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A happy New Year to you all and I hope you and your loved ones had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year.

Mine was a little hectic having only returned from a five-week trip to South America on 23rd December!

On 20th November, I embarked on what for me was the trip of a lifetime to South America, a continent that had somehow escaped me despite my extensive travelling over the years

I started off in Peru taking in Lima, the Sacred Valley, Cusco and the amazing Machu Picchu then moved on to Chile where, after a few days in Santiago, I boarded a ship for two weeks that sailed through the Chilean Fjords going through glacier alley down to Ushuaia, known as the edge of the world.

We rounded Cape Horn before docking at the Falkland Islands, then travelled on to Uruguay before disembarking in the wonderful city of Buenos Aires. It was then off to the stunning Iguazu Falls for a few days before flying to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, going up the iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain and visiting Christ the Redeemer statue.

I just remember some of these names from my geography lessons many years ago, never thinking I would get to visit them. Anyway, enough of my adventures.

Sadly, the year didn’t end well with several of our colleagues passing away in late November and  December - Dougie Taylor, Dave McGonnigal and Trevor Davis to name but three. This week I got news that Bob Packham (Fire Department), my first boss at Newcastle, had passed away just days before his 96th birthday.

All wonderful people, known to so many of us.  Our thoughts are with their loved ones.

They say spring is round the corner, my snowdrops and daffodils bear testament to that. However, I am amazed that the daffodils are surviving this extremely cold spell of weather that we have had.

The APPA lunch season is nearly upon us with events already being planned. Glasgow is already booked for 2nd April and the preliminary notice has gone out. Please look at the regions page on the website to get up-to-date information on what is happening in your area.

Thank you to all of our wonderful regional representatives who take the time to organise these social get-togethers.

We had good attendances at the pensioner lunches last year and the feedback was extremely positive. If you know of an ex-colleague who you think may benefit from coming along then please let either your regional representative or myself know so that we can send them an invitation. Despite social media, word of mouth is still a great communication tool.

The Provincial Pension Fund increase letters went out at the end of January, so hopefully you will all have received yours by now. Please don't forget to inform Capita if you change your address or the bank account into which your pension is paid and ensure you give them plenty of notice to make these changes. In addition, make sure that you inform Tony Ryan (APPA Secretary) of any changes to address or email.

AXA continues to do well globally, this month being the 40th anniversary since the company was founded by Claude Bebear. It seems very young in comparison to the Provincial, which was founded in 1903. On that subject, Philip Hoyle has found a small supply of the centenary book published in 2003. If anyone is interested in obtaining a copy (there are only six left) then please email me.

It appears to have gone quiet on the Capita Data Breach front. Barings (the solicitors) are still pursuing a case against them with the case being listed for 18th June 2025.  Any updates we receive from Barings will be posted on the website.

The AGM is scheduled for 4th September 2025 at the Castle Green Hotel, Kendal. Anyone wishing to attend is welcome as will people who wish to join by Zoom. Further details will be published nearer the time. I can’t believe I am talking about September when we are only a matter of weeks into the New Year!

I do hope that when the warmer weather comes, we will all get the chance to enjoy the outdoors, whether it be walking, gardening, watching sports or indeed just enjoying the spring flowers. Whatever you are planning to do, take care and I hope to meet up with many of you during 2025.

Sincerely,