BNTVA Newsletter Summer 2001

British Nuclear Test Veterans Association 92

All we seek is justice

Newsletter Summer 200 1

In this issue Report on the 2001AGM

Chairman's Report

Solicitor Ian Greenhalgh

Secretary's Report

Illnesses and War pensions

Treasurer's Report

News

Children'

Medals

Absent Friends

NRPB

Research

Royal British Legion Llandudno

Newsletter Q.{on Payment)

s

Representative

This is vour Newsletter Useful telephone numbers Sheila

Gray

01642 559903

Peter Fletcher 01744 29636

Ken Roberts 01429 273392

Have you an article you would like to share with the other members?

Have you seen a report or story in the local or national press, which you would like to share?

Ian Greenhalgh 01942 820202

\ilar

Pensions Norcross 01253 858858

Disabled Benefits Unit National Help 0845 7123456

line

Is there an old friend or chum you are trying to find?

Do you have an experience with officialdom that you would like to share with others?

Do you have a question you have been trying to find the answer to concerning your service life?

MedaIs The Nuclear Test Veterans Commemorative

If the answer

is yes to any of the above, then send in your questions

Maralingq Malden and Christmas Island is

and articles for inclusion in the next NEWSLETTER.

available for details please contact

**Next newsletter will

Medal for service in Japan, Montebello,

Peter Fletcher MBE

be the Christrnas

edition copy to be in by the

5th

November 2001

Annual General Meeting 28 APRIL 2OO1 THE HORSESHOE SHOWBAR PLEASURE BEACH BLACKPOOL Officers and Executive Committee members present

MBE

Chairman Vice-Chairman

Peter Fletcher John Lowe

Secrctary Treasurer Executive Committee

Sheila Gray (Mrs) Ken Roberts

Solicitor

Derick Redfern Martin Blackburn Ian Greenhalgh We had been good media coverage and a number of MPs were again helping our cause.

A number of new veterans had joined us including men from HMS Cavalier and he welcomed them to the meeting. John introduced our new Solicitor, Ian Greenhalgh, who had agreed to represent us and, already, he had won 6 cases out of 7 at Tribunals.

The next subject mentioned was the research that had been conducted at Dundee University Medical School under the auspices of Sue Rabbitt Roff. He told the Meeting that it was continuing to provide favourable results. Not only had this played a vital role in our Tribunal victories but was responsible for pensions being awmded to the New Tnaland and Fijian veterans by their respective Governments. It had also been instrumental in persuading our Government to hold further studies through the NRPB, with whom we now have a good rapport.

Unfortunately, he reported there had been a decline in the number of Branches, this being due to a lack of suitable Branch Representatives but hoped that some members would volunteer for this duty.

He also commented upon the fact that had been much malicious talk of misuse of research firnds. He reminded the meeting that the allegation had been investigated by the Police Fraud Squad, who had found 'no wrong doing'. He went on to say that Mr McGinley knew of this, prior to last year's AGM, but chose to keep that information in his pocket!

The Meeting commenced at 13.30 hours with an attendance of approx. 300, comprising of Members, Associate Members and Guests.

1.

Act ofHomase Peter Fletcher conducted the

Act of Homage, the Last Post and

Reveille.

2.

Welcome Sheila Gray welcomed everyone to the Meeting and thaaked the

Blackpool Council and Blackpool Tourist Boar{ for once again giving us the facilities, free of charge, to enable our AGMs to be [ekl. She also told the Meeting thaithis was the 146 AGM we had he14 consecutively, at the Pleasure Beach and that Peter Fletcher had arranged them all. She asked for thanks to be given to Peter for his dedication and reliability in never letting us down.

Apologies for Absence were relayed and also Messages of Support from absent Members, all of whom were too ill to attend. Sheila reported the sad death of Dr Oscar Rosen, Director of the US Veterans, and also the deaths of a number of our veterans in the last year, sadly too many to name.

3.

Chairman's Report.

Peter greeted the members and apologised for 'being out of puff and told the Meeting that he had asked the Vice-Chairmaq John Lowe, to speak on his behalf.

