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newsletter
The magazine for people with a BP pension
Winter 2014 newsletter
A golden era
BP celebrates 50 years
in the North Sea
tomorrowtoday
your BP pension
welcome
Welcome to our Winter 2014 Newsletter magazine.
Within our usual mix of ‘Company news’, you will find details of several significant BP anniversaries
in 2014, including 50 years of BP in the North Sea and in Singapore. Also, as many of you may have
worked with Iain Conn, Chief Executive – Downstream, during your careers, you will be interested to
read that he is stepping down after 29 years with BP (see page 8 for details).
In the last edition, we included the annual State benefits and tax bulletin, which contained brief
details about bereavement benefits. We received several requests for more detail on this, which
we’re pleased to highlight in a special feature in ‘Useful information’ on page 10.
In this section, you’ll also find a reminder about the ongoing issue of online and phone scams, and
what to look out for. Remember, BP Pensions & Benefits will never share your details with third
parties and will always write to you with any updates about your BP pension, so treat any unsolicited
calls with caution.
Finally, thank you for continuing to send in your contributions to our ‘Life begins at 55’ feature (page
13). It’s always interesting to hear about your new ventures in ‘retirement’, so keep them coming in.
We hope you enjoy the mix of Company updates, information and features. If you have any
comments or contributions for a future edition, please send them to the Editor, Peter Lay, whose
details are opposite.
Ronnie Murray
Director, UK Pensions & Benefits
contents
08
05
10
cover story
BP is celebrating 50 years of operations in the
North Sea. Since first discovering natural gas in
1965, BP has continued to invest in and underline
its leading position in the area.
Read more on page 7.
14
2
3viewpoint
4 news round-up
10useful information
13lifestyle
16 keeping in touch
18directory
20 competition
Winter 2014 newsletter
viewpoint
Your letters and emails to the Editor
The Editor, Peter Lay, is pleased to receive letters or emails, articles and photos for possible publication in future
editions. We reserve the right to edit contributions for space.
You can write to: Peter Lay, BP UK Pensions & Benefits, New Square, Bedfont Lakes, Feltham, Middlesex,
TW14 8HA, United Kingdom. Alternatively, you can email: peter.lay@uk.bp.com.
Bereavement benefits
All tied up
In the ‘Annual State benefits and tax supplement’ included in our
Spring 2014 edition, we provided a summary of the bereavement
benefits available from the State. Lauchlan Hill from Lanarkshire
and Peter Lacy from North Somerset contacted us requesting
more information about the Bereavement Payment and the
Bereavement Allowance. We thought this may be useful for other
readers, so we are pleased to include a separate, in-depth article
on page 10.
Following our search for a Das Island tie, our thanks go to Alan
Bourne, Ian Morrison, Ken MacKenzie and Sammy Worthington
who kindly offered replacements. We discovered that there were a
number of different designs representing a variety of activities on
Das, but eventually the missing tie was identified and delivered to a
grateful Markham Jones.
Insurance services
We have received a number of enquiries about the services
provided by our preferred insurance provider, Sutton Winson.
BP Shipping will celebrate its centenary in April 2015. To mark the
occasion, the BP Shipping Communications team is planning a
number of activities and is keen to hear from pensioners who used
to work for the company.
Their Development Manager, Adam Saunders, kindly provided the
following details: “We offer a host of insurance policies through the
BP Scheme that include: home, car, travel, landlords, holiday home,
small craft and yacht, motorbike, car breakdown and rescue, and
classic car.
To register as a former employee and to receive more information
about the celebrations, visit www.bp.com/shipping and follow
the BP Shipping Centenary link. You will see a ‘BP Shipping 100’
area – simply click on the ‘Register your interest here’ link and
complete the online registration form.
“Please look at our website www.suttonwinson.com/bp
(password: bpgreen) to see our policies, read topical and helpful
articles or call our freephone number 0800 116 4322 for advice
without obligation.”
The BP Shipping Communications team would prefer former
employees to register online where possible. However, if you don’t
have internet access, you can register by writing to: Mr A Edwards,
BP Shipping Centenary Registration, Capita Travel & Events,
Lotmead Business Village, Wanborough, Swindon, SN4 0UY.
Susan Hillyard – a former PLO remembers
In our Spring 2014 Newsletter, we reported the death of Susan
Hillyard, known as the ‘First Lady’ of Abu Dhabi’s foreign
community. Shortly after, we received an email from Susan’s
former Pensioner Liaison Officer (PLO), Trevor Cooper, about
his experiences with Mrs Hillyard. We are pleased to include an
abridged version here.
