​The most recent news and photographs are at the start. Scroll down to see past events or scroll to the bottom of the page to contact Viv Perry.

Chatterbox, the newsletter for the South Wales branch has now been discontinued. Please click here to see the past issues.

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6th September 2023

We met on Wednesday 6th September 2023 trying a new establishment on the Mumbles, Swansea. We ventured a little deeper into the Mumbles to a restaurant called The Mermaid Café Bar & Restaurant recommended by Clive Hillman, one of our BP members,  who had several nice meals with his wife Flo here in the past. Like many restaurants today especially in a tourist location there are staff shortages.  Even though our group has severely depleted for this meeting due to illnesses and mobility issues (our best wishes to all who could not attend) the service left a lot to be desired. Moreover, the quality, likely because of staffing took a nose dive. So, not the best of experiences. BUT, it must be said, everyone had a great time, the conversation buzzed and there was a lot of laughter. By the way we had to pay for parking which Swansea Council had raised to £2.50 an hour.
 
With our numbers getting so small we did discuss whether the group should fold and maybe we call it a day. The members’ spouses made it clearly understood that this was unacceptable and we should continue. Shell Mex & BP clearly ‘lives on’ with the camaraderie spirit members enjoyed when in the work environment – mainly our group are Terminal members. (Drivers, Mechanics and Admin).  With the next RPI pensions award coming, a brief discussion took place on the next pension rise and whether any retrospective adjustment would be considered – we await.
 
As a group we discussed Christmas, yep it needs to be booked once again. We all agreed to return to The Norton Hotel with free parking and pleasant surroundings. As it is a Christmas lunch – usual Turkey and Christmas pudding with other alternatives of course. I need to reserve the number of people coming and pay a small £5 per head deposit together with pre-selecting a menu of your choice. So, please contact me at the earliest opportunity. The venue is all confirmed for Wednesday 13th December 2023 arriving as usual around 11:30 for pre-drinks and lunch at 12:30.
 
Our next branch meeting we have agreed will be in March 2024 around Wednesday 6th or 13th. We are going to try another venue – King Arthur Hotel, Reynoldson, Gower SA3 1AD. All who can join us please let me know either on the phone 01834 871552 or e-mail. If you can come please let me know your mobile number so I can add you to our WhatsApp Group

The Norton House Hotel – 14 December 2022

Woodman Pub, Mumbles 25 May 2022

The Norton House Hotel – 13 July 2022

The South Wales Branch has met four times since the last update. 
 
We were pleased to come together on:

• Tuesday 25th May 2022
• Wednesday 13th July 2022
• Wednesday 14 September 2022
• Wednesday 14th December 2022

 
As I indicated in the last report we thought we would try a different venue for our May meeting – ‘Woodman’ a public house on the Mumbles Road. We found the car parking superb. The pub atmosphere/ambiance was great. We were able to locate ourselves in a part of the pub away from the bar which was congenial for our banter and conversation. Unfortunately, the food whilst, a most suitable menu, was not all delivered at the same time. So many of us were waiting sometime and shall we say the food was not as hot as it should have been.

We decided it was appropriate to return to Norton House for our July meeting until we were able to do some reconnaissance on a few other venues. Don and Anne (Llantwit Major) will be pleased to know that we all agreed that we would now like to move to having a meal rather than a ‘open sandwich’. 
 
The key requirement of our venue choices is that the place must have good parking – preferably free with easy access. Secondly, it must have somewhere for us to meet and greet as it has become our practice to convene around 11.00am for coffee. One of our couples are very early risers so are often at the location by 10:30am. My wife and I, together with a few of our members, live between 30 to 50 miles away so we don’t arrive until 11:00/11:30. Lunch is at 12:30. Thirdly, the menu needs to be ‘simple food’ and the cost affordable, i.e.no more than £20 per person. There must be a bar as those not driving do like a tipple!!
 
So, we returned to The Norton House Hotel on Wednesday 13th July. It was an absolute gorgeous day. Whilst the whole country had soring temperatures, West Wales was hot but not unbearable. We met in the gardens with a cool beer or a nice glass of wine.

