OLD SOUTHERONIANS’ ASSOCIATION - BTPF...However, during August 2016, Charing Cross services will resume calling at London Bridge whilst those to Cannon Street will cease calling

Page 1 of 12

Chairman’s Message

Dear Colleagues

“Times – they are a’changing!” So says Bob Dylan in his well-known sixties song. And changing they are, by the next newsletter we may be in or out of the European Union, summer should be a few degrees warmer and sea levels rising fractionally across the globe. Who, a hundred years ago, would have imagined communications, technology and transport would have moved on so fast – I find it difficult at times to keep up with it!

For the Sussex Branch times are changing too, there has been a noticeable drop in attendances at Social Gatherings, with only 21 people attending Newhaven on 10 May. A large amount of food went to waste – but still had to be paid for. I would like to see this declining trend reversed so please make every effort to attend – and don’t forget the complimentary buffet. If attendance continues to decline, then the whole concept of Social Gatherings will have to be reviewed. As the well-known phrase says - “Use it or lose it”.

Spring is changing to Summer – trees are taking on all hues of green and gardens are beginning to provide a riot of colour but, on the down side, the lawn has to be mown more often and the weeds grow quicker. Enjoy the summer and endeavour to get out and appreciate it! Wishing you a pleasant and healthy season

Brian Read – Chairman, Sussex Branch

Old Southeronians’ Association – Sussex Branch AGM

The Sussex Branch AGM was held at Hassocks Hotel, Hassocks on 12 April 2016 and included a raffle and the auction of the book, “LB&SCR Table of Distances 1901”, which Fred Stevens kindly donated to the branch. The winning bid was made by Charlie Verrall and the proceeds donated to branch funds. Thanks go to Fred for the donation and to Charlie for the bid.

Some 41 members attended and, after the introductions and apologies, the minutes of the 2015 AGM were accepted and signed. After this, the Chairman asked all to stand for a moment in memory of members who had passed away during the year.

The Chairman also advised that the current Newsletter Editor will be unable to continue after his term ends in April 2017 and stated that a replacement volunteer was needed urgently – or it is possible the Newsletter could cease altogether.

OLD SOUTHERONIANS’ ASSOCIATION

SUSSEX BRANCH

NEWSLETTER - SUMMER 2016

Page 2 of 12

He further added that Visits, Social Gatherings and Rambles were all well attended during the year as were the Annual and Ramblers’ Lunches at Cooden Beach and thanked the Committee and other helpers for their contributions during the year, without which, the branch would not be able to continually offer such a diverse programme of activities as it currently does.

Both Joan Farmer and Alan Pitt had decided to retire from the Committee and were both presented with a thank you card and gift. Volunteers are sought from members to join the Committee to help ensure the ongoing success of the branch.

The Treasurer reported that our finances were slightly better than last year partially due to postage costs of the Newsletter being reduced by utilisation of a franking machine arrangement with one of our members.

The Membership Secretary reported that two of our members had benefited this year from the Welfare Fund and that we had 451 members in the Branch, a reduction of around twenty from last year. He also stated that three of the seven Branches were in terminal decline due to lack of members and volunteers for Branch Officers posts.

Towards the end of the meeting one of the Account Examiners proposed a vote of thanks to the Treasurer for his clear and methodical presentation of the accounts for examining, and another member enquired as to the situation on purchasing Privilege tickets with the proposal to withdraw booking office staff and conductors on trains. This situation will be investigated.

Following refreshments, David Porter gave us a talk on his work, Fraud Prevention, and gave a detailed insight into how fraudsters infiltrate your personal life with fraudulent issues and how you can prevent this. He will supply information to combat fraud which will be available to all on request. Members may recall that David spoke to us two years ago about his house above Clayton Tunnel.

Dates for your Diary A reminder of events coming up in the next few months. New/Amended items are shown in Bold type. The full calendar was shown in the Winter 2015 issue.

