Employees’ News spri… · Team Spirit Past 10-13 Snippets of news from 25 and 50 years ago. Meet the new members 15-17 Reports from the festive luncheons and an introduction to

SPRING 2015

Employees’

NewsRetired

Platinum WeddingsTwo couples who are marking 70 years of marriage.

Old colleaguesMeet the readers who have joined retirement clubs.

Important updatesSocial care, power of attorney, Tell Us Once and more.

2 John Laing Retired Employees’ NEWS

Main news

CONTENTS

Company news 3-5 Round up of top stories from John Laing.

John Laing tourism? 6How Laing SA virtually founded the tourist

industry in one part of Spain.

End-of-life planning 7Special feature on what you need to know

regarding lasting power of attorney.

Readers’ news 8-9Mystery faces, updates and the story of a man

who retained his Laing ticket for 25 years.

Team Spirit Past 10-13Snippets of news from 25 and 50 years ago.

Meet the new members 15-17Reports from the festive luncheons and an

introduction to new retirement club members. Club news 18-19Events and news from the clubs including

a celebration of the famous club raffles.

Your anniversaries 20-21Two pages of special anniversaries.

News for the Third Age 22Social care, pension changes and general news.

In Memoriam 23

Retirees adapt in our ‘disposable society’THERE is nothing more satisfying for me and the John Laing Charitable Trust than to know that our efforts in producing this magazine bear fruit.As well as ensuring that John Laing retirees can stay in touch with each other and remember past achievements, we aim to make sure that readers are aware of changes which affect them in the wider world. So when a welfare officer called to say that a woman in his area was about to take delivery of a new boiler for free, following an article in the last issue, it was great news for everyone involved.Other useful articles in this issue concern a new initiative aimed at taking the stress out of making a plan for how you would like your financial and/or medical affairs to be handled in the event that you lose capacity to make those decisions yourself, see page 7. Another very useful service, Tell Us Once, is featured on page 14 and has proved to be of great help to many who have suffered a bereavement.Readers’ help is also being sought to identify faces from the past on page 9, plus there is the usual mixture of stories from Team Spirit 25 and 50 years ago and a whole crop of new retirement club members to meet on pages 16 and 17.After the second world war, people still reused and recycled whatever they could as they had during rationing, and never let anything go to waste, we have somehow transformed into a society devoted to things which are disposable. However, as you will see on page 18, one reader has found an ingenious and artistic way to reverse that trend. Two other examples of how attitudes differ between generations cropped up at this year’s festive lunches.One diner told me of a woman aged 101 who had recently suffered a fall. Even though the fall occurred at 2.30am, she waited until 9am before pressing her alarm button, not wishing to disturb anyone too early.Another club member told how her 79-year-old son had called not long ago asking if she still had her own teeth. “Oh yes,” she told him, “Just three crowns.” Her son was slightly taken aback complaining that he didn’t have his own teeth any more, to which his mother replied: “Tough, you shouldn’t have had so much sugar when you were young.”Some things never change, however, like the mixed feedback I receive regarding the quarterly joke. In fact, one retiree caught me out at my own game this Christmas claiming his grandson had insisted that he make a noise like a frog. When he asked the young boy why, his grandson replied: “Because dad says when you croak, he’s going to take us all to Disneyland.”My story involves a man who apparently could not stop buying raffle tickets. On visiting the doctor he revealed that the problem had started shortly after he had returned from a trip to Africa. The doctor went ashen-faced and said: “I think you have contracted Tombola.”

Alex Finkenrath

PENSIONER PUBLISHINgPlease address news stories/queries to:Pensioner Publishing5 Harpenden Close, Bedford, Beds MK41 9RgTel: 01234 313055Mob: 07774 259542Email: [email protected]

Please address other correspondence to:John Laing Welfare Dept, 33 Bunns LaneLondon NW7 2DXTel: 020 8959 9683

Printed by: White Hart Press, Bedford.

COVER SHOT: Spring flowers at Mowsbury Park in Bedford.

DEADLINE FOR SPRING ISSUE: April 30, 2015

conTEnTS

coMPAnY nEwS

IN December Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) formally appointed ALTRAC Light Rail partners for the delivery and operation of Sydney’s new Central Business District (CBD) and South East Light Rail.

John Laing participates in the Australian project as equity investor together with First State Super and Acciona Concesiones.

The Sydney Light Rail Public Private Partnership is a rail infrastructure project designed to reduce congestion in Sydney and surrounding areas.

The project is split into two sections. The first comprises the design, construction, services relocations, operation and maintenance of the CBD and South East Light Rail project, a new 12-kilometre railway stretch from Circular Quay through the central business district and out to the Moore Park sporting and entertainment precinct and Randwick Racecourse.

The second involves the operation and maintenance of the existing

12km Inner West Light Rail network operating out to Dulwich Hill.

The CBD and South East Light Rail section will be constructed over a four-year period beginning in the second quarter of 2015, with 19 light rail stops along the route.

The route will be serviced by a fleet of 30 electric-powered Light Rail Vehicles with the option for TfNSW to order more during the 15-year operating period.

The new light rail network is expected to provide a significant boost of more than A$4 billion in economic benefits to the NSW economy and create 10,000 jobs.

Olivier Brousse, CEO of John Laing said: “This light rail extension project will provide a practical solution to relieving the problem of congestion in central Sydney. We are delighted that TfNSW has chosen a public private partnership to deliver the CBD and South East Light Rail, and subsequently recognised the collective expertise of the consortium to design, construct, operate, maintain and finance the project”.

The project includes significant public domain improvements including landscaping, trees, lighting, paving and street furniture.

The ALTRAC Light Rail proposal future-proofs the network and aligns with the NSW government’s plan to reduce congestion. From day one of service the new light rail will carry up to 15 per cent more passengers during peak hour and provide 33 per cent more seats across the day. The Light Rail Vehicles will be separated from other traffic to ensure timetable reliability and efficient operations. The system will be operational and carrying passengers in early 2019.

Acciona Infrastructure will deliver the design and construction role in a joint venture with Alstom Transport. Transdev will fulfil the operations and maintenance role and Capella Capital will be the asset manager.

ALTRAC Light Rail consists of Transdev Sydney, Alstom Transport Australia, Acciona Infrastructure Australia and Capella Capital.

A new light railway is latest big project for delivery down under

John Laing Retired Employees’ NEWS 3

Artist’s impression of the light rail project in Sydney’s business district


coMPAnY nEwS

Construction starts on the new Perth Stadium CONSTRUCTION has begun on the 60,000-seat new Perth Stadium and Sports Precinct.

It will be one of the leading international sports and entertainment stadiums in Australia, and is scheduled to be completed in time for the start of the 2018 AFL season.

The Westadium consortium includes John Laing as the investor and manager for the project.

Construction started with the first of more than 2,000 concrete piles being driven into the ground.

The first concrete slab will be poured by mid-2015, and enough concrete to fill 21 Olympic pools will be used to stabilise the Stadium’s five-level structure, which will reach a height of 42 metres.

The construction of the new Perth Stadium is expected to be a major growth driver for the local economy.

Over 5,700 jobs will be created during construction with the workforce peaking in 2016, while hundreds of long-term positions will be created for the operational running and upkeep of the facility once complete.

