LONG SERVICE AWARDS

RMTnews :: june 2006 :: www.rmt.org.uk 24 LONG SERVICE AWARDS General secretary Bob Crow presented 40 and 25-year badges to Wimbledon branch members recently. Wimbledon Branch Secretary Paul McDonnell reports that members also took the opportunity to ask Bob a few questions, during which a member of the club heckled him. “Bob answered and reformed the heckler, as he was found later singing Bob’s praises in the bar,” he said. EC member Paul Burton also gave a report and took questions from the floor. A raffle was held and raised £87 for the branch welfare account. Paul said that the branch is planning to hold more social events and would appreciate suggestions at branch meetings which are held at 5pm on the last Thursday of the month upstairs in the Trinity Road Club, off Wimbledon Broadway. Over 50 members attended a Plymouth No1 branch presentation evening to celebrate over 250 years of RMT membership earlier this year. 40-years badges were presented to Ollie Wise, a Plymouth Panel Box Signaller who joined in 1962, Brian Fradley, a Plymouth Virgin Train Manager who joined in 1960, David Hughes, a Plymouth FGW Train Manager that joined in 1964, John Mathias, a Plymouth FGW Restaurant Service Leader who joined in 1964 and Steve Sobey and Tom Best both from FGW Laira Depot that joined in 1964 and1965 respectively. Bob Crow paid tribute to the loyalty of the long standing members and presented the commemorative medallions and badges. Bob then gave a report and took questions from the floor. A number of 25 and 40-year badges were presented at a recent South Hants branch meeting at Eastleigh Locomotive Engineers Club. The general secretary gave a rousing speech on railway pensions to a packed branch and received unanimous endorsement for the campaign to save the Railway Pension Scheme. Tom Best and Steve Sobey collected their awards for 40 years service as RMT members. The award ceremony took place in Plymouth and was carried out by general secretary Bob Crow. WIMBLEDON: 40-year badges were presented to Pat Enright, Bob Hamilton, Bob Thomas, Norman Evans and a 25-year badge went to Nigel Denyer. Wimbledon winners Hants celebrates 250 years in the union Euston presentation Members who received badges pictures are: L to R seated – John Pitman (40), Pete Ivey (40), Maurice Scarle (40), John Simpson (40). L to R standing – Dereck Hayes (25), Peter Jackson (40), Alan Mayhew (25), Roger Griffiths (40), Ray Costin (25), Bob Moreland (25), Dave Turner (not presented but snuck in the picture), Michael Turner (25), Robin Stockbridge (40). Also presented but not in the picture was Dave Titheridge (40). L to R: Ian Harris, Steve Sobey, Mike Burt and Tom Best Tom and Steve achieve 40 years service Euston No1 Branch secretary Pat Donahue, Hugh Wallis, receiving his 25-year badge, Arthur Grimwood, receiving his 40-year badge, Bob Crow, Danny Hanlon, receiving his 40-year badge and Daniel Sinha.