - Grovefield House, Slough.Thursday June 8 – Solare - Stancliff Hall, nr Gatwick.Monday June 12 – LNER - Beamish Hall, nr Darlington.Tuesday June 13 – Saltire - Norton House, Edinburgh.Wednesday June 14 - Cumbria - Armathwaite Hall, Keswick.Thursday June 15 - North West- Gibbon Bridge Hotel, nr Preston.Friday June 16 - REALM - Dunchurch Parks, nr Coventry.


MAIN NEWS

John & Sandra GilkisonGolden Wedding October 8, 2016THIS was a match truly made at John Laing on John’s most memorable contract with the Company at Chancery Lane.

His boss Norman Levitt left his sandwiches at home one day which were brought in by his daughter.

During her short time on site, John had managed to ask her out to meet that same night. Mr Levitt was not best pleased at the time! John and Sandra are pictured at St Margaret’s Church Rainham, Kent at their wedding and 50 years on.

ANNIVERSARIES AND BIRTHDAYS

Ted & Mavis DrinkwaterDiamond WeddingOctober 27, 2016TED and Mavis didn’t like each other when they met at Kingstown School aged 10 or 11.

The young boy, who would go on to be a stone mason for John Laing for just shy of 50 years, had to sit next to Mavis because he sometimes played up in class, and she was well behaved.

The headmaster even joked that they would be Mr and Mrs Drinkwater. However, when Ted no longer had to sit beside Mavis, he decided to stay where he was.

The couple received a card from HM the Queen celebrated at a dinner with family and then a short break at Armathwaite Hall.

Diamond - 60

Golden - 50

August 18Edward & June Finn

September 22 Peter & Josephine

Westwood

READERS’ SPECIAL BIRTHDAYS

August 6Graham & Jill Shepard

September 10Terry & Linda WatsonClive & Jean Rushton

September 17 Rob and Annette Laird

September 24Alan & Carol Riley

October 1Mick & Shirley Ballard

Mike & Anne Askew

October 8Tony & Sue Pott

October 15John & Sheila Parry

Tony found a true Diamond

Still in class of their very own

Tony & Audrey DixonDiamond WeddingNovember 3, 2016TONY and Audrey met at the dancehall in Carlisle and haven’t looked back in more than 60 years.

He was a brickie’s labourer before manning the machines for during19-and-a-half years there.

The couple still live in Carlisle and Tony reckons the secret of

their happiness lies with the fact that he found such a wonderful loving wife who looks after him.

The couple have a daughter, two grand children and two great grandchildren and celebrated their anniversary with an early turkey and tinsel break.

A case of love at first site!

Blue Sapphire - 65August 25

Paul & Beryl Marley

September 1 Fred & Betty Thorley

September 12Dilys & Denis Riley

CLOSING DATE FOR NEXT ISSUE’S ANNIVERSARY DETAILS IS JANUARY 31, 2017

August 24Chris Hendy

September 14Harold Talbot

October 1Sterling Vassall

October 27Stan Hutton

October 15David Brown

October 26Jossie & Edna Robson

August 11 John Leslie

95th 90th

Platinum - 70

MAIN NEWS


BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

Perfect harmony for this couple!Don & Joyce RidingGolden Wedding October 1, 2016DON had just started as a Pupil QS for Laing when he met Joyce at a dance in his old school.

They were married four years later. Highlights of Don’s training years included being Laing

Pupil of the Year in 1967. Don’s favourite project, was Wrexham Hospital Phase 1 where the people were a joy to work with. He became

Superintending QS and set up his own business in 1995.

Joyce is a close-harmony singer with “The Saggy Bottom Girls”. Their son is a QS with Laing O’Rourke and the couple celebrated their anniversary in the Dominican Republic.

Lena & Stan ObermanDiamond Wedding October 14, 2016Lena and Stan first met briefly at a Youth Club dance at Catford Town Hall in 1952. They met again shortly after at another dance venue. Lena was 18 and had no thoughts for an on-going relationship, but Stan would not go away. They were

married October 1956. In 1985 Lena was sent by an employment agency to spend a day in the HR Department

at Mill Hill. Whilst there Lena saw that a Secretary was needed in the Team Spirit Department. She applied and spent ten very happy years there.

They have two daughters, four grandchildren and one great grand daughter. They celebrated with a luncheon for family and friends.

Tony & Margaret O’KaneGolden WeddingOctober 1, 2016Tony and Margaret O’KaneTHE couple met at the Astoria Dance Hall in Manchester.Tony started his 45-year Laing career as a General Labourer on the Heywood Sectra project. Staying mainly around the Manchester, he finished as a Site Manager on an extension at Manchester Airport in 2008.Among a varied career, two Stockport projects in the 60s and 70s stood out for Tony. He enjoyed working on the Town Hall there, but especially cherished the Stockport Museum contract. Being presented to Princess Alexandra who officially opened the museum and shook his hand at the ceremony was the icing on the cake.The couple have two children and three grandsons and celebrated their anniversary with a party for family and friends.

Dance was pure gold

Team Spirit at home and at work

College meeting led to life togetherAlan & Jean RoundGolden Wedding September 3, 2016THE couple met when both studying at college in Shoreditch – Jean in the secretarial department and Alan in technical drawing.They were married 1972 and Alan embarked on his 38-year career with John Laing, working for

a firm sub-contacted to do the internal walls on the Barbican.Once on the books with Laing, he worked

his way through to contracts/project manager with Holloway White Allom. He particularly enjoyed working on historical buildings including Greenwich Royal Naval College (a listed monument).The couple have two daughters and four grandchildren.