In addition to the Stadium itself, the surrounding area will be further

regenerated with a number of other facilities including an amphitheatre, two children’s playgrounds, a picnic area, boardwalk and a community sports oval.

Olivier Brousse, John Laing CEO, said: “This is an important milestone in the delivery of this key sports and entertainment complex for Perth and we are delighted to play such a leading role in its development.

“Along with our Westadium partners, we look forward to continuing to work with the Western Australian State government to build and deliver a world-class stadium.”

Other consortium partners are:n Brookfield Multiplex as the design and construction contractor;n Brookfield Financial as the financial adviser;n Brookfield Johnson Controls as the facilities manager for 25 years.

The project has been designed by an award winning team with extensive international project experience, which includes the redevelopment of the Sydney Cricket ground and the development of the Beijing 2008 Olympic National Aquatics Centre, nicknamed the ‘Water Cube’.

IN February John Laing plc Group floated on the London Stock Exchange. The share price at launch was £1.95. The Company is described as ‘an international originator, active investor and manager of infrastructure projects’. The business is focused on major transport, social and environmental infrastructure projects awarded under governmental public-private partnership (“PPP”) programmes, and renewable energy projects, across a range of international markets’. More on the Company website: www.laing.comn This is the third set of shares on the London Stock Exchange bearing the John Laing name.JLIF (John Laing Infrastructure Fund) and JLEN (John Laing Environmental Assets Group) were launched by John Laing, but are stand-alone investment funds, separate from John Laing Group plc. JLIF and JLEN originally floated with infrastructure investments purchased from John Laing. The Company holds a minority 39.7% shareholding in JLEN, and holds no shares in JLIF as at 30 September, 2014.

John Laing shares sale

Photo of Perth with new stadium plan mapped out on top of it


coMPAnY nEwS

John Laing has signed an agreement with Gamesa, a global technology leader in wind energy, for the installation of six G114-2.5 MW turbines (aggregate capacity of 15 MW) at the Rammeldalsberget wind farm in Västernorrland, central Sweden.

This is the first time Gamesa will supply its new G114-2.5 MW turbine, with increased nominal capacity of 2.5 MW in order to maximise efficiency and profitability while reducing the cost of energy.

Delivery of the wind turbines

is scheduled to begin in October 2015, while commissioning of the facility is expected in the first quarter of 2016.

This is the third agreement entered into by John Laing with Gamesa. In 2013, Gamesa sold John Laing a 15.5 MW wind farm in Carscreugh, Scotland. Gamesa also secured a 20 MW supply agreement for the Svartvallsberget wind farm in Sweden, in which John Laing is a 100% investor.

John Laing Managing Director, Renewable Energy, Ross McArthur: “We are delighted

to continue our successful collaboration with Gamesa.

“This project is yet another example of John Laing’s long-term commitment to sustainable and innovative renewable energy.”

Enrique Pedrosa, Director of Sales at Gamesa, said: “This contract represents a milestone in Gamesa’s sales and product strategy as it marks the first time it will supply its new G114-2.5 MW turbine, demonstrating once again the credibility of our new products in the eyes of our customers.”

Providing renewable energy for Sweden

FINANCIAL close has been achieved on New Albion Wind Farm near Kettering in Northamptonshire.

John Laing acquired the New Albion Wind Farm in August 2014 after planning consent had been received from Kettering Borough Council in 2010. The project comprises seven wind turbines and the wind turbine technology, hubs, blades and a full 15-year service package will be provided by Senvion SE. Each MM82 wind turbine will have an installed generating capacity of 2.05MW.

The overall height of the turbines will be 100m. It is anticipated that the facility will generate enough electricity to meet the annual electricity demands of approximately 8,000 average UK households per year and will replace between 13,500 and 33,000 tonnes of CO2, depending on whether the power it replaces is generated by either gas or coal fired power stations respectively*.

Olivier Brousse, John Laing CEO, said: “Renewable energy remains an important growth sector for us

and we have made considerable progress in gaining a strong position in the market.”

The total capital expenditure for New Albion Wind Farm will be £19m. Debt financing is provided by Nord/LB, who has acted as sole mandated lead arranger. All generated power will be sold to Statkraft under a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement. Construction services will be provided by PLY Energy.

Initial ground investigations and

other construction preparation works on site have been undertaken and work to install the wind turbines and supporting site infrastructure are due to continue in January 2015. The project is scheduled to be fully operational by January 2016.

*Source: Renewable UK. These calculations take the variability of power output due to changing wind speeds into consideration and are considered industry standard.

New farm in Northants should be operational by January 2016

Main newsnEwS FEATURE

AT the end of the 60s and beginning of the 70s Laing Iberica made a substantial contribution to the tourist industry in Spain.

By 1972 the Company had become well established in Spain especially in construction of major toll roads. However, for the next year over 40% of its activities would be involved with the tourist industry.

By March 1972, the Company had won new contracts worth £9 million to build hotels around Spain. Projects were underway in the Canary Islands, Minorca, on the Costa Del Sol and further east on the Costa Blanca, which Team Spirit reported to be much underdeveloped at that time.

Former employee Adrian Mcgrath lives with his wife Kay in Mojacar, the last Moorish village in Spain to fall to the Christian King Ferdinand.

The tourist industry in this area was largely founded by Laing in 1969/1970 when they constructed the Hotel Moresco for Horizon Holidays and guardia Vieja Apartments as their own project.

Adrian, who was working there said: “Torrebahia translates as “Tower Bay” and is today totally built up.”

Top of the page is a picture of the guardia Vieja Project taken in 1973. Adrian and his wife had an apartment there until just a few years ago and still live nearby.

Laing is still “present” in Mojacar through the construction company which bought the Spanish company - now OHL - Obrascan Huarte Laing , and one of the biggest in Spain.

The Hotel Moresco is now closed, however Adrian, his wife and Spanish associates are working on a big renewal plan for the area, including a cable car, yacht marina, museum, hotels, housing and an old people’s home.

Spanish tourist resorts founded by John Laing

IN the late 60s and early 70s John Laing began some serious building work in Spain through Laing SA and Laing Iberica.Among the many projects, ranging from roads to the British Embassy in Madrid, were major hotels and tourist spots.

The Mojacar resort area. Inset left, Guardia Vieja project, right, land owned by John Laing. Many thanks to reader Adrian McGrath for sending in the pictures.

Above Adrian McGrath who worked in Spain and then became John Laing Group Treasurer.

Below, Mojacar as it looks today.



LASTInG PowER oF ATToRnEY (LPA)

Useful info

Planning for the future and the peace of mind that it can bringEVEN the term Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) puts many people off making sure they have an end-of-life plan in place - in the event that they lose capacity to make vital decisions themselves.

There is no need to go through a lawyer to set up a power of attorney and a new initiative is aiming to help people overcome issues they have with making end-of-life plans following a successful pilot scheme in east London.

My Life, My Decision will remove many of worries people have about making plans by providing information on their choices and the opportunity to discuss their wishes.

Through the scheme, volunteers and health professionals will be trained to support people in how they can plan ahead for the end of life, including by making an ‘Advance Decision’, setting out their medical treatment issues, or by appointing a person to make health and welfare decisions for them using Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Only 246,000 powers of attorney were registered in the UK during 2013, whilst estimates put the number of people suffering with dementia at 850,000.