John introduced himself and explained that Peter had not enjoyed the best ofhealth over the past year but it had not stopped him carrying out his duties. He then reported on the Association's activities for the past year. These had been hampered firstly by the refusal of Messrs McGinley and Kittsen to hand over equipment and records belonging to the Association which led to our having to take legal action to

recover them. Secondly, by a few people (including D Fidderman, A Ross and K McGinley) who persisted in distributing a quantity of mischievous, vitriolic, malicious and often libellous letters to all and sundry. He went on to say that, later in the Meeting, there were proposals to change part of the Constitution and that many members had put forward their suggestions. These had been taken on board and, where practical, were to be put to the Meeting.

John went on to say that although the presentExec Committee had been formedunder bonded well.

dilficult circumstances, the members had

Three Commiftee meetings had been held, which had not happened for a number ofyears, and he was pleased to report that the Association was back on ar even keel and flourishing.

Minutes of theAGM2000Stan Jacobs, seconded by Mr Heyrurood, proposed that the minutes be accepted as a true record of the 2000 AGM. This proposal was accepted by the meeting.

5.

Treasurer's Report.

Ken Roberts publicly thanked his wife for all her support since he took office. He had great diffrculty at first because the old Executive Committee had not handed any'thing over and he was forced to use his own money to keep the Association afloat, to the hrne of over one thousand pounds. He also thanked an Associate Member from Cornwall for donating [1000 to the Association. Ken said that when the accounts were evenhrally handed back, he was advised to examine them thoroughly. The authorised Accountant had suspicions about some ofthe expense claims. It was discovered that the accounts had been consistently misused. For this reason the Courts became involved. He told the Meeting that it had been their money that had been misusedl He then explained the accounts in detail.

a grand total off,167.35. One year later, he was pleased to say that the balance at 3l December 2000 stood at f3,851 and even better, right up to tlte present day , 28 April 200 I , it is now yl ,218.251 The Meeting was informed that copies of the previous accounts were available if anyone wished to see them.

microphone and announced to the meeting, that she hoped Sheila would state thatthe sum raised by the raffle WAS going to Association funds and NOT to research. There was a howl of disgust from the members present.

At the time of the AGM 2000 the current account had

ll.

Election of New Executive Committee. officers and committee members were standing for reelection The members were informed that nominations (other than the ones for the present Exec Cmte) had been sent, in a block, to the Secretary and the Association Solicitor, by Archie Ross' Solicitor. The person nominated by the same group for Secretary was not a member and therefore could not stand.

A11

The motion to accept the accolmts was proposed by Les Gosling, seconded by Mr Pritchard. The Meeting carried the motion.

6.

Solicitor's Renort.

Ian intoduced himself and said he was very pleased to be at the AGM and was honouredto accept the position of Association

Chairman

Solicitor.

It had certainly not been an easy twelve months for him because he had to help untangle a lot of the legal mess, which unfortunately had been presented as a result ofthe previous goings on at the last AGM. This also included a Court case in connection with one of the former Officers. At the same time, and entirely independent ofthe Association, he had acted for a

Peter Fletcher MBE

An Interval was then taken, during which,

a

raffle was held on behalf

of Association fund.

8.

Archie Ross The ex-Representative of the disbanded WestMidlands Branch had asked ifhe could speak because he wished to apologise for his abrasive letters and attitude towards the Exec Cmte - the Cmte gave him permission to speak to the meeting. He explained that there had been a meeting that morning to discuss his expulsion from the Association bu! a{ter he had apologised to the Exec Cmte for his abrasive letters and attitude, his expulsion had been withdrawn. He now apologised to the Association for his past behaviour.

9

Amendments to the Constitution. were accepted (except for the amendment to 10c, which failed to obtain the required two-thirds majority) with minor adjustments to some of the wording.

A11 amendments

10. Raffle.

The raffle was drawn and raised €200.

At this point, Shirley Denson stood up and took charge of the

votes Ken McGinley - 28 votes

Ken Roberts - Patrick Bosson the votes for Ken Roberts, were so overwhelming, a count was not necessary.

Ken elected

Members to the Committee Only three were needed. There were five candidates standing, the three with the highest number of votes were elected Derick Redfern - 111 votes, Mike Doyle - 107 votes, Derek

Motion.

