Railway accident on
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
MARCH 2007
‘BIG IN STATURE, BIG IN HEART’
JOHN MEDLAND – 2007 started with a heavy cloud over the depot: John Medland, a
staunch member of our fraternity, passed away in January after being diagnosed with a
terminal brain tumour. John was only 41, and leaves behind him a gaping hole in both his
‘families’ – the railway and his own family.
His departure after such a short period of sickness leaves us all wondering, ‘Why?’ After
some twenty-odd years with the railway his loss will be sadly felt and we all reflect on his t
ime with us. He was a man big in stature and big in heart.
John leaves a wife and two teenage children. He started as a trainee driver with the then
Network Southeast/Connex train companies and remained with us at Brighton under the new ‘Southern Trains’ throughout his career.
Chris Newton
Brighton
ALAN TAYLOR of Norwood Junction branch received his 50 year medallion from District Organiser Graham Morris last month. Alan retires after many decades of loyal and selfless service as a local representative, chair of the Council of District and a member of the Appeals Committee.
These years of dedication and experience were recognised by his colleagues at the 2002 Annual Assemblyof Delegates, when they elected him to chair the conference. The members of the Southern Joint branches wish him along and happy retirement and years of activity within the retired members section.
Carine Visser & Simon Weller at the May Day rally in 2007
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
JUNE 2007
Well organised, Mick!
I’D LIKE to thank Dave Tyson and Tony Patterson on behalf of the representatives from
Central Trains, First Capital Connect, Midland Mainline and Silverlink who attended the
pensions seminar at Peterborough. They offered lucid information and explanations about this complex subject. Thanks are also due to Mick Whelan, District 6 Organiser, for arranging the seminar.
A.T. Farmer
Secretary
F. C. C. Company Council
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
JUNE 2007
ASLEF support invaluable
I AM writing to express my sincere gratitude to the local representatives, members of the
company council and any other ASLEF union officials who helped and advised me during my recent problems at work.
I know everyone worked tirelessly in obtaining a satisfactory outcome but a special mention
should be made for Brothers Kevin Eade, Roy Luxford and my local rep Paul Overington.
If it were not for all the support of my fellow union members, I am sure I would no longer be a train driver.
C. Booth
Brighton
ANDY GREGG COLLECTION
Andy Gregg
Brighton Virgin/Arriva Depot L.D.C. representative
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
JULY 2007
BARNHAM BID
TERRY FAREWELL
Train crew gathered at Bognor Regis on 23 February to say farewell to Terry Whiffen who opted to retire early after 36 years railway service. We wish him well.
Terry joined the railway in 1971, gaining promotion through grade to driver at Victoria Eastern, Bognor Regis and finally Barnham.
After giving an update on Greyrigg and the Bob Morgan case, Andy Reed presented Terry with gift vouchers and his ASLEF retirement certificate.
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 2007
Thanks for your support
THANK YOU so much for your letter of July 20 and the cheque. What a wonderful surprise!
Robert and I would like you all to know how much we appreciate your kindness at this time.
The money will be most useful. I am hoping to purchase a leg/arm exercise machine
(motorized) to help him improve his circulation and muscle power. All disability equipment
seems to be rather expensive so as you can imagine your gift is wonderful for us.
Thank you again.
June Attwood
(for Bob Attwood)
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 2007
Thanks for further term
I WOULD like to offer my sincere thanks to all the members who voted for me to retain my position as National Organiser. There is much work to do as we strive to continually improve ASLEF’s organisation,
communication and negotiating abilities. It has always been my aim to provide the first-class union that our members deserve. I am grateful to you for the opportunity to work towards this end for a further five years.
Once again, many thanks.
Andy Reed
National Organiser
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 2007
Thanks - and a warning
I WISH to thank all of you who supported me in the recent National Organiser’s election.
Although I was unsuccessful it was very heartening to have you place your faith in me.
We should take the very low turn out as a warning as it highlights the importance of
communicating with the wider membership and ensuring that ASLEF remains relevant in the workplace. I intend to continue this work in my role as the Executive Committee member for District 1.
Once again, thank you for your support.
Simon Weller
Executive Committee
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
EASTBOURNE
OCTOBER 2007
John Mould from the union’s Eastbourne branch was presented with a badge to commemorate 45 years of A.S.L.E.F. membership at union headquarters last month. He told Keith Norman that he began work on the platform at Cooden Beach before moving onto the footplate in 1962.
Eastbourne branch officials and district EC member Simon Weller accompanied John to Arkwright Road to mark this landmark in his union history.
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
OCTOBER 2007
BRIGHTON BRANCH
Thanks for your support
Thank you so much for your letter of July 20 and the cheque. What a wonderful surprise!
Robert and I would like you all to know how much we appreciate your kindness at this time.
The money will be most useful. I am hoping to purchase a leg/arm exercise machine
(motorized) to help improve his circulation and muscle power. All disability equipment seems to be rather expensive so as you can imagine your gift is wonderful for us.
Thank you again.
June Attwood
(for Bob Attwood)
The 10th anniversary of the Brighton Thameslink depot
designed by Branch Chairman Ivan Wilson
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2007
SELHURST BRANCH
Henry John English - private, principled and loyal
HENRY JOHN ENGLISH – or Harry, as we all knew him - passed away peacefully on 30 August this year at the home of his son Peter, who had been caring for him during his illness. He was born on 2 January 1924.
Harry started work at Nine Elms MP in 1946 after leaving the Armed Forces. During his time serving with the Royal Marine Commandos during WW11 he was based at various times at Dieppe, Sicily, Italy, Yugoslavia, the Adriatic and Greece. Harry was a ‘founder member’ of the first RM Commando - that consisted entirely of volunteers.
Harry progressed in the footplate grades and worked as a Driver at several depots on the Western and Central Divisions of the Southern. When he became redundant at Coulsdon North EMUT he elected to move to St Pancras, and it was from this depot he retired in 1989. Harry was a private man with very strong principles
and fierce loyalty to his friends. He helped many people during his working life, and expected nothing in return.
Admired by all those who met him, Harry will be mourned and sadly missed,
Our thoughts are with his family
Andrew Cook
Secretary
Selhurst Branch