My Life My Decision aims to ensure that people have peace of mind in the knowledge that their end of life plans will be carried out in accordance with

their wishes.There will be

special centres around the country. However, there is a freephone information line: 0800 999 2434.

Other sources of advice include:Office of the Public Guardian:www.publicguardian.gov.ukTel: 0300 456 030Compassion in Dying:www.compassionindying.org.ukTel: 0800 999 2434Dying Matters:www.dyingmatters.orgTel: 0800 021 4466

There are separate arrangements for power of attorney in Northern Ireland and in Scotland.

In Northern Ireland there is only an Enduring Power of Attorney covering property and financial affairs. Information can be found at the sources above.Scottish Public Guardian: www.publicguardian-scotland.gov.ukTel: 01324 678300www.scott ish.gsi .gov.uk/just ice/incapacity

There are many reasons why people put off making vital decisions about their end-of-life care and/or who should take care of financial matters if they lose the capacity to do so themselves. A new initaitive aims to make the whole process much simpler.

n There are two types of LPA in England and Wales - one dealing health and welfare, the other with property and financial affairs.n There used to be an Enduring Power of Attorney before 2007, those registered before that date should still be valid.n You can change or cancel an LPA at any time providing you have not lost mental capacity.n Once the application is sent back, it must be registered to be valid. Your appointed attorney can register the form after you have lost mental capacity (so if you never need it, there’ll be no fee to pay). However, at this point, if something is wrong on the form, you won’t be able to change it.

What will happen once you receive the forms...You will be asked for lots of information including name, address and date of birth and details of the person you are appointing as attorney.You, the attorney and the certificate provider must then sign it. Signatures will need to be witnessed by another person,

there are instructions with the form. The forms are then posted back to the Office of the Public guardian.There is a £110 fee to register. There’s a 50% discount if you have income under £12,000. If you claim certain benefits, you may be exempt from the fee.

Solicitors typically charge £400 plus VAT to organise power of attorney, plus the registration fee.Registering power of attorney typically takes around ten weeks. Once it’s done, you’ll be sent a stamped form that can be used to prove your attorney has the authority to manage your affairs.


Main newsREADERS’ nEwS

Ex MD - Sir Fred rememberedA number of readers wrote in to mention the obituary of former John Laing Chief Exec and MD Sir Fred Catherwood which appeared in various national newspapers.Sir Fred died on November 30, 2014, aged 89.The tee-total Ulsterman ran John Laing between 1971 and 1974, before being appointed chair to the British Overseas Trade Board in 1975 when he recruited the Duke of Kent as his unpaid deputy according to the Telegraph.

This picture was submitted by a retiree who was involved with the John Laing Construction Ltd team which delivered Cornbrook House in Manchester back in 1985. Pictured at the royal opening, from left, are: graham Carr, Jack Atherton, CJ Barber, Dennis Murphy, Alan glover, Mike Quinn, Alan Woods, Maureen Nash, Arthur Tanswell (Wilfred Lord), Mark Broadhurst, Bob Warburton, Roy Woodham and Tom Lord.

Company outing 25 years ago just the ticket for Laing brickieMANY thanks to Mr Bob Jones who was struck by articles from 25 and 50 ago in the last issue.

Not only had Mr Jones taken part in the 1964 sports day, but he had also attended the Laing Family Day Out, featured in news from 1989.

Retired bricklayer Mr Jones was playing football for the South West Region (Bristol) at the sports event 50 years ago.

Twenty-five years later, Sir Martin Laing had organised for the whole Company to spend a day at Alton Towers in recognition of the effort that staff made in achieving record Company figures during 1988.

Thousands of staff and their families (including Mr Jones) boarded coaches and headed to the amusement park for the day.

It seems that Mr Jones took the instruction to ‘please retain this ticket’ quite literally as he still had it 25 years later.n Write in and let us know if you

have any interesting keepsakes, or memories from your time with John Laing.

The food voucher and admission ticket kept by Mr Jones

Welfare officers are mournedWe are sad to report that two Welfare Officers passed away since our last issue.Leighton Davies was a serving Welfare Officer who died on February 5.Since 2008 he had looked after retirees south of London and in Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire.Previously he had spent 31 years with the Company, retiring in 1998 as Business Development Director in the Building Division in Hemel Hempstead. He was aged 69.n Hugh McGeoch looked after retirees in Scotland and the North of England. He passed away on January 10 aged 72, having spent 37 years working with John Laing, mainly in the Glasgow office. He spent 18 of those as a Welfare Officer until his retirement in 2011.

Main news


READERS’ nEwS

Following the publication of this picture in the last issue of REN, we heard from Mrs Eileen Randall.

She recalled working at Stewart B Dickens and said that the photo brought back many memories.

They had three or four sets of reps operating around the country who competed for the shield. On the far left was Denis Teague who was MD of the company.

Eileen joined the company as a temporary agency worker to do a bit of banking for the very small

team. What was supposed to be a few months became 27 years and she stayed there up until retirement at the age of 60.

The company made products like New Tex (a type of Artex) and some paints among other things.

When the company became SBD, it moved from small premises in Borehamwood to Maple Cross near Rickmansworth.

There was another woman called Randall based there and Eileen always remembered that they retired on the same day.

This image has got the archivists and even some people in it scratching their heads.

It was submitted by Max Whitlock who believes it might show a foremanship course at BEA Staff College, Farnham

Royal, in January 1966. However, there appears to be no formal record of the event or those taking part.

If you can shed some light on the image and its subjects, please let us know.

Just a reminder that it is your last chance to submit entries for the 2015 photographic competition.It has proved so popular over the years that the John Laing Charitable Trust is now offering £50 voucher to the winner.

A key feature of this competition is that photos do not have to be recent, although all are welcome.

If you have a classic snap lying around, why not submit it. Please make sure you supply your name and address so that we can return any photos sent by post. Also please avoid writing on the back of the picture, or using paper clips to attach to any accompanying paperwork as this may damage the image.

Of course, you can also email your entry to: [email protected]. If sending the picture digitally, please make sure the file size is at least 1mb, so that we can print it properly,

All entries should include a title for the picture and extra detail about the image is always welcome.

Postal address: Pensioner Publishing, 5 Harpenden Close, Bedford, MK41 9RG. Email: [email protected].

The results will be published in the June issue, entries to arrive by the end of April.

Clues about the mystery shield

Laing engineers and architects will be holding their annual reunion at the former Laing Sports Club in Rowley Lane, near Borehamwood on Thursday March 19, 2015. If anyone would wish to receive an invitation to this occasion – including non architects/engineers who may like to meet up with old colleagues – please contact John Clark by email at: [email protected]

Open invitation to join reunion

Last call for the 2015 competition

Anyone remember this group?


TEAM SPIRIT 50 YEARS AGo - 1965

WORk had begun on a £1-million contract to build two blocks of multi-storey flats, a community centre, clinic, children’s playrooms and car parking in West Ham. Each of the blocks would be 23 storeys high and completion was due for June 1966. There would be 172 one-bedroom flats, 88 two-bedroom flats and 44 three-bedroom flats.

