BATTERSEA & CLAPHAM JUNCTION
A.S.L.E.&F. BRANCH
The Battersea Branch of A.S.L.E.& F. was renamed in January, 1965, to incorporate the A.S.L.E&F. members based at Clapham Junction. It’s not know if the members at Clapham Junction worked on the South Western Division or the Central Division.
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
JANUARY 1965
PAGE 15
EXTRACTED FROM DISTRICT ORGANISER
BRO. D.K. PULLEN’S REPORT
Probably the high spot of activity in recent week was the visit of the General Secretary to the South Eastern Division of the Southern Region to meet the L.D.C. representatives on the vexed question of bonus payments. Later, in the LIONS’ DEN at NEW CROSS, Bro. Griffiths dealt with a few of the pressing problems of the Division at a mass meeting of the lads concerned. In a situation of deep depression, this was just the tonic needed - and a lively meeting agreed that the G.S. had done a good job. The subsequent discussion on rates of pay and bonus schemes were closely followed by those present at the meeting.
Brighton (2) Branch can always be relied upon to stage a lively meeting if the Organiser or
E.C. Member happens to look in.
No bones broken at the November meeting, though this was not the fault of certain members
present. George Webb was well to the fore, as usual, ably assisted by his younger disciples at the back. I always enjoy a meeting at Brighton, though I can’t think why for the moment.
Selhurst and Bognor Regis Branches are currently grappling with housing problems on behalf of members and we are doing our best to ease the burden of transferred members. This is a very difficult one to solve.
At Selhurst, we were recently shattered by the news that Len Taverner had been removed from track duties by the M.O. This meant an unexpected shake up of the L.D.C. because Len has been transferred to Selhurst depot and thus loses his seat at West Croydon after many years in office. Bro. Taverner has the best wishes of all his colleagues for a full and speedy recover.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
BIGHTON M.T. DRIVER ROY SWEETMAN
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
JANUARY 1965
PAGE 12
NORWOOD BRANCH
The first year since I was elected Branch Secretary has now gone by, and thanks to assistance from other officials my job has been made easier for me.
Branch meetings for this past year have been more in number but there are still not enough members attending other than the same faces each time; we are hoping to see more in the New Year as our depot is being moved to a new site in Norwood Yard, and that this is sure to cause some unrest and new problems to our members.
We have two members on the L.D.C. this coming year, and we hope that the men at the depot will co-operate with them in their duties; they are Bros. H. Plumb and G. Andrews.
J. HEWING
BRANCH SECRETARY
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
FEBRUARY 1965
PAGE 39
SELHURST BRANCH
December saw the Branch A.G.M. Arranged for a Sunday to include both shifts, it proved a very lively meeting. It was refreshing indeed, and a promise of things to come, to see younger members volunteering for positions as officers of the Branch.
A good report was read from Organising SecretaryDon Pullen re Housing of Railway Tenants; it fell a bit flat with the summing-up that “not much can be done without Government intervention.”
Still confusion and wrong interpretations as regards use of taxis and application of Factory Act to local problems. Members urged that they need legal advice from Head Office. L.D.C.’s complained that when meeting Management they become “amateurs” against “professionals” when discussing legal points.
Election of officers saw a few changes, and, owing to the new area organisation, two new L.D.C. representatives, including Secretary and Chairman.
Selhurst have a big job on their hands for 1965 but are ready for it. The efforts of a few are bringing rewards; the attendances are up.
E. PENTECOST
BRANCH REPORTER
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
FEBRUARY 1965
PAGE 40
BATTERSEA BRANCH
Last January the “General” came along and opened the first meeting of the combined Battersea and Clapham Junction Branch. Reviewing the actives of members of the members and officers over the past year I think the venture has been a great success; this from most members’ point of view.
Chairman Bro. D. Carew had to resign office due to personal reasons; whilst his absence will be greatly felt at Branch Meetings, we are assured that our new Chairman, Bro. R. Lifford, will be able to encompass the duties without difficulty.
The Nons and Lapsed Members are still a headache, but it has been pleasing note that in the last few weeks the Officers are really getting results in this field. I must as Branch Secretary pay my sincere thanks to them for their endeavours.
We have had some very good Retirement Presentations, at which Bros. M. Renshaw and A Stanton have officiated. We have not yet had the pleasure of the company of the General or Assistant, but we hope this will be possible in the mot-too-distant futures.