Proposed by Derek Heaps and Seconded by Tom Birch. This was a resolution that Sheila Gray delivers a written report setting out full, implicit details of the research account. During the debate, the Solicitor pointed out that preparation of such a report would prove costly to the Association and could only undertaken with the full agreement and co-operation of the University.

An investigation by the Police Fraud Squad had already proved there was no wrongdoing. He then read out a letter, dated l2* March 1997 '*trich Mr McGinley had sent to the Bank stating that Sheila and Sue Roffwere authorised to open a separate bank account for the research fund and that they were to be the cosignees. A vote was taken and the motion was defeated. Tom Kitching, Branch Rep for Humberside, stood up and said that everyone should remember that if Sheila Gray had not been successful in obtaining the research money, there would not have been any research to argue about!

ll2

John Lowe - 114 votes Mike Reid - 28 votes John elected Secretarv Sheila Gray Sheila returned unopposed Treasurer

number of members in relation to pansions. He was currently dealing with a firther 24 cases. However, this work has to be undertaken in Ian's own time. He trusts members will understand if they have to wait a little longer for a reply than he would want. He stressed that he acted for every member as a group, not just for the Exec Committee and his loyalty was to them all, in the same way that each member is loyal to each other. He thanked everyone and looked forward to helping the Association during the coming year.

7.

-

Peter elected Vice-Chairman

Heaps - 84 votes,

-

Derick, Mike & Derek elected.

Marilyn Hall 11.

-

28 votes, Shirley Denson

-

21 votes.

Anv Other Business.

Because the previous business had taken up so much time there were only a few minutes left before the Meeting had to close and members leave the room. Sheila informed the Meetiag that she had written to the Prime Minister, objecting to the nrmours in the newspapers that Dr Lewis Moonie of the MOD was going to be appointed to be Minister for Veterans. She said she had received a reply stating the letter had been passed to the Cabinet Oflice so they would know of our objections. In her letter to the PM, she had stated that we could have no trust in a Minister who, for a number of years, had openly been antagonistic to the veterans. Also, that a Minister or even an MP could not have an unbiased view, they would be torn between the veteran and their particular Party. She had also said that a 'Mnister for Veteraru' should be outside politics and so have 'no axe to grind'.

Sheila also reported that the New Zealand Govemment was now setting up a programme to help their veterans' families who had a child suffering from spina bihda. Again this result has come about from the Research Programme, held on our behalf, at Dundee University. We are still hoping that our Governrnent will examine our children.

Regarding the motion that had been placed by the Humberside Branch and printed in our last Newsletter - "The National Executive should look into the possibility of establishing formal links with the British Gulf War Veterans Association for the mutual beneht of both organisations which have much in common" Sheila informed the meeting that several attempts had been made to form a rapport with the GWV, but each attempt had been rebuffed. We were informed by the GWV that they wished to remain unattached.

13. Chairman's round up.

Peter thanked everyone for attending and hoped they had found the meeting constructive. He said that this Committee would continue to work hard on our behalf for pensions and recognition. He gave a special thanks to everyone who had assisted in the rurning of the Meeting and to Ian for all that he has done for us since joining up with us last year.

He reminded everyone of the evening Social and the Church Parade the following morning.

rhe

Meeting'"'

l_1'J;]l_1".:;.. -..

The Social took place in the Horseshoe Showbar starting at 8pm and was a great success and was attended by approx. 200 people.

A Raffle was held which raised a furthq f302.40 for Association

firnds'

**!r:{.*{.,rr**+***,r'****:r.{.*

Church Parade - Sundav 29 April.

Once again there was a good tum out and we were made most welcome at the Salvation Army Citadel. After the Service the dry weather enabled us to march into the town accompanied by the Salvation Army Band - as soon as the ]v{arch was over, the rain came powing down so we counted ourselves lucky.

We dispersed at 12.30 to make our way home.

The above Minutes are an abridged version and a firll copy can be obtained from Sheila Gray by sending her a stamped addressed

envelope

.**********************

Chairman's reDort Our AGM, in April of this year, went very well indeed, so unlike the fiasco of last year's AGM! A new Executive Committee was democratically elected and is working well together.