Our next gathering was again at The Norton House Hotel purely for convenience as it was Wednesday 14th September and we had little time to explore a new venue. Suffice to say I forgot to take a photograph and we missed Don and Anne our resident photographer. Summer was busy for all our members with family gathering or friends – this was the time everyone really started to enjoy the ‘freedom’ from COVID. One or two did experience a couple of set-backs with their health. Our warmest wishes go out to Stuart, Eyra and Barbara.
 
We came together for Christmas on 14 December 2022. Our experience last year was pretty good on the whole, hence we returned again to The Norton House Hotel, Mumbles.

​The traditional three course meal was appreciated and the food in general was more than satisfactory at £25 per person. The service was in places was questionable but we all understood that temporary staff were recruited. At times we could have a good laugh at the inexperience and frustration shown but in a most polite way. It is fair to say that we all agreed a new venue is needed. Suggestions made were:

• The George Hotel, Mumbles – Clive and Flo to follow up
• The Woodman Pub – Viv and Chris to follow up
• The Cliff, Southgate – Rowena and Dave to follow up 

 
I am no longer writing to our membership due to the cost of postage so anyone wanting to communicate with us should contact me – Viv Perry. All our members have my number and if you scroll down to the bottom of this page you can email me direct.
 
Our regular members now all have mobile phones. I have set up a WHATSAPP group so we can chat. Should any new members like to join us it would be most advantageous to have a mobile to receive and send messages on our WHATSAPP group.
 
Our next gathering will be Wednesday 1st March 2023. Venue to be confirmed.
​

We met once again on Tuesday 29th March at the Norton House Hotel, Mumbles, Swansea. As you can see our numbers were somewhat depleted due to unfortunately illness. Our warmest best wishes are to Eira, Graham (and Sylvia) who were unable to make it due to ill health and we wish them speedy recovery. We also give our warmest and best wishes to Yvonne who had a torrid time last month but still made our meeting. 

We had a lively chat about the recent pay rise and although many would like to have more for the ‘cost of living’ we were satisfied that 7% (maximum under pension rules) was a nice benefit. Everyone agreed that with electricity, gas/ oil, Council Tax and transport cost the rise would be fully utilised. We had one of our couples decide to walk to the venue - quite a distance from where they live at Sketty.

Whilst we happy with our meeting at Norton House Hotel we chatted about making a change to have perhaps more of a pub atmosphere and maybe a choice of pub food. So, we are now meeting Wednesday 25th May 2022 at the Woodman (Blackpill) arrival around 11:30 as usual for a lunch at 12:30. The Woodman is on the Mumbles Road (120) about 1 km before the Norton House Hotel turning - so a little closer. Plenty of parking on the Pub site with an overflow public parking for the park  next to pub - free parking. Post code SA3 5AS.

You all have my number so if anyone needs to chat contact me.

I have looked at venues closer to Port Talbot, Cardiff and Carmarthen but so far support is minimal and the regulars who attend all live within easy reach of ’The Mumbles’ Apologies to Stuart (travels from Aberaeron), Donald Anne (Llantwit Major) so I do not suggest or plan any location change - if you would like to join us but location is a problem please let me know so I can reconsider.

Our meetings are every two months with a minimal cost for a sandwich and drink although pub food is on the agenda. I will send a copy of the menu nearer the date. We are not a formal group so we do not have a formal constitution, subscription fees or even any meeting minutes or even a committee - everyone verbally contributes to what and where we meet. So, the cost is just your own what you eat and drink. We do not even split costs for the meal - just pay for what you want. We just come together for a chat especially the ‘women’ who seem to have fun on a wide variety of subjects whilst the guys solve world problems!!. Everyone is welcome.

Viv Perry

We met once again on Wednesday 9th February 2022 at our regular meeting place – the Norton Hotel, Mumbles, Swansea. Our numbers were a little reduced due to a combination of reasons. Let me take this opportunity to wish all the best wishes to our members who were unable to join us.