The men who retire from the service of the B.R.B. and Society are deserving of every consideration that our social Section can give them.
R. Weeks
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
MARCH 1965
PAGE 77
DON PULLEN
DISTRICT ORGANISER No. 7 REPORT
Norwood Junction M.P.D. has recently taken up its premises and walked, so to say. The depot has moved, lock, stock and barrel, to newer pastures and of, course, there are the attendant difficulties and hardships for the staff concerned. Once again we have the sorry spectacle of a wholesale removal before the new depot is half completed. Maybe the Southern Region has treated its staff a little better than, for instance the London Midland in this matter - but this transfer could have been handled in better style if a little more thought had gone into the preliminaries.
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
APRIL 1965
LONDON BRIDGE BRANCH
Congratulations to the General Secretary on the termination of the pay rise negotiations. In company with other members of my branch I was fortunate enough to hear the G.S. put our case at Holborn Town Hall. I’ll give him 10, and vote him “a hit.” The congratulations were tempered by expressions of dissatisfaction at the length of time negotiations take, and the fact that the Tribunal chose to ignore the General Secretary’s request that the award be made retrospective.
A vote of thanks to H.O. for obtaining a day off with pay for men not require to work on 28 December, 1964.
A vote of thanks also to E.C. member Bro. Bill Williams for coming along to the Branch on 7 January and listening to the members’ points of view.
One of our most vociferous members, Branch Collector and L.D.C. man, Bro. D. Upton, resigned “British Rail” employment. Congratulations to E. Barnes on being the successful Branch nominee for L.D.C.
This Branch feels that the rush by the management to dispense with tail lamps in favour of the roller blinds requires more thought. The L.D.C. were instructed to put our point of view to Management.
Applications for membership continue, mainly from lapsed members. Let us hope that payrolls deductions will eliminate this anomaly, and also the NONS in our midst.
A.J. Boyd
Branch Reporter
Extracted and adapted from
Tunbridge Wells Branch Meeting
Sunday May 30th 1965 at 10.45 p.m.
at the Welfare Rooms, Central Station.
The Branch Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming Bro. Dray of Sectional Council No. 2 who was present to keep us in the regarding picture the redundancies at Tunbridge Wells West.
General Committee meeting report was then given, but we were reminded of the position of June 14th when there would only be 34 men available and it was agreed to discuss this at a future meeting.
L.D.C. Report was given by Bro. Brooker who covered full the L.D.C. Efforts to to illuminate some of the hardships caused by the redundancy and the Branch's thanks are recorded to the L.D.C for the way in which they rose to the occasion and made every effort to fight the management on the position of redundancy at Tunbridge Wells West.
Bro. Dray then gave his report and expressed his regret over the decision of redundancy at our Branch by this outlined some of the problems facing the Union and Sectional Council, he related that by 1967 there would be no Depot at Nine Elms and there would be a possible 150 men redundant; Guildford was affected and it was proposed to freeze the vacancies at these depots to allow a gradual run down.
Question were then asked by Bros. Stephenson, Blackmore & Savage. Bros, Stephenson and Blackmore regardng their respective moves to Orpington and Tonbridge, and Bro. Savage asked Bro Dray if it were not possible for the redundant men to be carried at Tonbridge until vacancies occurred. Bro. Dray said he would raise this question with Management.
There being no more questions or business to discuss Bro. Brooker thanked Bro. Dray for his presence who replied that he would be pleased to attend any of our meetings in the future.
It was proposed Bro. Blackmore seconded Bro. Bridger that a vote of thanks be given to Bro. Dray, this was carried Unam.
The meeting was closed at 12.20.
Membes present Bros. R. Bridger, E. Dunmall, Baldwin, R. Dunmall, Oakly, Blackmore, Coomber, E. Francis, Saunders, Card, T. Hollands, Robinson, Chalklin, R. Brown, Kibbey, Savage, Russell, Rumley, Gower & Brooker.
In attendance at this meeting was 20 of members out of a membership of 52 members.
THE END OF STEAM IN MID SUSSEX
The last steam service to operate between Three Bridges to East Grinstead line was on Friday 11th June, departing Three Bidges at 18.07 and arriving at East Grinstead High Level at 18.36
BIFF MANVELL COLLECTION
Three Bridges Fireman Biff Manvell
THE CLOSURE OF TWO RAILWAY LINESBOTH LINES CLOSED ON THE 12th JUNE 1965
THE CLOSURE OF THE CRANLEIGH LINE
CHRIST'S HOSPITAL TO GUILDFORD.