Things are continuing to be set right which is putting us back on a true course forjustice and recognition. This is thanks to the hard work of our Secretary, Sheila Gray and our Treasurer, Ken Roberts, both ofthem are working seven days (yes seven days) a week!

They, with the support and backing of the rest of the Committee and our members, have seenBNTVA retrieve its good name and will also ensure we achieve our aims. Your main news is covered within these few pages so I will just mention some future dates for your diaries Wednesday 3m October 2001 Nuclear Veterans Day Service in St John's Gardens

Liverpool Sunday 7tr october 2fi)1 A Parade and Service Risca South Wales

Sunday l1fr November 2001 Armistice Day Remembrance Day Paradg The Cenotaph Whitehall tickets are on order and those wishing to attend London - either Ken Taylor or myself. Please enclose a can contact stamped addressed envelope for ticket return, this would be much appreciated.

The coming year,2002, will mark the 50m Anniversary of the Thursday 3'd October 2002. This was frst UK Bomb Test Operation Hurricane and reputed to be the dirtiest Test of all our 2l tests. Together with our Chaplain, Canon Nicholas Frayling, we plan aNational Service of Remembrance in Liverpool Parish Church on Thursday 3'd October 2002. However, prior to that date, we plan to hold a similar service in Portsmouth Cathedral, which will take place on Tuesday lgth February 2002. It was on

-

,rt,l

*ov

v\

this date, in I 952, that the advance party of "Operation Hurricane" sailed out of Portsmouth, aboard the tank landing ships, HMS Narvik and HMS Zeebrugge bound for the Montebello Islands near Australia. I urge all Army, Navy, and RoyalMarine persormel who sailed on that day, or their widows and families, to attend this Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving. Just think-hfty years on-what a reunion it will bel I hope to give you hnal details of the proposed Service in our Christmas Newsletter.

Finally, I hope to arrange our next AGM on Saturday Z16 lpl1t 2002 inBlackpool.

Best wishes to you all.

Peter Fletcher MBE * {t'f * :lt**,}**,l.,id.f

** **

Solicitor

ffiffif

you will be aware, our solicitor, Ian Greenhaigh, has been working 'flat out' on our behalfand our many thanks go to him for his andeavours, his r.rnderstanding and his patience.

Unfortunately, so many members have taken their tribunal worries to him that he has become saturated by them and has had to call a halt to taking on any new cases for the time being.

He will fulhl his promises to those he has already taken on board but asks these veterans to be patient with him. He is dealing with yorn case but perhaps not at the pace you, or even he, hadhoped. Ian is a sole practitioner and'works' for us in his own time and any little time he can spare from his own worlg at a very modest cost I might add and, as he has said, there are only so many hours in each day! Ifany ofyou have spoken to Ian about your affairs but not got around to actually insfucting him to act for you, then, unfortunately he cannot accept your case.

We hope you will urderstand the quandary he is in, he would dearly like to represent you all but time does not allow for this to be feasible.

***********r.*:t*** of Hermite Island Dies' Absent Friends -'KingPeter to re-enter the Montebello Islands, The frst British officer within hours of the detonation, to collect samples, passed away recently following a long and painful illness, which was bome bravely. Major Peter Sherburn RE Retired; was known to us as 'King Peter'. Hermite Island on the Montebellos, was his his island and we sappers were his subjects! domain - it was Within hours of detonation he and his party of sappers were landed to collect samples ofrocket heads etc .for scientists to analyse. We lost contact with each other in 1956 but met up again in 1989. Jokingly he told me if I managed to retum to the islands and lan4 he would make me 'Prince of Hermite' and make me heir to his crown! I did refirrn and I did land and so became 'Prince of Hermite'! Peter Sherburn's illness was, I understand, "radiation linked!" He lost his hght last month and I was invited to attend his funeral and say a few words. Sadly,

not a month goes by without Sheila or myself being informed of a comrade passing on. Otr hemtfelt sympathy goes out to a1l of you who have lost a loved one. "We will remember them".