Date Event Place Time

Thurs 9 June Social Gathering Lancing Starts at 11.00

Tues 21 June Outing IOW Steam Railway

12.17 train from Smallbrook Jn

Thurs 30 June Ramble Bognor Regis Meet at 11.00

Tues 5 July Social Gathering Bognor Regis Starts at 10.45

Thurs 28 July New Forest Ramble Brockenhurst Meet at 11.00

Thurs 4 Aug Social Gathering Hassocks Starts at 11.00

Tues 16 Aug Royal Hospital Visit Chelsea Starts at 13.30

Thurs 25 Aug Ramble Ifield Circular Meet at 11.15

Tues 6 Sept Social Gathering Hampden Park Starts at 10.45

Page 3 of 12

OSA Rambles 2016 Rambles will take place on the last Thursday of each month from April to October. Details for the first Rambles of the year are shown below. Mobile phone numbers are shown for emergency contact on the day of the Ramble only.

Date Venue Leader Contact No:

Thurs 30 June Bognor Regis Ron Jones 01273-504581 (Home) 07530 361748 (Mobile)

Meet at Bognor Regis Station at 11.00 for an easy 3 mile circular walk via Precinct, Seafront and Hotham Park. Toilets available on the walk.

Train Times:

Haywards Heath D 09.26 Three Bridges A 09.34 Change

Three Bridges D 09.44 Bognor Regis A 10.44

Horsham D 10.02 Bognor Regis A 10.44

Brighton D 10.03 Barnham A 10.42 Change

Barnham D 10.52 Bognor Regis A 11.00

Date Venue Leader Contact No:

Thurs 28 July New Forest Circular

Ed Morgan 02392-385161 (Home) 07927-111696 (Mobile)

Meet at Brockenhurst station at 11.00 for a level 3.5 mile edge of forest walk. Toilets, lifts and refreshments are available at the station but there are NO TOILETS available on the walk!

Train Times:

Haywards Heath D 08.30 Brighton A 08.50 Change

Horsham D 09.00 Barnham A 09.26 Change

Barnham D 09.37 Southampton A 10.40 Change

Brighton D 08.59 Southampton A 10.40 Change

Southampton D 10.45 Brockenhurst A 10.58

Date Venue Leader Contact No:

Thurs 25 Aug Ifield Circular Jim Noakes 01403-263630 (Home) 07517-929434 (Mobile)

Meet at Ifield station (Downside exit) at 11.15 for a level 3 mile walk to Ifield Mill and return. There is an option to return to Crawley by bus. There are no toilets on the walk!

Train Times:

Brighton D 10.05 Three Bridges A 10.34 Change

Haywards Heath D 10.19 Three Bridges A 10.34 Change

Three Bridges D 10.54 Ifield A 11.00

Barnham D 10.18 Horsham A 10.45

Horsham D 11.00 Ifield A 11.09

Page 4 of 12

Membership Matters

News of Members We are currently 456 strong, comprising 325 Life Members, 1 Honorary Member, 63 Spouses and 67 non-contributing Members with whom we have lost contact.

Arrivals We are pleased to welcome the following members to the Sussex Branch and look forward to seeing them at our events. Mrs V.C. Benham of Keymer, formerly Brighton SMO W.J. May of Eastbourne, formerly DTSO Nottingham & Relief SM, S.E Division J.F. Mewett of St. Leonards-on-Sea, formerly Network Rail (South) R. Wood of Shoreham-by-Sea, formerly Brighton Retail D.Wrein formerly Guards Training, Barnham.

Connections We are pleased to say that we have regained contact with Brian Brazier of Billingshurst (CM&EE Croydon), having heard from him recently.

Departures (Deceased) N.P. Anderson of Three Bridges, R.Butt of Littlehampton Ms P. Harding of Chessington and H. Illman of Worthing We also record the passing of Arthur Burton, formerly SM Eastbourne.

Departures (Resignation) J. Baker of Emsworth.