IN Canada staff were contending with temperatures of between -40 and -50 degrees. It was tough on the $2.5million contract constructing buildings plus providing other works and services for Noranda Mines. Mr W Beeby wrote in Team Spirit

that they could not even seek consolation in a cup of coffee as the cafe was frozen solid.No wonder the local travel agent had been ‘working at high pressure’ booking staff for Christmas holidays in the area bounded by Hawaii, Fiji and Acapulco!

SIR Kirby Laing took up his appointment as President of the National Federation of Building Trades Employers in February. Later in the same month, Sir Kirby was also sworn in as a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex. Meanwhile Sir Maurice Laing was announced as the first President of a new UK employers

association The Confederation of British Industry. It would start up in August of 1965.

HOLLOWAy White Allom had recently completed new South African Airways showroom at Oxford Circus. The high specification contract was matched by the decor. Team Spirit reported: “Pampas green carpeting, tangerine peacock blue and burnt sienna chairs, rich brown woodwork and large illuminated colour photographs all combined to create a impression of warmth and sunshine.”

ANOTHER large Sectra contract was secured to build four multi-storey blocks of flats in Sunderland, worth £800,000.

TEAM Spirit’s miscellaneous section reported that the famous Z Cars police car had been seen patrolling the Company’s ground engineering premises at Borehamwood. The episode ‘A Shame to Take The Money’ included the storyline of a tractor and low loader being stolen from the Company’s delivery yard.

THE same section reported that an international letter had arrived at Thermalite Ytong, Ham Hall having being addressed only: ‘Therma Light Co Ltd’.

The Company was beginning to make an impact in Spain with three major projects on the go. These were: the new British Embassy Offices in Madrid, an 11-storey block of flats in Majorca and roads and ancillary works at a petrochemical site in Tarragona. However, it was beginning to become clear that projects discussions often required three languages; English, Spanish and French. Thankfully sub agent Pablo Andres was good with languages.

THIS Mayfair car park would be the first of its kind in Britain. It would comprise six levels below ground, one at ground and nine above. Specialist mechanical equipment was incorporated designed to deliver any car from its parking bay to the driver within one minute. Agent P Smith traveled to Switzerland to see a similar one in operation.Team members, from left: Gil Lumley, Tim Boyle, Tom Nally, Harry Snowdon, George Matthews, Fred Staunton, Tony and Mike Breed.


TEAM SPIRIT 50 YEARS AGo - 1965Team

spirit - 1965

A SPECIAL feature on the general Works Department explained how it had progressed since starting up in 1961.Operating as a self-contained unit within the London area, general Works had undertaken a host of interesting projects in and around the area of up to £100,000 in value. Clients were still able to benefit from the John Laing group resources.Based at Lowther Road, near Queensbury Station the company took on plenty of churches and church buildings, banks, shop alterations, small factories, swimming pools and elegant town houses. It also maintained all of the John Laing group’s properties through its 170 staff.

A GIANT project was ongoing at Kingsnorth in Kent to create a jetty in connection with a new power station. Specialised equipment required for the job included a derrick floating on Bailey bridging and a batching plant set upon a 100ft barge. There was even a specially designed launch to convey personnel and equipment to numerous small craft which comprised island bases. Despite a focus on health safety, plus the appointment of a marine foreman, there were a few unexpected dips taken. The jetty’s purpose was for berthing and unloading coal-carrying vessels. It needed to be ‘l’ shaped with a 1000 ft long head, running parallel with the shore.Construction consisted of Rendhex No4 box piles (90-105 ft in length) capped with in situ reinforced concrete. The piling extended 1,100 feet into the river.There was also a 2,000 ft outfall channel. The ground was difficult to excavate due to the peat, silt and soft blue clay - all covered with rushes. The perimeter was secured with 50ft long sheet piles, weighing 3,000 tons in all. The contract also included a pump house. The team worked 65-70 hrs during a seven-day week on average.

Kingsnorth team members, from left: E Atkinson, H Kew, P Cocks, A Rees, G Taylor, J Marley, P Murrin and A Singh.

Pictured top, Lowther Road staff, from left: Mrs G Wallis, Miss M Allen, Miss M Grant, Mrs E Powis, Mrs CM McCoy and Mrs JP Munn.

1965Some of the General Works chaps. Top, from left: DB Buchan, S Stewart, J Longcake, HB Jones and W Gallon.

Bottom, from left: E Brooks, A Wilson, J Trouse, H Sainthouse and J Nugent.

Excavation and start of base slab construction for the pumphouse. Inset: Marine Foreman ‘Syd’ Walker and excavator drivers Dennis ‘Chilly’ Chilcott and Lawrence Heneghan (right).



LAING Northern Ireland was set for another successful year with turnover in 1989 hitting £33million. During the past five years activity had changed steadily from commercial to housing and in January 65% of projected turnover for the year had been secured. Among the main projects were the £45million Castle Court office, shopping and car park development in Belfast. There was a £9million extension to Mater Hospital, and a 39-house

development on the Lower Shankhill Road in Belfast worth £940,000. The Company was also refurbishing the six-storey Howard House in a contract worth £720,000. It was the training centre for the Youth Training Programme.

THE first joint venture project between Laing Properties and John Laing Construction was topped out in December 1989. The Rivers business park at Maple Cross was a £13.1million design and construct project and was being completed by a team from Chiltern Region. The 80-week contract involved construction of three three-storey buildings around a central courtyard. There would also be parking for 400 cars.

LAING Eastern had just won its biggest contract yet, for the £11.3million Colchester Leisure Centre. Work was due to start in March and completion was scheduled for August.

A FRONT page message on the March issue of Team Spirit announced that Pall Mall Properties plc had made a takeover bid for Laing Properties. Sir MauriceLaing said the Board of Laing Properties had said that the bid should be rejected and that he planned to hang onto his shares for the long term.

LAING North West began work on a £31million design and construct

THE John Laing (Hendon) Band recorded a live concert for the Radio 2 series ‘Listen to the Band’ in January. They had reached a creditable seventh place in the National Championships at the Royal Albert Hall in October 1989 and were working towards doing even better this year. Musical director Melvin White had been a trombonist with the band between 1975-1981. Although band members did not work for the Company, it had very strong links with the business. Staff including John Farrow and John Renshaw had played in the band previously.

PICTURES were published of EPL staff during the London to Brighton veteran car run. They used the event to promote Laing Tool Hire in Streatham by inviting people in for an Edwardian breakfast. Anyone in 1990s attire was given a boater or bonnet along with a breakfast of egg, bacon, sausages, croquettes and sautéed kidneys. The first cars, tricycles and penny farthings began arriving at 9am. Among those taking part was Mrs Sue Hendin driving a 1900 Darracq restored by her father. She came in 12th, only four places behind non-executive Company director HRH Prince Michael of Kent.

contract as part of the Exchange Quay project in Salford Quays, Manchester. The contract for the south side of the 7.2 acre site included two impressive office towers, a pavilion office, building plus a shopping mall and car parks.

LAING Midlands had recently completed an excellent refurbishment of a late Victorian mock-tudor Priorsfield House following extensive fire, water and smoke damage. The region was also involved in three university projects plus a £1.2million design and build contract for an annexe to the Lucas Institute for Engineering Production.