Peter Fletcher MBE

************ Secretary's report The months of May and June have been very busy, not only dealing with the many letters and queries from the members who, we are pleased to say, were very happy with the outcome of the AGM but also dealing with the Press.

Documents that have been released in Austalia have brought some horrendous revelations to light about what the UK Government engineered, and in one case planned to engineer,

,r\i $€L€ job.

4.

Because he is a child of a veteran, we were rmder the impression that he could not be 'voted onto thepommittee' but had to be 'seconded'. We afterwards found r1gfu wrong and we have givea him our deepest apology. His naffcould have been put forwardrGs he had the necessary sponsorship and was seconded, 6r re-election. Sadly this mistake cannot be put right until the next election. We have given him the position of 'NonExecutive Children's Representative'. This way he can continue to be the voice of our children. If any of our 'children' would like to contact hinL his address and telephone number is

5.

1!f.29

during the Atomic Weapons Test Programme in the 1950s.

Some we had heard about, but did not have proof, and others were 'mind boggling'!

Men were forced to roll around in the contaminated dustto see the effect on the UNIFORMS! Men were denied blood tests prior to attending a test in case it would give them cause for redress afterwards!

The UK Govemment'mislead'the Austalian Royal Commission The UK Government'mislead' the European Courts of Human Right Physically and mentally disabled people were flown to Australia to be used in the testing of radiation - we have discovered the pilot who took them out but there is no record (as yet) ofthem being brought home! The world has railed about the Holocaust and the treatment meted out to the Japanese POWs, but those dastardly deeds were done to the supposed enemy - whereas our Government conducted even greater atrocities to its own people!

Babies, both stillborn and those that died at an early age, were used in the Atomic Test Trials. There is a terrifying possibility that some of our babies could have been included. So many of us who lost babies in the late '50s and early '60s , because of the of their father's involvement il the Tests. Our babies were not only denied life but were they also experimented upon alterwards?

All of the above has been brought to the attention of the Prime Minister in our letter to him. A copy of that a letter has also gone out to the Heads of the other Political Parties and the hess let M'Blair ignore these proven accusations if he dare!

Operation Lighthouse! I doubt if any of you will have heard of it because it was a 'well hidden' secret - until now! This operation was planned to take place in the late 1950s and involved digging trenches about 300 yards from a land zero, then filling them with koops to see ttte effect of the radiation on TRENCIIES! It was not morals that stopped this taking place but a hasty, but temporary moratorium between the US, Russia and the UK to cease testing.

There is also evidence coming to light that depleted uranium was used during the Tests - this is being investigated.

1.

2.

3.

6.

-

sheila GRAY -

*'::-:.-.*******

Research oroqramme Although we are still gathering evidence we have had a stumbling block laid in our way - €300,000! This is the amount required to begin the Blood and Saliva Tests, to be held at Dundee and StAndrew's Universities. The team of specialists is ready - the facilities are all in place but without flrnds we cannot move forward, as yet. We me keeping up the pressure on the Government for this money. Even pointing out that they spend more than that amount upon refurbishing one of their olfices! If anyone knows a millionaire who will part with some of his millions we'd like to know about him!

As for the firther study being conducted by the NRPB, that is almost at an end. It would be over if Sue Roffand myself did not keep arguing, (in a friendly manner of course) various points that we are not happy with. Sue is away from home until the end of July and I am away from 18 July rurtil 4 August. Upon our return we hope to finalise matters.

Sheila GRAY - Secretary

ASTLEY STREET, TYLDESLEY, MANCIIESTER 7 AX - TI,L:, 01942 887566. It is hoped that he will put his name forward for election at the AGM 2002.

154

Treasurer's Report I am pleased to report that our accounts are in better

shape than they have been for many a year and this could not have come about without the support of you, our members. However, I had noticed that it was only a quarter of the membership who were the regulm payers and we decided it was not right that 'the few' should be subsidising 'the rest'. It was time to.takg some action.