The line between Christ’s Hospital and Guildford via Cranliegh close on the 14 June 1965. . The last day of full service was on Saturday 12 June and the last train left Guildford at 19.34 worked by Three Bridges Driver Ken Chapman and Fireman Biff Manvell working an Ivatt Tank 2-6-2T, no. 41287. It consisted of two three-coach sets carrying some 400 passengers.
A special service of nine coaches carrying around 400 passengers and hauled by ex- Southern Railway Q1 Class 0-6-0 locomotives was organised on Sunday 13 June by the Locomotive Club of Great Britain, with the last train leaving Guildford at 18.55 and returning back at 20.34. The line closed on Monday 14th June, 1965
KEN CHAPMAN COLLECTION
Left - Right Three Bridges Foreman John Newcombe,
Three Bridges Fireman Biff Manvell & Driver Ken Chapman
The engine returned to the “Bridges” depot from Horsham after having worked
the last train from Guildford to Horsham, Saturday 12th June 1965
On Saturday 12th June 1965, saw the partial closure of the Cuckoo line between Eridge and
Polegate. The line was closed in various stages in the coming years. The section of line between Polegate to Heathfield was kept open to enable goods trains from Eastbourne to run to Hailsham and Heathfield.
There was also a passenger service was continued between Hailsham and Polegate. The line was finally closed on the 8th September 1968, even though it was hotly contested by the general public.
The last rostered steam train departing from Tunbridge Wells West to Eastbourne via "the Cuckoo Line” 12th June 1965. worked by Eastbourne Enginemen
Driver George Terry & Fireman Bob Waghorne
THE WEALDS MAN RAIL TOUR JUNE 1965
Trevor Morris Collection
The photo above was taken during the Wealds Man Rail Tour Special which was to become the last train to work down the "Cuckoo Line” on Sunday 13th June 1965
Left to Right Eastbourne Driver Spud Murphy & Fireman Stan Laycock
& Redhill Driver Roger Pickthall & Fireman Trevor Morris
Peckham Rye E.M.U.T. maintenance sheds closed in c1965 with the work on the PUL/PAN/COR/BUF and RES units being transferred to new maintenance sheds at Selhurst
Depot. Berthing of units lasted until April 1967 so it is thought that is when the Motorman’s
Depot would have closed (this is to be confirmed) and the site was demolished in 1969.
PULBOROUGH
18th AUGUST 1965
DAVID GILLIAM COLLECTION
Driver Dennis Gillam Brighton M.T.
Railway accident on British Railways
Southern Region
Central Division
DAVID WARD COLLECTION
Roundstone Level Crossing 22nd September 1965
Involving Brighton Driver L. Parker
SEE SUB PAGE
BEDFORD DRIVER BILL DAVIES
REFLECTS ON THE 1965
MANNING ARRANGEMENTS
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
OCTOBER 2014
Adapted from an article
by Bill Davies
The Manning Arrangements become applicable from Monday 25 October, 1965, this incredible agreement came into place awarding a ‘star’ to all who had started before this date, which not only ensured future employment, but protected their earnings as well. historically, it was one of the finest agreements ever signed by A.S.L.E.F. to protect members in the line of promotion.
In essence, firemen would no longer be required on the new traction, then replacing steam, although it was not until August 1968 that this form of traction was finally phased out, with one notable exception, in the Vale of Rheidol. (On Wednesday 11th August, 1968, the Fifteen Guinea Special was the last British Rail steam train to run between Liverpool, Manchester and Carlisle.)
The agreement that was reached provided arrangements for the displaced fireman to accompany his driver on his rostered turn or, if he was required for other duties, to receive payment for that turn, whichever was the greater. At some depots firemen who were disadvantaged financially by being removed from their turn were then covered in the form of a ghost link which identified what their turn of duty would have been, with the appropriate payment.
Branch Meeting was held on Sunday 26th December 1965
at the Royal British Legion Seaford
Head Office letter re Bro. A. Rookley.
moved by Bro. D. Renville and seconded Bro. R. Morris.
"That the Secretary write to Head Office requesting Bro. A. Rookley membership over 65, as he has unbroken railway service acting as a Guard at Seaford."
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Tunbridge Wells West