To Graham and Sylvia Cork particular, we all were sad you were not able to come due to Graham's long awaited ‘hip replacement’. We sincerely hope an appointment is forthcoming soon.

Yvonne seen on the far left in the picture above enjoyed her 80th birthday on 15th January and we wish her a very Happy Returns. Yvonne would you believe went to the hospital for her routine heart check up on 10th February and ended up having to stay overnight - her heart was rate was racing and blood pressure was not so good. With all the hilarity we may need to calm things down at our meetings - we did have a great time. Best wishes Yvonne, take it easy!!!

We are also pleased to say that Stuart’s daughter who had been receiving treatment for bone cancer – she is only 45  – appears to have turned a corner and is now doing very well. She is in remission and appears to be on the road to recovery. Good to see you once again at the meeting Stu!!!

Our next meeting was discussed and whilst we wanted to come together as usual on a Wednesday the hotel could not  accommodate us. So, we will come together on TUESDAY 29th March at 11:30 for light lunch at 12:30. I say this but most are arriving by 11:00 am.

You may need to note that with postal costs rising and the response to meeting dates I will no longer producing a ’News letter’ Chatterbox. I have set up a WhatsApp group and asked all attendees to let me know their mobile phone numbers. Now I appreciate many do not use WhatsApp so we had a little session at the last meeting to load the App. We have a couple of issues  which we will sort out at the next meeting. For those who do not have a mobile phone, of which there are a few, please check this web site for regular notifications. I shall continue to publish in the 44 Club magazine.

Lastly, as you know the SPA South Wales branch has now fully closed. Should any Shell pensioner wish to come along to our meetings, you are more than welcome. Shell and BP Drivers also come together regularly and whilst I have invited them to come to our meetings with their wives, they have decided to stay independent as a 'men only’ club - the invitation will remain open for any of the drivers’ to bring along their wives to our meetings; we can promise good company for all. We do not have any formal meetings with minutes, subscriptions etc. we just a group of fellow pensioners coming together for a good gossip!!

I’ll sign out now and look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday 29th March.

Viv Perry

To all our friends and colleagues of today and past a Very Merry Christmas and Happy prosperous New Year. Finally, after a pretty gruelling 2021 following also 2020 when we unable to get together to celebrate the season of goodwill we finally came together on Wednesday 15th December 2021. 
 
Our group was slightly expanded so the women decided it was best that the men had their conversation and they could have a good time with ‘girls’ only on a table. We were very pleased to welcome Eira Griffiths back into the 44 Club. Friends were missed especially those who have been unwell. We look forward to them re-joining us in 2022.

It was also very nice to celebrate David Sanders 84th birthday. Dan worked for many a year at Swansea Terminal in the capacity of a mechanic. Every expense was spared and he enjoyed mince pies with one candle!!!

The guys had to cope with the abundance of conversation on today’s politics, sport and of course fond memories of times gone by.

Our sincere condolences to Jill for the very sad passing of a good friend to many from Swansea, terminal driver Jack Edwards who sadly just recently passed. A very special thanks to Elise Jacks’s daughter for letting us know. The 44 Club magazine have been notified for the next publication.
 
We received a lovely card from Eira to all at the 44 Club inclusive of everyone in the support group in London and the 44 Club committee and the magazine.
 
South Wales branch are pleased to announce the next meeting will be Wednesday 9th February 2022 at the Norton House Hotel, Mumbles. The Norton House hotel since Christmas has undergone a bit of a refurbishment and has now re-opened.
 
We shall meet as usual around 11:30 for a light lunch at 12:30. Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing all who can come.

Viv Perry

​We met for the first time this year on Wednesday 22nd September at the Norton House Hotel, Mumbles and whilst our numbers were low everyone enjoyed being together after such a long time.

A few of our members have not been very well so we miss them and wish them a speedy recovery. We also missed some of our regular attendees and our warmest best wishes go out to them and look forward to seeing them at our next meeting. 
  