Therefore, since I took up office in April 200fi $fu out a letter/ to all non-paying members, reminding them oftheir lack of financial support. They were informed thal without the express permission of the Exec Cmte, should they not pay their fees theil name would be removed from our mailing list. They would still be members, but non-payrnent of fees would take away their right to mail, dnd their right to vote. I have to say the response is very encouraging. Meinbers understood and have responded well. You will have read in the Minutes of the AGM that we now have a healthy bank balance, and since my letter to the 'non-payers' it has improved even firrther. Let us hope it stays that way. We must have firnds if we want to press our case forward.

Ken ROBERTS

We are pleased to say that the previous Executive Committee was voted back in at the AGM. However we have to admit to a mistake that was made. Martin Blackburn, had served on the Committee for the year 2000D001and had done a worthwhile

Treasurer

Newsletter Further to the Treasure's Report - this will be the last Newsletter that 4g4aggq of their annual subscripdon will be receiving.

The members that pay regularly justifiably feel that it is unjust that they should 'carry' the non-payers. However, this does NOT apply to those members who have been given free membership over the last two years. They will be sent their copy as normal. If you were allowed free membership prior to this present Executive Committee being in Oflice, unfortmately, we do not have those records - they are still in the hands of the Ex-Chairman and Ex-Treasurer - therefore, please apply again either to the Treasurer or the Secretary.

*{.****{'{.* Roval British Lesion

-

Llandudno

There is to be a Church Service and Parade on 1 9 August 200 I , in conjunction with both the North Wales District, and the County Field Oflice, to celebrate the 80ft Anniversary of the RBL. The Church Service will begin at l.00pm at the Holy Trinity Church, Trinity Square; Llandudno followed by a Parade to the Llandudno Cenotaph where, after some prayers, exServicemen and women will lay wreaths. Our Branch Rep in South Wales, PETER WILLIAMS, with the help and zupport

BIILLEN - ex-Branch Rep for N Wales - are organising our participation in the event. It would be good to see some of our members taking part and fi.rther details can be obtained from both Peter Williams Tel: 01558 822141and Peter Bullen Tel: of PETER

Executive Committee

*

01248352708

firi

NRPB

V-,,

As you are all aware, the NRPB have been conducting firther studies on us. The hope that Sue Roff and I held at the outset of the new study was that it would be a radiobiological study and not a contimration of previous two studies. However, our previous represantative had agreed with NRPB that a blind study would be enough. The blind study consisted of the NRPB continuing to deal with their figures and{Sue to deal with hers, but with neither parties comparing notes until an agreed date.

Therefore we have had to make the best of things and Sue and I have worked closely with the NRPB to see that the best results, from what we feel is a disappointing study, are achieved.

The present study was intended to look at all deaths but vdth an emphasis on multiple myeloma. As I have already stated, this should have been completed some weeks ago but Sue and myself are still not happy with what is proposed for the final rezult. We have been asked to check the findings (which we have promised to keep confidential until they are published) of the NRPB attd we me satisfied, then give our permission to have our ruImes added as 'co-authors'. We are still not satisfied and are continuing to ask questions which is delaying matters, but we feel that it is our duty to see tlrat a more accurate result is obtained before we sign anytring. So please bear with us for the time

if

,1" --Bene.

'

Sheila

bg;e

Gray

Illnesses A number of members are asking the same question-what illness will gain them a pension? The answer is, other than certain types of Leukaemia there is no sure way of knowing.

Just because a veteran has been awarded a porsion for a certain iltness is no guarantee that another suffering from the same

two - a / * \Ul u

illness, will automatically be given one too! In fact, even veterans, serving side by side at the sandtest and suffering ttre same illness, does not count in the eyes of War Pensions. Each case is looked at individually and tried on its own merits.

What you must do, no matter what your iltness, is put in a claim!

If you don't hear back from the WPA within a decent interval you badger them until you do get a reply! Ifwhen you are told you do not qualifr then put in an appeal and you do it straight away!

New widows must immediately apply for a War Widows Pension, as there is a time limit set for placing a claim. A11 that is required is for you to write to War Pensions Agency, Norcross Blackpool, stating that your husband has died and give his service (RAf'A{avylArmy) and his service number. That is all that is required to begin with because you will be sent forms to complete. When these arrive, should you need help, ask and we will do what we can to give it to you.