A ‘medical bulletin board’ announced a host of health projects. Health Minister Virginia Bottomley officially started works on an £18.9million contract for a four-storey extension at Ormskirk and District general Hospital. The region was also building a new £3.5million mental illness unit at Whiston Hospital in St Helens. Meanwhile Record Breaker Roy Castle (pictured below) unveiled the opening plaque at Wexham Park Hospital where Chiltern Region had just completed a new rehabilitation unit.



Team spirit - 1990

HAVING secured the A55 Pen-y-Clip North Wales Coast Road contract, Laing Civil Engineering was revealing details of some of the many challenges they faced. These included moving mountains, subduing the sea and major tunnelling according to Team Spirit. However, the 91km stretch of road between Chester and Bangor would eventually reduce what was a three-hour drive to just one hour. The latest stretch of the £51.5million contract was a timely award as Civils staff were still on site, following completion of the Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr contracts which were opened in 1989.The latest contract meant that John Laing had won four of the seven major road contracts let by the Welsh Office.

1990

HOMES Division apprentices met up at an evening organised by the Apprentice Management

Committee. Committee chairman John Streak, who had started out as an apprentice himself, gave a talk on his career. Pictured from left, back row: Paul Roughton, Joby Orton, Keith Phillips, Keith

Good, Charlie Barber, John Streak, Mike Horrell. Middle row: Kevin O’Brian, Mark Berry, Jason Mitchell, Paul Dugean, Ian Roughton, Stewart Shafe, Andrew Lee. Front row: Chris Preston,

Juston Hall, Nicky Short, Caroline James, Paul Kelly, Sam Heathorn and Howard Jones.

BRISTOL brickie Roland Rogers was awarded a British Empire Medal in recognition of his skills. He joined the company in 1960 and said: “I have put a part of myself into every job I have done and I can look back with pride at the things I have helped to build.”

Main news

WHEN a loved one dies it is horribly stressful having to repeat the details to various organisations which have to be informed.

Tell Us Once (TUO) is a service which removes a lot of this pain by ensuring that you only have to go through it once as far as some central and local government agencies are concerned.

When you use Tell Us Once, the services notified will include:n DWP Pensions and Benefitsn Personal Taxn Council Taxn Passportn Driving Licencen Blue Badgen Electoral Register

You will need to register the death at the Register Office in advance of using the Tell Us Once service. When you register the death you will be advised by the Registrar how to use the service.

To receive your unique reference number from the registrar, you will need the following information for the deceased:n Date of birthn National Insurance numbern Driving licence numbern Passport number

SPEcIAL FEATURE - TELL US oncE


How Tell Us Once makes some things a bit easier

When someone has died, there are lots of things that need to be done, at a time when you probably least feel like doing them. Tell Us Once is a free Governmentservice that allows you to inform various central and local government departments at once, instead of having to go through the same process many times.

Case study shows what loved ones go throughTony and Dorothy Bonser, of Hoghton, near Preston, lost their 35-year-old son Neil to cancer.They have shared their experiences in the hope that all Government departments and sections of the NHS will sign up to the Tell Us Once scheme.The couple thought they had covered everything. The time between their son’s death and his funeral was ‘filled with so much urgent trivia’ from registering the death to returning his passport. However, they were wrong as they faced various ‘intrusions’ into their grief.It began when a card arrived at

Neil’s flat asking him to attend the hospital to discuss his oxygen requirements.Despite calling the hospital to put things right, they received another card to say that Neil had missed his appointment.The Television Licensing Authority had received notification of Neil’s death, but six months later sent a letter warning of the dire consequences of not having a TV licence. Tony called to put the record straight but received similar letters every six months. It is still unresolved.Even four years after Neil’s death the couple were contacted by a

building society enquiring about the balance on Neil’s mortgage. Despite having received a copy of the death certificate, the building society said it could only discuss the matter with the mortgagee. Thankfully a more helpful employee managed to access the old computer system which showed that the building society had received all the relevant information, but failed to transfer it.The mobile phone company, however, were ‘marvellous’. When Tony contacted them, they closed the account straight away and even wrote off the outstanding balance.

n Details of any benefits or entitlements they were getting, eg State Pensionn Details of any local council services they were getting, eg Blue Badgen Name and address of their next of kinname, address and contact details of the person or company dealing with their estate (property, belongings and money), known as their ‘executor’ or ‘administrator’

You can find out more information about Tell Us Once by visiting the Direct gov website at: www.gov.uk/after-a-death.


FESTIVE LUncHEonS

John Laing retirees’ festive funSouth West desserts at Brent House

THE host of new members was the biggest news from this year’s festive and new year lunches. You can meet them on the next page, but here is a short summary of the events themselves.

It all started with SOLARE at the Brook Kingston Lodge Hotel on December 3. It was a double celebration for Ray and Rena Phillips whose 59th wedding anniversary fell on the same day.

Chairman Les Hillman announced that £143 was raised by the raffle.

REALM met at Ansty Hall on December 8. Chairman Dave Hemlin welcomed the guests, including Charlie Laing and announced that club membership would be free next year. He warned members to be careful how they invested their extra £5. The raffle made a total of £277 which would go to the nominated charities: Maggies’ Centre (helping cancer sufferers), The British Legion Poppy Call and Kemp Hospice.

Phyllis Sturgeon delighted her table with a story of how she had recently thrown a party to celebrate 60 years living in the same house.

NORTH WEST met at the Britannia Hotel Didsbury on December 9.

There were plenty of new members enjoying the event and the raffle raised £86.

The lunches for REAL and CUMBRIA both fell on Wednesday December 10.

John Laing Charitable Trust Director Jenny Impey and Senior Corporate Responsibility and Welfare Co-ordinator Teresa Pettican joined former Welfare Manager Margaret Staines in London.

Up north, george Mitchell attended with friend Jean Jackson whom he has known since kindergarten, over 70 years.

Jack McDowall, 101, attended with his son Don. He was the oldest attendee of the season. Stephen and Carol Holt were half expecting to be foreign visitors to this luncheon, living as they do, just over the border in Scotland.

LNER members moved upstairs at their traditional venue, the Assembly Rooms in Newcastle, as the ground floor had been made into a new club.

There were lots of new members which meant that Stephen Hammond and Joe Birkett met up for the first time in 41 years, having worked together as joiners in Yorkshire.

The raffle raised £197.50 on the day, bringing the annual total to £562.50.

ELSTREE was the first gathering of the new year at the Toby Carvery in Borehamwood on January 6.

Margaret Adams was so determined to meet up with her club colleagues that she took a taxi from Chelmsford.

SALTIRE met at the Millennium Hotel, glasgow on January 15. Some of us flying up were worried that we wouldn’t make it when our plane was diverted to Edinburgh at the last minute. However, we arrived just in time for lunch. Again, a host of new members were in attendance.

Events came to a close with the SOUTH WEST luncheon at Brent House on January 15.

Again there was a large contingent of new members.

Jan Little who has been attending as a guest to accept the annual donations made by the club on behalf of the St Peter’s Hospice has retired.

However the contributions keep coming from South West club, which has raised more than £30,000 over the years. A raffle on the day raised another £92, bringing the annual total to £500.

Stephen Hammond and Joe Birkett met up again for the first time in 41 years at the Newcastle lunch.

Ray and Rena Phillips at Solare for anniversary

Betty King enjoyed Realm gathering

Anne Smith and Shirley Napier address Elstree club members


Main newsnEw MEMBERS

REALM (Midlands)

ERIC Bunting joined the Company in 1972 at Elstree Plant and retired in 2009.