Lost Contact Sadly we have lost contact with the following members: Mrs K.R. Appleford & Mrs M. Ballard of Tunbridge Wells, Mrs J. Barber of Tonbridge, Mrs W. Cox of East Peckham, N.G. Beale of Portslade, R.G.F. Carter of Burgess Hill, D.J. Cates & W.P. Craddock of Bexhill, D.W.A. Cole of Tunbridge Wells, D. Copping of Polegate, Mrs M.J. Dunford of Hove, Mrs J. Earl of Lewes, T.J. Edwards of Horsham.

Should any colleague be aware of their present circumstances, would they please get in touch with the Membership Secretary?

Mileposts

Diamond Wedding Anniversaries Our congratulations to Margaret & Donald Boxall of Portslade who celebrate their Golden Wedding anniversary on 23 June.

Golden Wedding Anniversaries Our congratulations also to Valerie & Peter Benham who celebrate their Golden Wedding anniversary on 23 June. Frederick & Edna Nolson of Aldwick, Bognor also celebrated their anniversary on 16 April.

Page 5 of 12

Birthdays Congratulations to the following, who will have attained 90 years of age – or more as their birthdays fall between April and June of this year:

K.C. Briggs, F.T. Bunnin, B.C.G. Burgener, Mrs E. Burn, Mrs M.J. Card, Mrs D.L. Chilton, J.G. Goss, A.S.F. Grassi, D.W.L. Griffiths, N. Hardcastle, Mrs E. Kefford, F.G. Lacy, R.W. Lyons, Mrs V.E. Randall, Mrs P.M. Roberts, Mrs J.M. Saunders, C.F. Shorten, D. Simmonds, F.R. Stevens, D.A. Tutton, A.J. Willett W. Worrall, Mrs B. Young.

Electronic Mailing Whilst attempts have been made to rectify detected shortcomings in our system, should members still be experiencing difficulty, kindly let our Membership Secretary know at: [email protected].

Association Matters It is pleasing to note that the Welfare Committee have again been able to give a measure of financial support to a newly-joined widowed Sussex member towards funeral expenses. This should serve to remind Members that a measure of financial support could be forthcoming where other situations of need may arise.

Travel News

Privilege Rate Oyster Cards on London Underground

Members are reminded that Privilege Rate Oyster Cards need to be

revalidated once you receive your new Staff Travel Card for 2016/2017. With

the closure of all TfL Ticket Offices, this can now be done at any of the ticket

machines at TfL stations by the member of the TfL staff on duty. You cannot

update the details yourself.

Bluebell Railway

The Bluebell Railway have advised that they are now offering a 50% privilege

rate on Standard 3rd Class fares on production of RST Staff Travel Card – you

do not need to date a box for this. The discounted fares will not be available

for 1st Class Upgrades, on Special Event Days or on Dining Trains.

National Rail Network: Temporary Line Closures If you’re planning your Summer holidays and intend travelling by rail, you need to be aware of major engineering works taking place around the network.

Works at London Bridge in connection with the Thameslink scheme are ongoing. However, during August 2016, Charing Cross services will resume calling at London Bridge whilst those to Cannon Street will cease calling there. This will remain the situation until the scheme is completed in 2018.

As a result of adverse weather during the last Winter period, the lines between Folkestone Central and Dover and also Appleby and Carlisle remain closed until further notice whilst major repairs are carried out.

Page 6 of 12

The line between Didcot Parkway and Oxford/Banbury will be closed throughout from Didcot to Banbury from 30 July – 7 August and between Didcot and Oxford only from 7 – 14 August.

No trains will serve Glasgow Queen Street High Level station from Sunday 20 March – Sunday 7 August inclusive as part of the Edinburgh – Glasgow route improvement scheme.

From 12 September to 21 October, the railway between Bristol Parkway, Severn Tunnel Junction and Filton Abbey Wood will be closed while Network Rail carry out preparation work for the electrification of Patchway and Severn tunnels.

In all cases you are advised to consult National Rail Enquiries for details.

Transport for London: Station Closure The Bakerloo Line station at Paddington is closed from 2 April to 28 August inclusive for improvement works in connection with CrossRail.