\

SOLYMAR - HOLI DAY FIATLETS 'i'

Syd

Clean rnorlern l1ats. tirlly equipped fbr 2 - 6 persons. t>edding provided & colour ll.V. '3 5O ycls. t'totn promenade :.ttrd Sandcastle 'r' Ovvrr keys - largc prit'ate cnr park

flarris ( Ex - Christrnas Island

)

68 Stari<;rr Road, Blackpt>ol SS Proprietress: Mrs I Hztrris Tet: O1253 - 3476"0

My name is JeffLiddiatt (Maralinga 1959-60) RAF MT Section.

I have just put together my first BNVTA Newsletter. I volunteered to help with any little thing I could do from home. Hence the newsletter.

I

am looking forward to continuing to put together the newsletter for you all.

x*Don't forget copy for next newsletter by the 5ft November 2001. Please send all copy to Sheila Gray or Peter Fletcher as usual.

Special Discount of lD%c OffFuneral [)irutors Fees for Memberrs of the Brldch Nucle,ar Tests \''eterans Assoc iation.

PRE. PAYMENT SCHEME ALSO

AVAILAI]LE

Iior Furthcr lntorrnrtion Pk:r.se Telephoncr

0161-881 2212 \\'/ar

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BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS VETERANS ASSOCIATION

1992

EXECUTTVE COMMITTEE

CHAIRMAN

VICE CHAIRMAN

SECRETARY

Peter Fletcher MBE

John Lowe

Sheila Gray (Mrs)

'MonteBello'

45 Sheldrake Road

11 Grosmont

134 Clipsley Lane

Broadheath

Billingham

Ilaydock

Altrincham

St Helens,

Cheshire WA14 5IJ

Cleveland TS23 2EP

Lancs

Drive

wA11oUB TellFax

TeUFax

TellEax

01744 29636

4rc19412L64

01642 ss9903

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

TREASURER

MikeDoyle

1 Regal Close

DerickRedfem 32 StAubynCrescent

Seaton Care

Newquay

Stamford

Hartlepool

Cornwall

Lincs

Cleveland

TR72RQ

PE9 lBJ

TeVFax 0t637 879048

Tel 01780765622

KenRoberts

ll

WaverleyPlace

Derek Heaps 4 Bakewell Drive Castle Donnington

Derby DE7 2NF

TS25IDG TeVlFax 01429 273392

CHAPLAIN

SOLICITOR

Canon Nicholas Frayling

Ian GreenhalghLLB

Rector ofliverpool Liverpool Parish Church Old Churchyard

UnitB

Liverpool

Wigan

Tel 01332 811429

Worthington Way Marus Bridge

wN3 6)(E TE,L:01942820202

NON.EXEC CHILDREN'

S MartinBlackbum 154

REPRESENTATTVE

Asfley Street,

Tyldesley, Manchester

lvI297AX TE,L:01942 887566

BRANCH REPRESENTATTVES Noel Hendy (Conrwall)

2BowdensRow WestEnd Redruth

Cornwall

Tom Kitching (Humberside) Ken Taylor (London) 7 TurleyClose 5 Ellerby Grove Shatford Preston Road London Hull E15 3JD HU9 3PR

R15 2TS

Peter & Gron Will-iams (S Wales) 27 Heol Myryddin

Ffairfach Llandeib S Wales SA19 6PD Tel 01558 822141

process ofbeing

Wally Holdsworth (W Yorks) l1 Foundry Walk

TEL/TAX: 01209214814

TEL 07482793082

TEL:

JohnLowe

PatHurley

JimMcGowan

(Iv{anchester) 45 Sheldrake Road

(MltonKeynes) 24 CaxtonRoad

Broadheath

Old Wolverton

Albincham

MiltonKeynes

G32 6RP Tel 0t4t 778 6954

020 855 52644

Cheshire

Bucks

Les Gosling (Portsmouth 49 Lincoln Road Fratton Portsmouth Hants

WAI4 5LJ

MK12 5OPG

POI5BG

TEL:

Tel: 01908 313024

Tel: 02392 614673

0t6t 9412164

West Sussex Branch is in the

(Scotland) 125 Whitbum Street

Carntyne Glasgow

reformed

Leeds

W Yorks LS8 3PZ Tel:

ott3 2946t49

BRITISH NUCLEAR TESTS YETERANS ASSOCIATION

AGM

- 28

APRIL

- 1992

2OO1

TTIE HORSESHOE SHOWBAR _ PLEASURE BEACH - BLACKPOOL PRESENT: Chairman

Peter Fletcher MBE

Vice-Chairman Secretary Treasurer Exec Cmte

John Lowe Sheila Gray

Ken Roberts Derick Redfern

Martin Blackburn Ian Greenhalgh

Solicitor

The Meeting commenced at 13.30 hours with an attendance of approx 300, comprising of Members' Associate Members and Guests.

1.

2.

Peter Fletcher conducted the Act of Homage, the Last Post and Reveille.

Sheila Gray welcomed everyone to the Meeting and thanked the Blaekpool Council and Blackpool

Tourist Board, for once again giving us the facilities, free of charge, to enable our AGMs to be held. She also told the Meeting that this was the l4th AGM we had held, consecutively, atthe Pleasure Beach and that, they had all been arranged, by Peter Fletcher. She asked for thanks to be given to Peter for his dedication and reliability of never letting us down.

Apologies for Absenee were relayed and also Messages of Support from absent Members, all of whom were too ill to attend. Sheila reported the sad death of Dr Oscar Rosen, Director of the US Veterans and also the deaths of a number of our veterans in the last year, sadly too many to name.

Chairman's Report. Peter greeted the members and apologised for 'being out of puff and told the Meeting that he had asked the Vice-Chairman, John Lowe, to speak on his behalf.

John introduced himself and explained that Peter had not enjoyed the best of health over the past year but it had not stopped him carrying out his duties. He then reported the Association's activities for the past year. These had been hampered firstly by the refusal of Messrs McGinley and Kittsen to hand over equipment and records belonging to the Association and which led to our having to take legal action to recover them. Secondly, by a few people (including D Fidderman, A Ross and K McGinley) who persisted in distributing a quantity of mischievous, vitriolic, malicious and often libellous letters to all and sundry.

He went on to say that, later in the Meeting, there were proposals to change part of the Constitution and that many members had put forward their suggestions. These had been taken on board and where practical, were to be put to the Meeting.

John went on to say that although the present Exec Cmte had been formed under difficult eircumstances, the members had bonded well. Three Exec Cmte Meetings had been held, which had not happened for a number ofyears and he was pleased to report that the Association was back on an even keel and

3.

flourishing.

We had been good media coverage and a number of MPs were again helping our cause.

A number of new veterans had joined us including men from HMS Cavalier and he welcomed them to the Meeting.

John introduced our new Solicitor, Ian Greenhalgh, who had agreed to represent us and, already' he had won 6 cases out of 7 at Tribunals.

The next subject mentioned was the research that had been conducted at Dundee University Medical School under the auspices of Sue Rabbitt Roff. He told the Meeting that it was continuing fo provide favourabte results. Not only had this played a vital role in our Tribunal victories but was responsible for pensions being awarded to the New Zealand and Fijian veterans by their respective Governments. It had also been instrumental in persuading our Government to hold further studies through the NRPB with whom we now have a good rapport.

Unfortunately, he reported, there had been a decline in the numtrer of Branches, this being due to a lack of suitable Branch Representatives but hoped that some members would volunteer for this duty.

He also commented upon the fact that much malicious talk of misuse of research funds. He reminded the Meeting that, that allegation, had been investigated by the Police Fraud Squad, who had found 'no wrong doing'. He went on to say that Mr McGinley knew of this, prior to last year's AGM but chose to keep that

information in his pocket!

4. Minutes of the

AGM 2000

- They

were accepted by Stan Jacobs and seconded by Mr Heywood.

S.Treasurer's Report. Ken Roberts publicly thanked his wife for all her support since he took office. He had great difficulty at first because the old Exec Cmte had not handed anything over and he was forced to use his own money to keep the Association afloat, to the tune of over one thousand pounds. He also thanked an Associate Member from Cornwall for donating f1000 to the Association.