“After three years as a Midlands PLO, I assumed responsibility for
the Derby postcode area. Typically of a PLO with a new patch to
cover, I made contact with pensioners fairly early on to ‘put faces
to names’. I was not at all prepared for my first encounter
with Susan.
“Late one morning I knocked on the Hillyard front door. The door
promptly swung open and there was Susan, who greeted me with
a smile warm enough to have you realise she meant it and the
words: ‘You must be Trevor, come in, I’m busy just at this moment
– you can probably give me a hand to finish off and then we can
have a chat.’ With that, the whirlwind retreated indoors drawing me
along in her slipstream.
“Susan chatted while packing up the remaining stock of her book,
Before the Oil, her memoir of early days in Abu Dhabi, for sending
around the world. Afterwards the tea came and the chat continued
until, ‘Good Lord is it that time already? You must be wanting to
be off. Have I kept you?’ Not at all, I repeatedly assured her. I
spent the remainder of the day with other pensioners in my area
apologising for my late arrival and short stay.
“The pattern of the next few years was set – a friendship and much
wide-ranging chat established with a very dear lady who, on her
own admission, grew up in a man’s world. God bless you, Susan.”
Winter 2014 newsletter
BP Shipping 100: register your interest
If registering by post, you must include: your name, address and
phone number; how many years you worked with BP Shipping; and
the details of any vessels you sailed on.
Platinum anniversary
One of our PLOs, Jeanna Aaron,
emailed to tell us about a couple
in her region who have reached
the rare achievement of a 70th
wedding anniversary.
Derek and Sheila Hart, who
now live in St Annes on Sea,
Lancashire, celebrated 70 years
Derek and Sheila Hart
of marriage on 25 October. Derek
used to work as a control chemist
for British Resin Products, initially at Radcliffe near Manchester. The
post moved to a new plant in Barry, South Wales in August 1949.
Derek is the surviving member of the four-man team – with Alfred
Withington, Technical Manager, and two foremen, Bob Mather
and George McFarlan – who chose to “emigrate” to the new plant
and was involved in the commissioning of R20 and R21 units.
Derek and Sheila lived in Barry for over 56 years, until moving
in 2006 to St Annes to be near family. Sadly, Sheila suffered a
massive stroke four years ago and Derek is now her full-time carer.
However, Jeanna reports that they are an inspiration and
always happy.
Editor says: We are unable to feature every anniversary request
that we receive, but we are happy to make an exception for this
remarkable couple. Congratulations to them both.
3
news round-up
Company news
BP Second Quarter Results 2014
BP announced its results for the second quarter of 2014
on 29 July.
Underlying replacement cost profit for the quarter of 2014 was
$3.6 billion. It was 34% higher than the $2.7 billion reported for the
same period in 2013 and 13% higher than achieved in Q1 2014.
Operating cash flow was $7.9 billion, mainly as a result of rising oil
and gas production from new and recently-started higher-margin
Upstream projects and the upgraded Whiting refinery processing
more heavy crude oil.
BP’s Upstream segment reported $4.7 billion underlying pre-tax
replacement cost profit, up $0.4 billion on Q2 2013. However, the
Downstream reported $0.7 billion underlying pre-tax replacement
cost profit, reflecting a significantly weaker refining environment, a
reduced contribution from supply and negative trading.
Shareholders received good news, as the company also
announced a quarterly dividend of 9.75 cents per ordinary share,
8.3% higher than a year earlier. As previously reported, the BP
board will review the level of the dividend with the first and third
quarter results each year.
Delivering the results, Group
Chief Executive Bob Dudley
said: “This was another
successful quarter, delivering
both operational progress
and robust cash flow. We are
continuing to ramp up the
major new projects that drive
delivery of cash flow and are
also now seeing benefits from
our focus on operating with
greater reliability and efficiency.
Group Chief Executive
Bob Dudley
“This operational momentum
keeps us well on track to meet
our 2014 targets and underpins
our longer-term commitment
to grow distributions to our
shareholders.”
Performance highlights
• Group underlying replacement cost profit - $3.6 billion.
• Group operating cash flow - $7.9 billion.
• Upstream pre-tax replacement cost profit - $4.7 billion.
• Shareholders to receive a quarterly dividend of 9.75 cents
per ordinary share.
• Divestments agreed totalling $3.4 billion.
Annual report of world energy shows demand
for fuels still growing
BP launched its 63rd annual Statistical Review of World
Energy in June, which features valuable insights for the
fuels industry and governments about the demand for
fuels across the globe.