He started out as a grader driver and ended up as a service supervisor on platforms. Among projects were: Littlebrook Power Station, Redcar and the M27.

Memorably he went to Iran in 1978 to pick up a machine for EPL. No sooner had he arrived when they declared martial law. His three-week journey ended up taking six weeks.

Eric was a regular in the Royal engineers, between 1957 and 1966, and was off to their Christmas do following the Laing event.

North West (Manchester)

Les worked with the Company for 34 years until 1994, starting out as a brickie on the grosvenor Shopping centre in 1959. His first project as site agent was at Harwarden School in North Wales.

He said: “I enjoyed it all, great training and experience with John Laing.”

He was eventually headhunted for Alfred McAlpine and ended up working on PFI hospitals for Skanska.

Carmel’s husband Michael spent over 40 years with the Company working all over the place. He even helped to build the new Coronation Street.

Blue (george) Barrie started with Civils in 1969 on Scunthorpe Steel Works finally retiring in 2013.

Blue worked on projects including London Bridge City as Construction Manager for LMC.

He was always known by his childhood nickname ‘Blue’, which helped and hindered his career. Once he was not allowed to board a business flight because the tickets were booked in the name of Blue. On the other hand, it was a conversation piece at business pitches. One client told him he had expected to see ‘a 6ft 6” Australian.’ when Blue turned up for his pitch. “Even though I am a much shorter Yorkshireman, we still won the work,’ said Blue.

CUMBRIA (Carlisle)

Michael worked with the Company as an apprentice joiner from

age 15 – 28 years, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

Projects involved mainly housing including Lowrie Hill Estate and Skidder road which used to be the Laing Sports ground in Carlisle.

His father was a wagon driver and his grandfather, a labourer who worked alongside John Laing. Valerie’s father also worked with the Company for many years and she used to attend the retirement club lunches with him.

LNER (North East)

Alan spent 49 years with the Company, starting out as an apprentice joiner in 1965, working mainly in the North East.He spent 11-months on a maths block at Cambridge University where Stephen Hawking was based. Alan saw him around the place a lot, always accompanied by his three carers.

He enjoyed all his time especially being project manager on the NTW Trust Mental Hospital and fondly remembers his days on the tools as a joiner at the Freeman Hospital. He saw it through from ‘grass field to the royal opening’.

Norman started out with the Company in 1969 as a concrete finisher and worked on loads of

Welcome to new club members

Les and Jean Dutton

Carmel Reilly

Michael and Valerie Phelan

Eric and Nanette Bunting

Alan and Rosemary Jones

Blue Barrie and Catherine

Norman and Brenda Doran

Main news

projects until retirement in 2001. His first contract was Durham

Life Sciences for the University. He went on to the Civic Centre in Sunderland, law courts in Newcastle, Fenwicks, Durham Milburn gates shopping centre (2.5 years). He ended up on the Bridge at Sunderland in 2001 where he and a colleague were the last two men on that particular project.

Stephen started with the Company in the late 60s. He worked in Wakefield as a joiner for Laing before joining the team on the Yorkshire Post in 1972.

Having already been trained he was quickly made up to chargehand and then foreman.

The most memorable of many projects was Fylingdales Radar Station the Americans’ secret listening post. It was Stephen’s job to go through every single detail of the work carried out with the Americans in order to secure payment, which he did successfully.

SALTIRE (Scotland)

Adam joined John Laing from school as a pupil in production control in 1964 and stayed for 36 years. He became a general Foreman, Scottish Region, Director and Construction Manager for Scotland. He worked on many office and hospital

projects over the years, but the one that stands out for him was the red granite Cydesdale Bank.

John headed up John Laing Design Associates in the glasgow office during the 60s and 70s for 17 years. He was a civil engineer and went on to set up his own design consultancy. He also spent 69 years with the Boys Brigade, finally retiring last year and is a well known accordion player, specialising in Scottish tunes.

Richard joined John Laing in 1993 and retired from Laing O’Rourke in 2014, as Construction Manager. His first major project was St Margaret’s High School in Livingstone and his favourite project was Dundee Sheriffs Court between 1992-1993.

SOUTH WEST (Bristol/Wales)

Bob retired some time ago and has recently decided to join the South West club. He started with Laing in 1977 as a joiner and spent 25 years there mainly as a general Foreman working largely

on shopping centres around the south west, and in Cardiff.

Tim worked with the Company from 1972 - 2000 then spent 12 years with Laing O’Rourke as they asked him to come in as Commercial Director for South West and Wales. He fondly remembers his very first contract The Barbican Arts Centre.

Ken started in 1965 and worked 35 years to the day with Laing. Originally apprentice joiner, he recalled eventful projects at Poole Barclays, Cardiff Library and Swansea Prison. He enjoyed the Davidstowe factory for Milk Marketing Board from 1983-85. Prior to that he worked on Cannington Creamery where Lymeswold was made.

Trevor spent 33 years with the Company, retiring in 1999 on a high having been Project Director of the Heathrow Express project - project of the year at the national building awards. The John Egan report borrowed many findings from the project’s partnering approach. He also worked for HWA and on Jespersen.

nEw MEMBERS


Adam and Anne Easton

John and Celia Patrick

Stephen and Shirley Hammond

Richard and Evelyn Wilson

Bob and Gill Player

Tim Smith

Ken and Margaret Avery

Trevor and Margaret Mead


Main newscLUB nEwS

Why the club raffles are about more than just helping othersRAFFLES are an institution among John Laing retirement clubs and have raised many thousands of pounds for good causes over the years.

Whilst these raffles are a source of great fun among the members, they have also provided some very special hand-crafted prizes.

Members devote considerable time and effort in hobbies ranging from wood turning to knitting and provide some memorable prizes.

This year saw two unique gifts at the North West and Saltire festive luncheons.

In Scotland Anna Waring has found a way of turning a blight from our disposable society into something beautiful and practical.

Anna makes the ultimate ‘bags for life’ by crocheting them from carefully selected disposable bags to create great patterns.

She got the idea when trying to return the charity bags put through the letterbox. No one would take them back unless they are filled

up with something, so she tried crocheting with them in an attempt not to create more litter.

Firstly Anna sorts disposable bags from various supermarkets into different colours so that she can create a pattern. Then they have to be carefully crocheted.

In the North West the only worry for the winner of this beautiful Laing cake was whether they could bring themselves to cut into the wonderful design. It was baked by Sue Markall, although Welfare Officer husband Dave believes it was his Laing sticker which was the real icing on the cake!

Above, some of the steps in creating an ultimate ‘bag for life’ and below, Sue Markall’s Laing Christmas cake.

Last call for your summer luncheon forms...May 18 - SOUTH WESTBailbrook House, Bath

May 19 - REALSheene Mill, CambsMay 20 - ELSTREE

Sheene Mill, CambsMay 21 - SOLARE

Spread Eagle, MidhurstJune 1 - SALTIRE

Loch Lomond Arms HotelJune 2 - LNER

Langley Castle, HexhamJune 3 - CUMBRIA

Langley Castle, HexhamJune 4 - NORTH WESTStatham Lodge, Lymm

June 5 - REALMDovecliff Hall, Burton

The venues are all set and preparations being finalised for this year’s President’s Day Summer Outings.