We have planned the next gathering will be Wednesday 3rd November with our Christmas function Wednesday 15th December. Christmas this year will be at the Norton House Hotel, Mumbles. Members can contact Viv Perry if they are wanting to attend.
 
It’s been a long, long time since we came together, and events have moved on significantly. SPA branch has completely closed in South Wales. There is a Facebook site which I would recommend using should you wish to be kept informed of any Shell news. You can find the information in the SPA magazine which remains in publication. However, we are very keen to see anyone from Shell and of course BP join us.

Viv Perry

Norton House Hotel, 22 September 2021

Norton House Hotel, 22 September 2021

​South Wales Branch have been able to keep regular contact by phone for the core members who come along to the lunches. Everyone is managing okay. Our next meeting will be Wednesday 30th September 2020 for 11:00/11:30am with lunch at 12 noon at our usual venue – The Norton House Hotel, Mumbles, Swansea. 

With the closure of the SPA South Wales branch all who were SMBP employees, branded to Shell or BP, are very welcome to join the 44 Club South Wales branch. We understand those who worked in Shell Tankers (fleet or coastal), Shell Chemicals and subsidiary companies e.g. Colas, Enterprise etc. would join their respective groups. 

Any new potential members interested should contact Viv Perry via the contact form at the end of this page.

Can everyone please note future reservations for Wednesday 11th November together with our Christmas gathering for Wednesday 16th December 2020. All at The Norton House Hotel, Mumbles. A deposit will be required for Christmas so could members please advise Viv Perry either at the September meeting or by e-mail.

Stay safe,

Viv
26 August 2020

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The Spring 2020 edition of Chatterbox is now available. Please click here to read it. (Depending how fast your internet connection is this may take a few moments to appear.)

If you would like to receive updates about South Wales Branch by text please click here to send your mobile phone number to Viv Perry.

Please stay safe in these difficult times and follow the advice provided by the UK Government.

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We all gathered once again at for a very festive lunch at The Norton House Hotel, Mumbles on 18th December 2019.  Built in 1790 and now run as a 3* Hotel, Norton House Hotel is a traditional, classic style building, set in spacious gardens, close to the historic village of Mumbles. It has an aspect of charm, character and sophistication our visit was one we shall remember. 

We met for coffee and a chat at 11:30 followed by lunch in the conservatory at 12:30. As our number were 12, we enjoyed a good size couple of round tables but as you can see from the photo below the ladies favoured the top table away from the men. The men enjoyed a great deal of reminiscing of time gone by whereas the girls …. well their subjects were far ranging as you would expect. Our meal was a traditional Christmas fayre lunch with turkey and the trimmings with Christmas pudding. 

The South Wales branch have agreed to meet every two months – on the second Wednesday - in 2020. We shall be changing the venue for the next meeting to the Mountain Gate, Ammonford on Wednesday 8th January. Meeting will come together at 11.30am for coffee and a chat with light lunch at 12.30pm. Everyone is welcome. The plan is to meet Wednesday 11th March, 13th May, 8th July, 9th September, 11th November and Christmas (date to be agreed).
 
I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy prosperous New Year 
 
Best wishes to everyone.  
 
Viv Perry

Christmas Lunch 2019

Left to right: Glyn and Barbara Steadman, Yvonne and Alan Davies,  Rowena and Dave Sanders,
Sylvia and Graham Cork, Flo and Clive Hillman, Christine and Viv Perry.

Norton House Hotel

The Summer visit to Don and Ann Knight's Japanese garden was a highlight of the year. A full report is in the Winter Edition of the 44 Club Magazine (no 165) but here are some additional photographs as a reminder of the day.

Photographs from the Summer 2019 Outing to Don and Ann Knight's Japanese Garden

​The Autumn 2019 edition of Chatterbox is now online, just click HERE to read it.

The Spring 2019 edition of Chatterbox is now online, just click HERE to read it.

South Wales Branch met again on 13 February 2019 in the convivial surroundings of Sketty Hall, Sketty, Swansea and I think it’s fair to say we all had a an enjoyable time. Lunch was the usual jacket potato or a nice tasty sandwich but in private dining. We enjoyed a welcome drink in the bar prior to dining where we gathered and had a good 'chin wag’.