The Statistical Review 2014 provides country-by-country and
fuel-by-fuel statistics on demand, supply, reserves and trade in
energy over the previous year. The Review also illustrates how
geopolitical events in several countries continued to affect oil
production in 2013, with Libya suffering the largest single decline
due to renewed civil unrest. Those disruptions were offset by a
large increase in oil production in the US. This resulted in average
oil prices remaining unusually stable, with levels exceeding $100 a
barrel for a third consecutive year.
The Review highlighted how demand for natural gas can rise when
the supplies are there. For example, Russia increased its gas
production to 12 billion cubic metres in 2013, which led to demand
from the EU for Russian gas increasing by 20%. New pipelines
into Europe are now being planned, such as the southern corridor
to bring gas from the Caspian to Europe with BP as the operator.
The 2013 data holds three important themes for BP. Firstly, the
global demand for energy continues to grow; energy consumption
growth was up 2.3% in the year, with emerging markets
accounting for 80% of growth in 2013. Secondly, the energy
market is working effectively to match that demand; for example,
the USA increased oil production by 1.1 million barrels a day.
Thirdly, BP’s business strategy means the Company is well placed
to benefit from current energy trends.
BP is using the 2013 data and its forward projections to help plan
future projects.
See bp.com/statisticalreview for full details of the Statistical
Review 2014.
Statistical Review of World Energy 2014:
at a glance
• Global primary energy consumption increased by 2.3%,
growing faster than in 2012 (+1.8%) but below the 10-year
average of 2.5%.
• Oil remains the world’s leading fuel with 32.9% of global
energy consumption.
• Emerging economies accounted for 80% of the global
increase in energy consumption.
• Global oil consumption grew by 1.4 million barrels a day
(b/d), or 1.4% – slightly above the historical average.
• Wind energy consumption grew 20.7% globally,
accounting for over half of renewable power growth.
4
Winter 2014 newsletter
news round-up
Juniper project gets go ahead
BP and CNOOC agree 20-year LNG deal
BP Trinidad and Tobago (bpTT) LLC received permission
to proceed with its Juniper offshore gas project
in August.
BP and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC)
signed a deal in June for the supply of up to 1.5 million tonnes of
liquefied natural gas (LNG) each year over 20 years starting in 2019.
The agreement was signed in London by BP Executive Vice
President Dev Sanyal and CNOOC Chairman Wang Yilin, in front
of UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Chinese Premier
Li Keqiang. CNOOC is a pioneer of China’s LNG industry and
the third largest LNG importer in the world, importing 13 million
tonnes in 2013.
Bob Dudley said: “This is a significant deal for BP and China, but
it also marks a step up in global connectivity in the gas market.
It gives BP greater flexibility to respond to the changing energy
demands from Europe, Asia and other regions. We are pleased to
support China’s commitment to improving its air quality.”
BP expects to supply LNG from its global portfolio, using its own
LNG tanker fleet and chartered ships delivering gas to a number of
terminals in China.
The Juniper offshore gas project
The project combines the construction of a normally unmanned
platform with subsea infrastructure, a first for bpTT. Fabrication is
proposed to begin later this year.
The Juniper facility will take gas from the Corallita and Lantana
fields located 50 miles off Trinidad’s south-east coast in water
about 360 feet deep. The development will include five subsea
wells. It will have a production capacity of approximately 590
million standard cubic feet a day. Gas from Juniper will flow to the
Mahogany B hub through a new 10 kilometre pipeline.
Juniper will become bpTT’s 14th offshore production facility.
Drilling is due to start in 2015, with first gas expected in 2017.
Air BP buys SFR Aviation
Air BP agreed to buy the aviation fuel business,
SFR Aviation (Statoil Fuel & Retail Aviation AS), from
Canadian company Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc
in September.
SFR’s business includes contracts to supply fuel at 79 airports
across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Greenland,
Finland, Netherlands and Germany, plus interests at three airports
in the UK and Belgium. The deal is expected to complete by
the end of the year, adding around 73 new airports to Air BP’s
600-strong global fuels network.
BP approved for first drones in Alaska
BP and AeroVironment are deploying Unmanned Aerial System
(UAS) technology, better known as drones, at Prudhoe Bay
in Alaska.
Announced in June, this is the first time the USA’s Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) has granted permission for a routine UAS
commercial service over land in the United States. The UAS
technology has the potential to improve the safety, efficiency
and reliability of BP’s Alaska North Slope infrastructure and
maintenance programmes.
“Unmanned aerial systems hold tremendous potential to add
value at BP in a wide variety of ways, with applications ranging
from mapping large areas, like this Alaska initiative, to inspecting
flare stacks or other tall, hard-to-access facilities in refineries
or on platforms,” said IT&S Chief Technology Officer Phiroz
Darukhanavala.