Club members should all have received a form regarding dietary requirements, along with a stamped addressed envelope for replies.

As always, hostess Lady Stephanie Laing wants everyone to have the best time possible, so if you have not returned your form, please do so as soon as possible.

The form does not just cover foods which can’t be eaten for health reasons. You can let organisers know what foods do not appeal.

If you did not receive a form, or have mislaid it, please get in touch with Jack Trowsdale, email:

[email protected], Tel: 07867 360345.

Various members of the Laing family will be attending the events and guests are asked to arrive no earlier than 12.15pm, ready to sit down at 1pm.

Jack Trowsdale in hotel owner Janet Simpson’s Bentley before last year’s North West event

Main news


cLUB nEwS

contacts

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

ELSTREEShirley Napiert: 020 8207 5110 e: [email protected]

LNER (North East)John Crosbyt: 0191 262 4978 e: [email protected]

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

REAL (Nth London)Judy Pollardt: 020 8374 6997e: [email protected]

REALM (Midlands) Jane Barnest: 01827 61267 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]

CLUB

CO

NTACTS

CUMBRIAMonthly meetings at Wigton Methodist Hall.

June 3President’s Day Summer Outing.

ELSTREEWeekly meetingsSt Michael and All Angels Church Hall, Tuesday 2.30pm.May 20President’s Day Summer Outing.

LNERMarch 4AgM at the Assembly Rooms, Newcastle.April 23Outing to the Harrogate Flower Show.June 2President’s Day Summer Outing.

NORTH WESTJune 4President’s Day Summer Outing.

REALMMarch 11Club AgM at Solihull Methodist Church Hall from noon with buffet lunch. March 25Four mile walk beginning and ending at Clarendon Arms, Kenilworth.April 29Riverboat cruise on the Trent, three hours including lunch.June 5President’s Day Summer Outing.

REALMonthly meetings at Allum Hall, Borehamwood.

March 4Edna Jury presents Irving Berlin -The Hollywood Years.May 6Cheese and wine event.

May 19President’s Day Summer Outing.June 3Afternoon Cream Tea.

SALTIREMonthly meetings at St. Stephen’s Church, Glasgow.March 10Speaker giving a talk about trips to Africa associated with his involvement with the charity 500 Miles.April 8Outing to King’s Theatre glasgow to see “Dance Till Dawn”.May Outing to be confirmed.June 1President’s Day Summer Outing.

SOLAREMarch 11Spring Meeting and three-course meal, Brook Lodge Kingston Hotel.April 29Spring lunch at Ristorante Sorrento, Tolworth.May 21President’s Day Summer Outing.

SOUTH WESTApril 2Spring lunch at Cameley Lodge, Cameley.April 23Skittles and lunch at Woodborough Inn, Winscombe.May 18President’s Day Summer Outing.

clubs provide their own updates regarding organised events. You can contact them using the details featured on the righthand side of this page.c

lub

Even

ts Contact the clubs direct if you are interested in joining. For general enquiries contact:John Laing Welfare Department33 Bunns LaneLondon NW7 2DXTel: 020 8959 9683

club events


Main newsMAJoR BIRTHDAYS AnD AnnIVERSARIES

Joan and Arthur CliffordPlatinum WeddingDecember 16, 2014RATIONING, bombs dropping and the fact that Joan and Arthur had to get back to their farm didn’t stop them getting married in Mill Hill 70 years ago.

They were staying at her parents’ house, near to the Bunns Lane offices where Joan had spent six years working her way up to become assistant to John Laing’s secretary from 1936.

She started just before her 16th birthday. She missed her first draft, being kept as a reserved occupation, however, she eventually joined the Women’s Land Army in Oxfordshire, 1942.

She eventually found herself working on a farm opposite the one belonging to Arthur. They got to know each other and were married.

Not that they stopped to think

about it, but weddings were very difficult during the war. Family, friends and community pooled their ration vouchers and called in favours to put together a decent spread.

Joan said: “I don’t know whether there were bombs dropping during the wedding itself, I was floating on air, but they were fairly constant around that time. I do recall that we were nearly blown out of bed on the second night by a buzz bomb.

“We just got on with things. Like at the dances at that time, there were bombs dropping around us and we all just carried on dancing.”

They only had two nights away from Oxfordshire, as they had to get back to do the milking. “It doesn’t seem like 70 years,” said Joan. “I think the fact that we share everything (we will even cut a small chocolate bar in half) has been part of the secret.”

Diamond Anniversary

GoldenAnniversary

December 18Derek & Vanda Moss

Jimmy & Greta ValanciusJanuary 1

Dennis & Margaret Pearson

november 7Les & Stella Fletcher

november 26Ron & Barbara Gay

December 12Les & Jenny Butterworth

December 19Roger & Valerie Miles

December 28John & Elizabeth

CallaghanJanuary 30

Jim & Eleanor Bennett

War wedding couple still happy

If you would like your anniversary pictures and details published, please send or email them to Pensioner Publishing or the Laing Welfare Department at the addresses on the inside front cover of this magazine. Ideally include details on how you met and your career with the Company. Please let us know in good time. The next issue will be out in June. If your anniversary falls between now and then, and you would like a mention, please let us know by April 30.

Main news


MAJoR BIRTHDAYS AnD AnnIVERSARIES

90th

Readers’ birthdays

Joan and Peter AcklandDiamond WeddingAugust 21, 2014It all began at the weekly dance on an RAF base for Peter and Joan Ackland.

Peter and Joan met at RAF grange (now HMS Centurion) back in 1951.

She was 16 and he 19 and as Peter said: “We have been best friends ever since.”

He joined the Company on the Ministry of Defence Jespersen contract at gosport.

He then spent seven years commuting to Southwark, Curzon Street and the M15 project before moving to Laing Homes in 1976.

They made the most of their anniversary celebrations, which included a card from Her Majesty the Queen.

Prior to the event they took their

daughters and grandchildren on an evening Thames Slowboat Cruise.

On the day itself, their daughters laid on a lovely party attended by friends and relatives. The couple now have five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Diamonds are definitely forever

3 november Frank Cammidge

4 november Horace Dodd

5 novemberFlorence Speers(Pictured)

9 novemberHarry Benson

28 november Clifford Wilson

3 DecemberCliff Skinner

28 DecemberRonald Rogers

1 JanuaryPekar Ram

Eileen and Ron NortonPlatinum WeddingJanuary 22, 2015EILEEN and RON Norton met whilst they were both working at the Ministry of Works at Euston.

He was in the drawing office, working on ammunition sites, whilst Eileen was in the typing pool. They noticed each other, began chatting and so romance blossomed.

They were married during Ron’s embarkation leave and still have the special licence obtained from a Parliamentary office allowing them to wed despite both being younger than 21 years of age.

Ron had been Pioneer Student which meant that he was able to go into the Enginners.

The couple were married at their local church in Finchley, although just beforehand, one of the first bombs of the war had completely destroyed Eileen’s family home. Luckily, they wer all ina shelter at the time.

Ron said: “It was not a massive wedding, but friends and neighbours

all chucked in their ration books for the spread. We even had butter, which was quite rare at the time.”

The couple got away to snowy Bournemouth for their honeymoon and it was so cold that even the sea had frozen in places.