George & Muriel BoydGolden Wedding October 15, 2016

THE couple met in 1961 at a dance in their village.

George spent a total of 40 years as a Brickie with John Laing in three spells. They celebrated with a party for family and friends (including their

son and daughter and four granddaughters).

There were no presents, but guests raised more than £500 for the Royal Artillery Charitable Fund.

Couple make presents felt for charity


MAIN NEWS

Report warns of bus pass issues

NEWS FOR THE THIRD AGE

Now text to block callsA SIMPLE free new way to register your number against nuisance calls has been introduced by the Telephone Preference Society (TPS).

You can simply text ‘TPS’ followed by your email address to the organisation and it will add you to the register for blocking unwanted texts, calls and emails.

The number to text to is: 85095.

Within 28 days of registration, you should notice a reduction in nuisance correspondence. You can add extra numbers at the TPS website:

www.tpsonline.org.uk

Oldest poppy sellerBritain’s oldest Royal British Legion poppy seller is Walter Wally Randall from Leighton Buzzard.

The 101-year-old World War Two veteran was born in the village of Wing, Buckingham on September 8, 1915. He has been selling poppies for the Royal British Legion in Leighton Buzzard since the early 1950s.

Warnings over mattress sellers

Wally from Leighton Buzzard

Pharmacy flu jabsAll adults aged 65 and over can receive a free NHS flu jab at community pharmacies again this year for convenience.

Pharmacists will be offering the same flu vaccination as those offered by NHS doctors, and patients’ GP practices will be notified that they have received their jab.

In England 595,467 flu vaccinations were provided to patients in pharmacies last year.

The last dates for general postage deliveries in the UK in time for Christmas 2016 are as follows:n Tuesday, December 20 - 2nd Class and 2nd Class Signed Forn Wednesday, December 21 - 1st Class and 1st Class Signed Forn Thursday, December 22 - Special Delivery Guaranteedn Friday, December 23 - Special Delivery Guaranteed

Granny invents emojies for oldies

A SPATE of traders selling mattresses door-to-door has prompted a warning from the Local Government Association (LGA).

Scam traders have been repackaging dirty mattresses or imported ones without the proper safety certificates for sale. They are often in popular brand wrapping.

Some sellers pretend a local hotel is selling them. The LGA has warned people not to buy any mattresses offered for sale at your door.

with Saturday deliverySome exceptions apply

to the Special Delivery Guaranteed with Saturday Delivery option. Visit the Royal Mail website or ask in your Post Office for details.

The last Christmas posting dates

Pensioners in rural areas risk being isolated due to cuts in bus services according to research by the Local Government As-sociation (LGA).It claims the number of miles driven by council-subsidised buses in England (excluding

London) dropped 12% last year.The LGA also says local author-ities have been diverting money from subsidised bus services to fund the gap in the Conces-sionary Fares Scheme, which councils have a statutory duty to provide.

A Grandmother was fed up at not being able to express issues faced by older people in her text messages and so created her own graphics. Diane Hill from Coventry hopes her ‘emoldjies’ will gain official approval. Users could soon see designs including: ‘spending the kids’ inheritance’ (pictured left) and someone peering disapprovingly over their glasses.

Plans to change debt advice bodyTHE Government plans to replace the Money Advice Service (MAS) with a new, streamlined, money guidance body, and bring together the Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) and Pension Wise into a new, pension guidance body. Plans for the new body are currently being finalised and a consultation document will be released soon on the Government website. You can find it by going to: www.gov.uk and then seaching ‘consultations’.

MAIN NEWS


IN MEMORIAM

Peter Cartwright, formerly Regional Purchasing Manager, Yorkshire Region, died 5 September. He was 80 and retired in 1992 after 32 years’ service.

Harry Clapham, formerly Managing Director, Ground Engineering, died 7 October. He was 88 and retired in 1986 after 33 years’ service.

Edward Deane, formerly Site Manager, JL Construction, died 12 August. He was 88 and retired in 1989 after 33 years’ service.

George Dixon, formerly Commercial Manager, Scottish Region, died 28 August. He was 87 and retired in 1991 after 46 years’ service.

Brian Holder, formerly Storeman, Ground Engineering, died 7 August. He was 85 and retired in 1993 after 40 years’ service.

Ivor Johnson, formerly Caretaker/Maintenance, Laing Properties, died 12 August. He was 92 and retired in 1987 after 13 years’ service.

Philip Jones, formerly Senior Design Engineer, JLDA, died 18 September. He was 99 and retired in 1981 after 16 years’ service.

Tom McKinney, formerly Regional Accountant, Laing Scotland, died 10 September. He was 78 and retired in 1995 after 30 years’ service.

John Mitton, formerly Principle Scientist, Laing Technology, died 31 October. He was 86 and retired in 1988 after 24 years’ service.

Albert Notman, formerly Site Manager, Laing London, died 30 August. He was 85 and retired in 1995 after 30 years’ service.

Jean Randall, formerly Credit Controller, SBD, died 9 October. She was 89 and retired in 1987 after 19 years’ service.

Keith Scott, formerly Estimating Manager, Laing Homes Special Projects, died 23 October. He was 81 and retired in 1994 after 39 years’ service.

In Memoriam

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