Using commercial drones will help BP improve the planning and
implementation of maintenance programmes for the infrastructure
throughout Prudhoe Bay, which takes in more than 200 miles
of gravel roads used to transport oilfield equipment and rigs to
their location.
David Gilmour, Chief Executive of Air BP, said: “Bringing SFR
Aviation’s business into our own strengthens our position in
Scandinavia, which is an attractive region for the aviation industry,
especially in the general aviation market. This deal will grow
BP’s airport coverage, as well as introduce us to new customers,
and give us access to SFR Aviation’s quality infrastructure
and operations.”
Air BP, the aviation division of BP, is one of the world’s largest
suppliers of aviation fuel products and services with over 1,100
employees. It supplies over 7.5 billion (US) gallons of jet kerosene
and aviation petrol to its customers across the globe each year.
Winter 2014 newsletter
Pipelines at Prudhoe Bay in Alaska
5
news round-up
Company news
First oil for CLOV project in Angola
The CLOV (Cravo, Lirio, Orquidea and Violet) project in
Angola, one of BP’s seven major start-ups in 2014, has
achieved first oil.
First production started from the CLOV Floating Production
Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel in Angola on 12 June. CLOV
is the fourth FPSO-based development in Angola Deepwater
Block 17 following the successful Girassol, Dalia and Pazflor
fields. It is expected to generate over 500 million barrels across
the four CLOV areas through 39 wells.
The project is operated by Total, with BP having a working
interest of 16.7%.
The CLOV project in Angola
First gas at DEKA project
BP Egypt announced first gas from the DEKA project offshore Egypt in August following the start of production from
the Denise South-6 well at an initial rate of 50 million cubic feet a day.
The DEKA project is centred on the Denise and Karawan gas fields in Temsah Concession in the East Nile Delta, in which BP holds a 50%
interest. It will supply the country’s domestic market using existing infrastructure from the Seth field, the Temsah pliocene export pipeline
and El Gamil gas terminal infrastructure.
BP North Africa Regional President Hesham Mekawi said: “The DEKA project is another example of BP’s commitment to Egypt and
longstanding Egyptian partnerships. We look forward to continuing to play a key role in the development of Egypt’s energy sector and
maximising the use of our existing resources to help meet the country’s growing energy demands for years to come.”
2014: A year of anniversaries
50 years of BP in Singapore
BP in Singapore is celebrating its 50th anniversary of
company operations in the country. Having developed
from an oil refining and marketing company, BP in
Singapore is now a trading and shipping hub.
BP’s relationship with Singapore started in 1964, when it acquired
the Maruzen Toyo oil company, which owned a small refinery in
Pasir Panjang, a chain of retail stations and some fuel
supply contracts.
Today, BP’s main business activities in Singapore include the
oil, gas, chemicals, carbon and finance trading business for
the area covering the Middle East, Southern and East Africa,
Australia, India, South East Asia and China. BP Singapore is also
the regional headquarters for Shipping, Consumer Lubricants,
Industrial Lubricants, Marine Fuel and Lubricants, and Aviation
Fuels. Seven hundred employees work from the Harbourfront
office and Tepong Marine Lubricants Blending plant in Jurong.
Cars involved in a BP Rally
in Singapore, 1972
6
A BP Singapore service station
decorated for an anniversary
Company
The Singapore Refining
x, 1986
ple
com
r
cke
Hydrocra
A BP Singapore service
station in the 1990s
Winter 2014 newsletter
news round-up
2014: A year of anniversaries
50 years in the North Sea
BP first discovered natural gas in the southern North Sea
in 1965, when it drilled the West Sole prospect. However,
it was the 1970 discovery of the giant Forties field that
transformed the UK energy landscape and turned the
North Sea into a globally significant oil and gas region.
BP constructed the Forties Pipeline System (FPS) and
the UK received its first North Sea oil to shore in
November 1975.
By 1990, BP had started up more than 15 fields in the UK North
Sea and four in the Norwegian North Sea. The Foinaven and
Schiehallion discoveries in the early 1990s allowed BP to pioneer
development west of the Shetland Islands, as the company
continued to break new ground to meet energy demand.
BP’s leading position in the North Sea also sees it at the forefront
of the application of offshore technology. Schiehallion was the
world’s largest purpose-built floating production, storage and
offloading (FPSO) vessel and the Clair Ridge development will see
the world’s first offshore full-field deployment of low-salinity water
injection for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR).
Against the global energy industry’s ever-shifting landscape, BP and
its joint venture partners are investing over £10 billion in new field
developments and redevelopments, while also conducting major
renewal programmes on several existing assets.
