Dispatches / Classifieds

FLORIDA TRAVEL FLORIDA, Kissimmee, luxury villa 01268-750062 INDIAN WELLS KISSIMMEE Villas 10 per cent discount on rates for RMT members. Beautiful 3 bedroom 2 bathroom villa in Florida. 5 minutes drive from Disney. Exceptionally central location. Own pool with screen porch and overlooking a lake. Will sleep 8 and cot facilities are available. Tel. 01202 425510 www.indianwellskissimmeevil- las.co.uk THE NEW FOREST DEVON/CORNWALL ORLANDO VICTORIAN FARMHOUSE B&B plus s/c lodge, sleeps 4, also B&B. Set in farmland overlooking forest. Direct access to trailway. Small heat- ed pool. Pets welcome. Ideal for walking, riding and cycling. Close to New Forest. For brochure call 01425 472115 NORTH CORNWALL Comfortable cottages on ancient Moorland farmstead. Seven miles from Tintagel. Coarse fishing, superb walking, scenery. Pets welcome. 01208 850674 or www.eastrose.co.uk AIRPORT PARKING UK AIRPORT PARKING Five per cent additional Discount for RMT members. www.flypark.co.uk/discount 0870 733 0545 Get a quote and see savings HOLIDAYS & TRAVEL INSURANCE. Alba Family Annual Worldwide, £72.75. Couples, £66.40. Single, £61.15. Single-trip from only £3.20. Tel: 0870 4607806 quote RMT. Airport hotels including 15 days parking from £49 a couple. Tel: 0870 733791 and quote EE342. All shown at www.ben- efit-web.com CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING To advertise contact Elaine Smith at Landmark Publishing Services Telephone: 020 7692 9292 HEBRIDEAN seafarer Roddy MacSween has ‘swallowed the anchor’ after a full half century at sea – and 50 solid years as an active union man. Roddy signed up to the National Union of Seamen with- in a couple of weeks of joining the MV Loch Mor as a 15-year- old galley boy in January 1954. After a trip with Cunningham’s of Scalpay – his home Hebridean island – Roddy went deep-sea, serving with, among others, the New Zealand Shipping Company, Shaw Saville, British Tankers and Hunting’s of Newcastle. During 17 years with Ben Line he became the company’s youngest ever bo’sun. Stints with Scottish Shipping Management and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary were followed by 16 years with Caledonian MacBrayne ferries, latterly sailing between Uig, Lochmaddy and Tarbert until his retirement earlier this year. “Half a century’s continuous membership of the union is a tremendous achievement,” noted branch secretary and EC member Stuart Hyslop. “He is a great shipmate and always a reliable union member,” said George Lonie, who sailed alongside Roddy aboard the MV Hebrides. Dispatches IIIIII FORMER secretary of the Ipswich branch JIM WALES has passed away after a long illness. Jim, who retired in 1985, was a member of the union for over 40 years and a branch secretary for 10 years. He also represented rail operator grades on the sectional council of British Railways. Jim also represent- ed the branch at the Anglia District Council as well. Jim Wales continued to work and represent his fellow workers despite suffering a very serious injury in 1946 in which he lost the lower part of one leg and a part of one arm. His determination to represent rail workers never diminished in any way. IT is with great sadness that I have to report the death of DAVID PAIGE on Novemeber 23 2004 fol- lowing a brief illness. David leaves behind wife Annette and a son and a daughter Simon and Pippa. During his forty year career in the rail industry David held many positions from cleaner to fireman and guard before becoming a driver for a number of years. David had spent most of his working career based at Horsham where he held many positions including driver instructor, before transferring to Action as a driver. David was a trade union activist who held many positions from branch secretary to LDC guards’ rep. David’s funeral at Slough cre- matorium in December was attend- ed by family, friends, trade union- ists, colleagues and managers from Southern and EWS. David had a love of angling and had recently caught his biggest ever Carp weighing 15.5 lbs. Tight lines dear friend. Adrian Walsh RMT company council rep BRIAN HESSEY 1937 - 2005 BRIAN HESSEY was a member of the former (NUR) since 1958 of the old Worksop no1 branch which merged with the old Retford branch to form the new Bassetlaw branch in 1989. Although Brian was a branch delegate to the "guards and shunters" grade conference and regularly attended the AGM, Brian was an LDC man and one of the best LDC chairman you could ever get. He was voted back to the position time and time again and it was a post he held for over 25 years up to retirement due to ill health. At one point Brain was LDC Chairman and his brother Frank Hessey was secretary (nicknamed the terrible twins). He would never ask for impossible demands. However, he was like a terrier dog and would never give in until he got what his members wanted or until justice was done. He was sacked and reinstated over implementation of DOO. He stuck it out through thick and thin, upholding the policy of the executive during the miners strike. It is to his credit that not an ounce of coal moved out of Worksop depot during the entire dispute. As a true grass roots representative, he will be sorely missed. He leaves a wife, "our Joyce" as she was always referred to, and three children. ORLANDO Villa website www.torentafloridavilla.com Phone 01514742417. OBITUARIES OBITUARY Frederick Thorn 1920 – 2004 FRED started his railway career in 1948 as a goods guard at temple Mills in east London before trans- ferring to Kings Cross as a guard. He enjoyed many years working on the Scottish expresses to Edinburgh. Fred later transferred to Liverpool Street station as a ticket inspector until his retirement. He was well known for his work as NUR Romford branch secretary. His family described him as an “old-fashioned” railway man who loved his job and took pride in working for “British Rail”. 28 Roddy clocks up half a century