MATINÉE CLUB Details of theatre offers in London, Chichester and sometimes elsewhere, are sent out by email free of charge, or by post for which a small contribution of second class stamps would be much appreciated. All Matinée club offers allow you to bring friends and family with you, subject only to the occasional age restriction. Do contact Claire if you would like to join our mailing list.

As far as other local theatres in Sussex are concerned, they are much more difficult to book as either they charge booking fees, or do not allow a long lead time for groups to book etc. So we tend to concentrate on London shows as these are much more “group-friendly”.

Page 7 of 12

Contact Claire Wickes at the address below.

For all Excursion and Matinée Club Bookings, please send separate cheques for each event payable to “Old Southeronians Association–Sussex Branch” together with separate SAE’s, your phone number and email address (if you have one) in case of query to: Claire Wickes, 85 Larkspur Drive, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 0UL. Tel: 01444-246379 Email: [email protected]

Outings

ROYAL HOSPITAL CHELSEA - Tuesday 16 August 2016

We have just a few spaces remaining on our visit to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, home of the Chelsea Pensioners on 16 August. The price is: £8.00 per person (adults and seniors alike), for a two-hour walking tour commencing at 13.30hrs, followed by optional refreshments at your own expense.

Do let Claire know if you would like to join the group, or be on the waiting list if we get over-subscribed.

The Royal Hospital Chelsea is also, of course, the location of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which reminded me of this poem by Brian Allgar:

Apple Blossom Time He had an apple for his lunch, a Cox’s Orange Pippin. He ate the core, the pips and all, but then it gave him gyp in His stomach. It went on for days; he thought he’d better nip in To see the doctor. “Hmm”, said he, “I think I’ll have to slip in

A probe to see what’s going on.” He checked the large intestine: An apple tree was growing there that birds had built their nest in. He fixed a chainsaw to the probe and somehow got it pressed in, But nothing could dislodge the tree that pigeons now had messed in.

The branches sprouted through the skin, and buds began to grow. The tree grew tall, the patient died. He’s been embalmed, and so His family now waits for Spring, and blossom white as snow - They’re hoping that the corpse will win the Chelsea Flower Show.

BRIGHTON i360 - Monday 26 September 2016 (provisional date) Recent visitors to Brighton may have seen that construction of the British Airways i360 viewing tower is well advanced, as it is hoped to open this August. It is located on the seafront opposite the ruins of the West Pier and adjacent to the West Pier Toll House. The tower is 574 feet high; the world’s first vertical cable car, rotating 360 degrees to give excellent views of the Sussex coast and countryside.

We are waiting to hear if our provisional booking for a group visit on the afternoon of the above date is taking place, or an alternative date offered.

The visit will comprise group admission and ascent of the tower, and tea/coffee and cake, either in the restaurants at the foot of the tower or in the

Page 8 of 12

West Pier toll house (seen to the right of picture below). Estimated cost is £16.25 per person for seniors or £17.50 for those under 60.

Please book places with Claire as soon as possible, by email or post, and let her have your phone number and/or email address so she can firm up the arrangements when known.

Artist’s impression.

- if applying by email, just let us know how many places you would like, and Claire will request your payment when the exact price and date are settled.

- if applying by post, please send an SAE and cheque for the places required at the provisional price. If the price differs from those quoted above, any difference will be refunded or requested on the day (you may of course cancel if the date or price is no longer OK for you).

As the opening date is still unknown, and there is already some doubt in the media that it will be ready when originally planned, we may need a contingency plan! So, if you aren't available for the provisional date of 26th September, but would like to join in should the date have to be changed to a later one, please also let Claire know this so you can be included. Either way, Claire will liaise with the venue and keep informed everyone who has let her know they would like to join her group. As ever, any cheques sent to her will not be banked until the date is fixed and you have confirmed it is convenient for you.

