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April 2003 - Spring Newsletter
In this edition...
Dear Member,
I trust this Newsletter finds you all keeping well. Spring is now upon us and already the evenings are getting longer and we have the summer to look forward to.
Well, since our last Newsletter, Safeway have been at the forefront of press activity and as you are all no doubt aware, the Department of Trade & Industry has referred all four of the trade parties interested in Safeway to the Competition Commission - the only one cleared is that of Philip Green - a self-made billionaire who doesn't own any supermarkets, as yet; he's a fashion rather than a food man, and famous for taking on British Homes Stores and making them viable once again. We wait with baited breath to see if he, in turn, makes a move.
The Company will be fully co-operating with the Competition Commission's investigation, which is scheduled to be complete in August.
If any of you have any queries or questions relating to the merger situation, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your Branch Committee who will point you in the right direction and advise who's best to speak to.
NEWS FROM THE CENTRE
Annual General Meeting
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Our AGM was held on Wednesday 22nd January and officers for the current year were re-elected. A detailed list of the new Committee is attached for your information.
Due to ill health, our Committee member and friend, Peter Collins, who has worked tirelessly over many years supporting the Branch and its aims, has unfortunately resigned from the Committee.
The Committee, and I am sure all members, would like to thank Peter for all his past work and hope he will soon be on the road to recovery, after recently having undergone a hip replacement operation.
Branch Future
The Chairman confirmed at the last Committee meeting and AGM that, despite the uncertainty of Safeway's long-term future, the work of the Safeway Branch would continue. He was also pleased to report that Safeway Plc would continue to support the Branch both financially and morally, for which the President, David Webster was thanked for his efforts in this regard.
The good news is that if Safeway was taken over at some time in the future, then the Branch could not be disbanded unless the full Committee voted to do so.
57th Annual Dinner
In light of the above, the Committee is pleased to advise that this year's Annual Dinner date has been confirmed for Wednesday 5th November 2003 and the venue, once again, will be the Victory Services Club.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete and return the "Dinner Feedback Form".
Further details will be posted in due course, but in the meantime please mark this date on your social calendar!
FUNDRAISING
St. George's Day
After being approached by COLPA for volunteer collectors for St. George's Flag Day, which was being trialled for the first time by the Legion in specific regions, as well as the City of London, the Safeway Branch were very keen to support this initiative.
So on the 23rd April we held St. George's Flag Day at the Hayes head office complex and raised a staggering £501. A great achievement and our thanks go to the Branch Committee collectors - John Dickie (a Scotsman too!), Barry Martin, Alan Thornton, Gabrielle Williamson and Trish Lanning (who's persuasive charms definitely managed to raise the most!).
Thanks also to everyone who gave so generously.
Derby Draw - 2003
We are pleased to be running the Derby Draw again this year and this will take place on Friday 30th May 2003. Draw tickets have already been sent out to our retired members in the SFA newsletter. Meanwhile, you can request your tickets by completing the form on the back of this Newsletter.
As you are aware our draws make up a considerable amount of our fundraising for the year and I would urge everyone to have a flutter! Good luck to all who take part and our thanks to Gerry Martin and Gerry Peeling for all their hard work and effort in organising this again.
COLPA (City of London Poppy Appeal)
COLPA are looking for volunteer collectors during Remembrancetide, in particular on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th November (the 8th being the Lord Mayor's Show), or indeed all through the week, in the environs of St. Paul's.
If you would like further information, or are interested in volunteering, please contact Debbie Stapley at Hayes.
2003 Bike Rides in Support of the Poppy Appeal
After such a mammoth response last year, several of our riders are taking a well-deserved rest this year, but we are pleased to announce that we have 5 "store-based" riders taking part in the Bike to Brussels in June, and 4 from other areas of the business taking part in the Pedal to Paris in September.
We would like to wish them all the best of luck in raising funds for this much needy cause.
RBL Quiz
Our last quiz night was held on Wednesday 12th March and raised just over £1,100 (£400 alone from our TV raffle) - with "The Double Entry Boys" winning first place. Our quiz nights are good fun, we have some excellent raffle prizes and they are a great way of meeting up with old friends and new. Watch this space for details of our next one.
Obituaries
Our Branch membership remains at 245, but unfortunately every year sees the loss of old friends and colleagues. Those recent losses we should pay tribute to are:
Ralph Pascal
Norman Reeves
T McAndrew
Our thoughts and condolences go to their families.
Well, I think that's all the news for this edition. On behalf of the Committee, I should like to say thank you to you all for your continued support and you can rest assured that during this time of uncertainty the Branch remains focused on supporting the aims of the RBL to it's fullest extent.
If you have any ideas for fundraising, points of interest you'd like included in our next Newsletter, or any comments about the Branch in general, please do let us know.
Yours sincerely
Lawrence Christensen CBE
Branch Chairman
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