Thanks to our resident photographer Don Knight who took as many photographs as he could in the relaxed atmosphere. Sketty Hall management treated us with excellent courtesy and could not have been more helpful. We all paid for ourselves so those who did not drink had a cheap bill but the quality of the light lunch is pretty good.

We had a very wide open discussion on our plans to visit Don and Ann's garden in Llantwit Major. Don has been a keen bonsai gardener for over 40 years and created a garden whenever he has moved house. This one is no exception. They charge on ‘entrance’ fee of £5 and all money is for the Great Ormond Street children’s hospital caner research. We plan to go Wednesday 12 June, although we are looking at the Sunday 9th as well. We will meet at Sketty Hall around 10 am. and have a minibus, alternatively we can go in a group of cars (cost dependant). Don and Ann will provide a light lunch - sandwiches and tea. We should return to Sketty hall by 5.00 pm. An invitation will be out soon and we hope to extend our visit to friend and colleagues from the SPA and BPA social groups.

Our next meeting at Sketty Hall is Wednesday 10 April 2019 at 11:30 for coffee with lunch around 12:30. Hope to see you all there.

​All at Sketty Hall enjoyed Christmas lunch on Thursday 13 December 2018. Glyn Jones and his wife Marged joined us for the first time. 
 
Our group (see photograph below, from left to right) is David Sanders, Graham Corke, Rowena Sanders, Sylvia Corke, Glyn Jones (pseudo father Christmas), Clive Hillman, Viv Perry, Marged Jones, Chris Perry, Flo Hillman and Stuart Evans. We missed Alan and Yvonne Davies who regrettably are both unwell and we all wish them a very speedy recovery. Don and Ann Knight had a previous engagement therefore we missed with his camera and photographic abilities but we look forward to seeing them at our next meeting. 

We have arranged to meet on Wednesday 13th February at 11:30 for coffee followed by a light lunch. After a lively discussion it was decided to meet bi-monthly and therefore provisional booking has been made for 2nd Wednesday in April, June, August, October, December 2019.
 
The group also discussed a couple of trips. We all agreed about a day to Don and Ann Knight Japanese garden in late Spring. Two additional potential trips discussed was to Llantrisant – Royal Mint where we can have an opportunity to sit on a ‘million’ pounds. Moreover, an historic trip to ‘Big Pit’ the South Wales heritage coal mining site.
 
We discussed the arrival of concord at the last meeting and Sylvie brought along a great picture of the drivers’ in 1966. We had some difficulty remembering many so we could do with some help. So, any friend, relative recognize anyone from SMBP NEWPORT terminal

Back row: Eric Roberts, Sid Street, ???, Brian Ford, ???, Les Norris, Dougie Chappell, Graham Corke,???, Trevor Griffiths, Phil Rutter, ??? Front row kneel: Reg Wall, ???, Hadyn Hamid, Reg Pipe, Tommy Moyle, ???

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.

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​South Wales Branch Meeting – Wednesday 3 October 2018 from Vic Perry
​ 
We met once again at Sketty Hall, Swansea for the fourth time this year pleased that four more members joined us, Don with his wife Ann Knight. Don was initially recruited as driver at Haydock terminal but later became a ‘trainer’, a career he perused after leaving Shell. John Evan who travelled to Swansea from Aberaeron, he was a Retail representative in South Wales. We were also very pleased to see Eira Woodward widow of Ron Woodward who was a driver out of Swansea.
 
Viv Perry asked everyone for any contributions to the 44 Club magazine especially as a feature is being considered on the Terminal network. Alan shared a photograph of Cardiff terminal fueling Concord back in the late 1970’s. He recalled that it was John Fulford, a SMBP driver who did the refuel. He had only just had his broken down vehicle replaced with the tanker in the photograph. It was from the 1930s. The terminal staff wondered who was the eldest, John or the vehicle! 