Eileen spent eight years in the Pensions Department at John Laing.

The couple had two chldren and now have four grandchildren and five great gradnchildren.

They marked the occasion with a special party.

Ministry of Works’ Platinum spouses

95th1 December Jim Leach


Main news

Dementia and social care informationSOCIAL care costs remain one of the biggest concerns among the elderly in the UK.

From April 2016 the amount individuals will pay for care if they are 65 or over is being capped at £72,000. Depending on wealth, people may be entitled to help before reaching the cap.

However, this will only apply if their need is assessed as ‘substantial or critical’. Also, it will only apply to the costs of care, and not the accommodation and living costs.

To find out if they are eligible for help, people will first need to be assessed by the local council as having very high needs. Whether care is provided at home or in a residential home, only the rate set by the council will count towards the cap. Extra costs or top-up fees will not count.

In residential care, individuals will still be responsible for food and lodging. A flat rate of £230 a week is proposed across England.

In Scotland. anyone aged 65 or over is entitled to free personal care if they are assessed as needing help. That can include care to wash and dress and prepare meals. Anyone who needs care that requires a qualified nurse will also have that care provided on the NHS.

In Wales, everyone will have the right to have their need for help assessed from April 2016. Eligibility relies on them being ‘critical or substantial’.

You can find out what the costs are in your local area - along with plenty of other information - at a new website set up by the BBC.

go to www.co.uk/care and type in your postcode to find out you local costs.

As an example we looked at the costs for major cities around the UK. London (Mill Hill/Barnet):Residential - £601.06Care at home - £159.53Birmingham (Solihull):Residential - £480.47Care at home - £266.24Bristol:Residential - £764.40Care at home - £259.40Newcastle:Residential - £604.57Care at home - £180.56

The site will also allow you to get an idea of whether you might be eligible for help by inviting you to choose criteria such as whether you own your own home, whether you have savings or investments over a certain level etc.

Don’t forget that whatever your financial position, if you need help with personal care because you are either mentally or physically disabled, you can claim Attendance Allowance. Also, if you have a carer, they might be eligible for carer’s allowance.

You can find out more at: www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance or contact your local authority for information.Other sources of help:AgeUKwww.ageuk.org.ukTel: 0800 169 6565Citizen’s Advice Bureauwww.citizensadvice.org.ukVisit your local branch.

nEwS FoR THE THIRD AGE

In BriefPENSIONER BOND OFFER ExTENDEDMore Pensioner Bonds which are available to those aged 65 and over will be issued according to the Government.The offer is only open to pensioners who can invest up to £10,000 in each of two products: a one year bond offering a return of 2.8% or a three-year bond offering 4%.They will now be on offer until May 15. You must invest at least £500. More information is available from National Savings and Investments (NS&I).www.nsandi.comTel: 0500 007007.

UK HAS WORLD’S OLDEST MONARCHHer Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is now the world’s oldest reigning monarch following the death of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in January.The Queen, who will be 89 in April and has spent 62 years on the throne, is set to surpass her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria’s reign in September this year.She is one of eight monarchs around the world who are aged in their 80s including the King of Thailand and the Emperor of Japan.

No change regarding new pension rulesTHERE has been much written about new rules affecting pensions which come into force this April, but those on a John Laing pension will be largely unaffected.The changes mainly affect ‘Defined Contribution’ pensions - also known as ‘Money Purchase’ pensions.These are mainly private pensions in which each individual member has

their own ‘pot’ which is used to buy benefits.If you have any queries about your pension, you can contact the John Laing Pensions Department on: 020 7901 3200.If you have a second private pension, you may be affected by the changes and should discuss options with an Independent Financial Adviser.

Main news


In MEMoRIAM

George Beames, formerly general Operative/Fork lift driver with SW Region, died 31 December 2014. He was 84 and retired in 1992 after 15 years’ service.

George Cant, formerly Tower Crane Driver with EPL, died 29 November 2014. He was 89 and retired in 1988 after 34 years’ service.

Cecil Cherns, formerly Estimator with JL Building Division, died 16 November 2014. He was 86 and retired in 1990 after 25 years’ service.

Michael Doczyminski, formerly Piper layer with Laing North West, died 29 November 2014. He was 90 and retired in 1989 after 11 years’ service.

Richard (Dick) Esh, formerly Foreman with John Laing Construction, died 31 December 2014. He was 76 and retired in 2001 after 40 years’ service.

Michael (Joe) Farragher, formerly Site Manager with Laing London, died 10 December 2014. He was 92 and retired in 1987 after 42 years’ service.

Des Gidley, formerly Personnel Manager with South East Region, died 4 November 2014. He was 85 and retired in 1994 after 31 years’ service.

Jan Gohol, formerly Concrete Finisher, London Region, died 21 December 2014. He was 85 and retired 1991 after 32 years’ service.

Gordon Grieves, formerly general Operative with Thermalite, died 29 December 2014. He was 93 and retired in 1982 after 21 years’ service.

George Hall, formerly Carpenter with Laing London Region, died 26 November 2014. He was 94 and retired in 1985 after 35 years’ service.

Joan Harper, formerly a Microfilm operator with John Laing Construction, died 15 January 2015. She was 95 and retired 1979 after 11 years’ service.

John Hammett, formerly Site Agent with Laing Construction South, died 16 November 2014. He was 74 and retired in 1993 after 26 years’ service.

John Hendrie, formerly Joiner with Laing Northern, died 29 December 2014. He was 85 and retired in 1994 after 42 years’ service.

W L (Bill) Hornsby, formerly Foreman Bricklayer with London Region, died 2 January 2015. He was 98 and retired in 1981.

Joe Maguire, formerly Concreter with Laing Northern, died 10 November 2014. He was 73 and retired in 1999 after 21 years’ service.

Betty McFadden, formerly Comptometer Operator with Laing Scotland, died 28 December 2014. She was 76 and retired in 1995 after 32 years’ service.

Hugh McGeoch, formerly Welfare Officer with John Laing Charitable Trust at Mill Hill, died 10 January 2015. He was 72 and retired in 2011 after 37 years’ service.

Roy Merrett, formerly Carpenter with Laing Southern Region, died 26 December 2014. He was 89 and retired in 1990 after 44 years’ service.

George Nelson, formerly Carpenter with Eastern Region, died 7 December 2014. He was 81 and retired in 1998 after 33 years’ service.

Alan Norton, formerly Confidential Clerk with group Pensions Department, died 8 January 2015. He was 83 and retired in 1996 after 40 years’ service.

W (Graham) Phillips, formerly Building Services Manager with Laing North West, died 31 January 2015. He was 83 and retired in 1996 after 32 years’ service.

Ann Smith, formerly Nurse with EPL, died 18 December 2014. She was 85 and retired in 1987 after 7 years’ service.

Dennis Turner, formerly Deputy Chairman at Mill Hill, died 31 December 2014. He was 90 and retired in 1984 after 33 years’ service.

David Upton, formerly Projects Manager with London Region, died 7 January 2015. He was 86 and retired in 1993 after 41 years’ service.

In Memoriam

Documents

Employees’ News spri… · Team Spirit Past 10-13 Snippets of news from 25 and 50 years ago. Meet the new members 15-17 Reports from the festive luncheons and an introduction to