-

Visit to Poppy Factory in Richmond

A happy group of 30 people visited the Poppy Factory on 14 April, and saw the production lines for poppies, crosses and wreaths to be used at this November's Remembrance Day events. Everyone had a chance to make a poppy for themselves and visit the production line to understand the systems in place.

Page 9 of 12

Every poppy is hand-made, and many millions are produced every year by the ex-serviceman workforce at this factory in Richmond, Surrey. We had a very interesting talk about the history of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance since the end of WW1, and learned about the traditions of the wreaths laid by the Royal Family and the other participants. Most importantly, it taught us of the efforts made to find meaningful employment for injured service personnel, and the chance to chat to some of them.

News from our local Preserved Railways

Bluebell Railway The Branch Line Gala was unfortunately cancelled after the withdrawal of the planned visit by LNWR Webb Coal Tank 1054. A successful Diesel Gala operated in partnership with GB Railfreight who celebrate their 15th anniversary this year took place in April. An Evening Songs of Praise event will take on Sunday 10 July at Kingscote Station Special trains will depart from Sheffield Park at 17.15, Horsted Keynes at 17.30 and East Grinstead at 18.15. The service, will be led by Father John from St Giles Horsted Keynes and Chaplain to the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society. Return train services depart from Kingscote at 19.30 to East Grinstead, Horsted Keynes and Sheffield Park. The evening train service is free of charge with donations split between St Giles and the Bluebell Railway.

Mid-Hants Railway Upcoming events include “War on the Line” on 11/12 June, the “Alton Bus Rally” on 17 July and the “Summer Fare” on 23/24 July.

Spa Valley Railway A Summer Steam Festival will take place on 2/3 July with the main feature being a collection of steam road vehicles in the car park at Eridge station.

Main Line Steam in Kent & Sussex (plus the Redhill – Guildford line) Rail tours with planned steam haulage for at least part of their itinerary in the next 3 months are listed below. The information is given in good faith and is subject to change or cancellation. Check on www.uksteam.info/tours for further information.

The Belmond British Pullman (VSOE) is currently scheduled to run from Victoria via Staines– Guildford – Redhill – Victoria on the following dates and is due to be hauled by A1 60163 Tornado:- Sat 18 June; Sat 23 July; Fri 12 August.

Weds 1 June 60103 Victoria – Guildford – Redhill - Victoria

Sun 24 July 61306 Victoria – Faversham – Whitstable – Canterbury & Return

Page 10 of 12

Down The Memory Line!

Member’s Contributions

Memories from the Past – Part 2 Having flown to Singapore in 1956 for National Service as a Radio Mechanic and serving in Base Flight at RAF Seletar for two weeks, I was informed that I had been incorrectly posted and was being transferred from West to East Camp to serve in 205/209 Squadron where I should have been sent in the first place! West Camp housed a Sunderland flying boat base on the shores of the Straits of Johor, which separate Singapore Island from Malaya. To access aircraft anchored offshore a number of RAF launches operated from a pier.

Routine maintenance was undertaken whilst flying boats were “at anchor” but for major overhaul, one Sunderland each week was towed to shallow water where “legs” (stanchions with a wheel at one end) were bolted on each side of the fuselage before a steerable trolley was attached to the tail end of the hull to enable the aircraft to be towed up the slipway or if necessary steered into the hanger. This task, and that of cleaning and painting the hull, was undertaken by all trades.

As pockets of Communist Terrorists (CT’s) were still active in the Malayan jungle on the opposite shore, at RAF Seletar night guard duty generally consisted of 4 hour shifts manning one of the tower mounted searchlights lining the shore to rake the Straits of Johor during the hours of darkness - a rather unpleasant task as the beams of light attracted a myriad of flying insects. This was not the case on 205/209 Squadron where individual members were scheduled to guard each moored aircraft and undertake routine tasks prior to sleeping onboard and being picked up by launch the following morning.