Hot News– Don and Ann Knight have invited us all to their home to see their garden. Don has created a Japanese sanctuary. We shall be making arrangements for next year. I am in discussion with SPA (Shell Pensions Association) and BPA South Wales membership to extend the invitation. Be in touch early in the New Year.
 
Have a look at the photographs taken on the day of a successful lunch by clicking here .
 
The next meeting will be at Sketty Hall on Thursday 13 December 2018 for Christmas lunch with coffee (or drinks) at 11:30am and followed by lunch at 12:30am. Invites for pre-ordering meals will be out soon.
 
Information request- I have been thinking and having a chat with a number of you on the potential of having an additional meeting in the East of our patch. I have suggested somewhere like the ‘Grove Golf Club’ as a venue Porthcawl; just off the motorway so easy access with plenty of car parking. Food is pretty good and not too expensive.
 
So far, one member has confirmed whom I sincerely thank – is anyone else interested? If the distance to Swansea is too far, I am happy to proceed and arrange for those living around Cardiff or even Newport. I would really appreciate you dropping me a line. You can contact me on the form below. Otherwise give me a call if more convenient.
 
I know there a lot of Operations, terminal administration/ drivers and mechanics, sales representatives/area managers from Domestic, Consumer and Retail including National Benzyl and even Regional Office such as Birmingham and Bristol. Some of you may have worked in Shell Mex House in Finance, I know as I was the PLR for South Wales 2006/ 2012 so I am likely to have already met you. Whether you’re the direct ex-employee or maybe a member through your partner we would love you to come along.
 
So, if distance to Swansea is the issue lets make a meeting somewhere a little closer!

Another sunny meeting on 25th July at Sketty Hall. As you can see from the photograph all were in fine form! From the left: Yvonne Davies, Clive and Flo Hillman, Graham and Sylvia Cork, Viv and Chris Perry, Rowena and David Saunders and Alan Davies. Those present enjoyed a good chat over a summer's drink in the garden followed by a light lunch. The conversation flowed especially when Alan shared some of his work experiences! 

The 44 Club South Wales Branch meet bi-monthly, this will mean that the "Drivers" group meet one month and the South Wales group meet the next month, except in the summer when drivers have a break. It is hoped that as many as possible will attend both meetings – partners also very welcome. Alan and Graham joined the ‘Drivers’ group on 25th June at Skewen Rugby Club.

The next meeting will be at Sketty Hall once again on Wednesday 3rd October at 11:30 for coffee (or drinks) and lunch at 12:30. Christmas Lunch will be on Thursday 13th December 2018. Venues for future meeting are being investigated and there was also talk of a potential bus trip - possibly to Brecon or Tenby. If there is a good response the cost could be £10 or less per person. A separate note will be circulated in due course,

Viv is going to produce a News Letter "South Wales Branch Chatterbox". Initially this will be circulated by post but will also be available online. The purpose is to encourage membership and keep everyone informed of Branch activity on a regular basis.

On a bright sunny May Day (Wednesday 23rd May) the revitalised South Wales Branch met at Sketty Hall, Swansea  to enjoy convivial chat and reminisce work times. It was great to see Yvonne and Alan Davies who travelled in from Ammonford. They are on the left followed by David and Rowena Sanders, Graham and Sylvia Cork, Flo and Clive Hillman, Chris and Viv Perry.

We would like to welcome more members in the South Wales area – including Shell and BP. We know many of our fellow BP drivers who attend the Drivers ‘get-together' bi-monthly (the last meeting was on Monday 30 April 2018, the next one is Monday 25 June at Skewen Rugby Club) do not get the 44 Club Magazine so could I ask for everyone in the South Wales area to spread the word of our next gathering.

The next reunion of the South Wales branch will be on Wednesday 25 July at Sketty Hall, Swansea. Anyone wanting information please contact Viv Perry using the contact form below.

Wednesday 21 March 2018, the vernal equinox and the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere, saw the inaugural meeting of the revitalised 44 Club South Wales Branch. Held at the Sketty Hall, Sketty, Swansea, with the sun shining , eight members enjoyed a good meal and catch up.
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