Grangemouth at 100 (part two)
Grangemouth Refinery near Falkirk in Scotland began operating in 1924 and celebrates its centenary this year. We look back at its history in this year’s bps news with each edition covering 25 years. In this edition, we go back to the early 1950s and the post-war expansion of the refinery and end with the late […]
Norman Tottenham-Smith (1923-2024)
We are saddened to report the passing of Norman Tottenham-Smith at the age of 101. We featured Norman, known affectionately as ‘Totters’, when he turned 100 in the August 2023 bps news. We understand that he was delighted with our good wishes last year and remained his age-defying, outgoing self in his New Hampshire retirement […]
Keeping it in the family
Photo: Margaret’s father, John Law Gibb, playing golf in Abadan. Interestingly, though not a golfer, Steve took the same set of clubs to Das Island some 40 years later and played a round on the unique golf course on Das. I’m grateful to Steve and Margaret Elms from Maidstone in Kent for emailing me with […]
By-ron by Clive
I’m indebted to Clive Brookes for emailing us with news of his latest book – ‘Byron and the Sea’. Clive wrote the book to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the death of the poet Lord Byron on 19 April 1824 and tells us that it’s been well received by academics and the general public alike. […]
Sympathy and a fascinating story of a gold key
I’m grateful to Valerie Cook from Upper Beeding in West Sussex for emailing me and expressing sympathy with my ‘tumbleweed moment’ as mentioned in the February 2024 newsletter. Valerie writes: ‘Over the years I’ve edited several club/society magazines and newsletters and have had many of those moments. I was always left with the same thought […]
Anniversaries
If you would like us to publish a significant wedding or civil partnership anniversary, please send us details, including your first, or known names, and the town where you live. We offer our congratulations to the following members: Paul and Diane Bradly of Misterton, 60 years in July. Charles (Chic) and Sarah Fleming of Chertsey, […]
New Members: Dec 2023 – Feb 2024
In December, January and Febraury we welcomed the following new members and invite them to make contact with their region. IN DECEMBER: Ms April Ashton of Littleton WinchesterMrs Irene Burt of FalkirkMrs Lynette Clement of Bishops Stortford. IN JANUARY: Mr David Anderson of HoveMrs Jessie Byford of SherborneMr James Chapman of HindheadMr Frederick Harper of […]