After allocation of a .303 rifle and ammunition and being ferried by launch to the allocated Sunderland, those on duty were required to pump out bilges, fill up the toilet header tank and charge the aircraft’s batteries. The latter tasks involved climbing out onto the starboard wing dropping a section of the leading edge to form a small platform, supported by two wire stays, on which to stand to pull the starter cord on a generator mounted inside the wing section.

The main purpose of the Squadron was that of search and rescue but Sunderlands were also used in scheduled bombing runs, transporting troops,

Page 11 of 12

if required, and occasionally ferrying Sultans and other dignitaries. The most common distress calls were from ships in mid ocean requesting medical help for a crew member who was seriously ill (more often than not acute appendicitis) and very occasionally to search for crashed aircraft and crew. If medical help was required a fully equipped RAF Doctor accompanied the Sunderland and if there was a pick up the casualty was subsequently ferried by launch to the Hospital at Changi.

Occasionally there were distress calls of a different nature such as that from the crew of a Japanese fishing boat who were clinging to their half-submerged boat which was gradually sinking after having struck a reef off Nantuna Island about 350 miles north east of Singapore. In response, a Sunderland took off at 07.30 hrs but unfortunately due to bad weather and heavy seas was unable to land and could only drop an inflatable dingy with accessories to support the men until one of six ships in the area were able to reach them. A dinghy used for such purposes was contained in a cylinder clamped to one of the bomb racks, which ran out under each wing, and released as if on a bombing raid. A small parachute stabilized its decent and upon hitting the water a tablet dissolved releasing the firing pin on a compressed air cylinder to automatically inflate the dinghy. The dinghy on that occasion was the largest made and contained food, purification tablets (to enable seawater to be transformed for drinking purposes) and radio equipment. Home comforts were also included, playing cards, 500 cigarettes and various sweets!

Seas around Malaya were generally calm but there was one memorable occasion when abnormally rough weather caused havoc, which I will relate in the next Newsletter.

David Joyce

175th Anniversary of Haywards Heath station To mark this occasion a celebration weekend is planned for 17 & 18 September 2016 with a huge number of events taking place at various locations in the town. The weekend of historical celebration will bring together our community including clubs, societies, schools, businesses and the people of Haywards Heath. The partners and supporters of this event include Network Rail, Southern Railway, Haywards Heath Town Council, Mid-Sussex DC and West Sussex CC. A Victorian theme is planned for the weekend and it is hoped that all those involved will turn out in Victorian costumes. Amongst planned activities there will be a Grand Procession, a Steam Engine, together with Bluebell Stepney, a Victorian Fun Fair, railway exhibitions, train rides, a big film screen, live battles, art displays, competitions, stalls and a horse and carriage. For more information please consult local newspapers or http://www.haywardsheathlive.org.uk/175th-anniversary-celebrations/

Page 12 of 12

Chairman Brian Read Tel: 01903-200201

Autumn 2016 Newsletter

Please ensure that anything you wish to submit for the next issue of the Newsletter reaches the Editor before Friday 12 August 2016.

Alan Taylor

Branch Secretary Jim Noakes Tel: 01403-263630

Thought for the Month - MARRIAGE MARRIAGE is a relationship where one person is always RIGHT and the other is the HUSBAND!

Treasurer Tony Hobden Tel: 01903-501533

My travels in old age

I have travelled to many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently you can't go there alone, you have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I've also never been in Cognito; though I hear no-one recognises you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have trains or planes, you have to be driven there, and my family often drive me to it.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump to it, and I'm not that fit nowadays.

I have also been in Doubt, but it's a sad place to go and I try not to visit too often.

I've been in Flexible, and saw my doctor about that.

One of my favourite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenaline flowing and the heart pumping, such an exciting place.

I haven't yet been in Continent, but I hear it's an age thing.

Sometimes I've been in Capable, and I seem to go there more often as I'm getting older.

Membership Secretary John Buckland Tel: 01892-655926

Newsletter Editor Alan Taylor Tel: 01444-248712

Committee Members

Alun Jones Ron Jones

David Joyce Steven Saunders

Gerald Summerfield Claire Wickes