The company is redeveloping the Schiehallion field area with the
Quad204 project and a new purpose-built FPSO, and extending the
life of its Andrew platform with a project to tie in the Kinnoull
field development.
Most recently, in October, BP made a joint announcement with
GDF Suez about a new discovery, ‘Vorlich’, in the UK Central
North Sea.
BP remains committed to the North Sea for the long term, as it
currently employs almost 4,000 BP and agency staff in the area
and is one of the region’s leading producers and investors.
You can find more information on www.bp.com
Workers arriving at an offshore
platform by helicopter, 1989
6 (the
Sea Quest: 1965 to 196
North
the
in
d
use
drilling rig BP
Field)
s
rtie
Fo
the
ll
dri
to
Sea
Workers on the drilling floor,
Clyde Oilfield, 1989
Winter 2014 newsletter
Prince Philip visiting Nigg Bay
and viewing the North Sea
platform fabrication in 1974
A platform structure on
its journey to
the Magnus Field on 27
March 1982
Bruce Installation, 1989
Employees gearing up
for helicopter
transfer, Clair Platform
, 2011
7
news round-up
Company news
D-Day landings 1944: BP’s role remembered
100 years at Saltend
BP has been remembering its role in the success
of the D-Day landings with the 70th anniversary
commemorations of the event in 2014.
Celebrations were held at the BP-managed Saltend
Chemicals Park near Hull this summer to recognise
100 years of industrial activity at the site.
The giant bobbin, which was rolled across
the English Channel to unwind the pipeline
Due to the huge fuel supplies required for an invasion of Europe
by the allied forces, BP developed an operation to supply petrol
from storage tanks in southern England to France through huge
pipelines under the English Channel.
Operation PLUTO (Pipe-lines under the ocean) was developed by
Arthur Hartley, BP’s chief engineer at the time. British scientists, oil
companies and the armed forces all worked together to construct
the oil pipelines, which were unwound across the seabed from
the UK to France. Pipelines were considered important as they
reduced the pressure on oil tankers – which could be slowed by
bad weather and targeted by German submarines.
Huge floating drums laid the flexible, pressure-resistant, steel
pipes shortly after D-Day, which carried around one million gallons
of fuel a day. At first, they were laid from the Isle of Wight to
Cherbourg, but later on in the Second World War over 500 miles
of pipeline were laid from Dungeness to Boulogne.
Construction of the offices at
Ferensway, Hull in 1931, which
became the Shell-Mex and BP
Ltd divisional offices
The first cargo of oil was landed at a specially-constructed jetty on
27 May 1914. BP first arrived in 1921 and today hosts a number of
other companies as part of the Saltend Chemicals Park, as well as
operating its two acetic acid plants and an ammonia plant on behalf
of Yara.
BP used the centenary celebrations to promote recruitment
opportunities in the local community through a special 40page supplement in the local newspaper, the Hull Daily Mail.
Alongside the history of the site, the supplement covered BP’s
apprenticeship scheme, its decades of technical innovation and
links with local schools.
Visit www.saltendchemicalspark.co.uk for more details about
the site’s history and current developments.
People news
Iain Conn leaves BP after
29-year career
BP’s Group Managing
Director and Chief Executive,
Downstream, Iain Conn, left
the company on 1 October
and will step down from BP’s
board by the end of the year.
Iain, 51, served on the board for the
Iain Conn
last 10 years and in his most recent
Downstream role for the past seven.
A trained chemical engineer, Iain joined BP in 1986 and worked
in a wide variety of roles before becoming Chief Executive of BP
Petrochemicals in 2002.
Bob Dudley said: “Iain has led the repositioning of BP’s
Downstream business over the past few years, transforming
and greatly strengthening both its portfolio and performance –
financially and also in terms of safety and operations. He has been
an invaluable member of the executive team and, for me personally,
a great support. He leaves with my very best wishes.”
Appointments
Alan Boeckmann
Alan Boeckmann was appointed to
the BP board as a non-executive
director in July.
Previously Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Fluor
Corporation, the engineering and
construction company, Alan retired
from there in February 2012 after
35 years with the company.
Alan Boeckmann
Spencer Dale
Spencer Dale joined BP as the new Group Chief Economist on
27 October.
Spencer is a senior central banker and was most recently the
Executive Director for Financial Stability Strategy and Risk at the
Bank of England, and a member of the Financial Policy Committee.
Tufan Erginbilgic took over the role of Chief Executive, Downstream
on 1 October. Tufan was formerly Chief Operating Officer for BP’s
fuels businesses globally.
8
Winter 2014 newsletter
news round-up
PLO news
New Pensioner Liaison Officer (PLO)
Annual PLOs conference
We are very pleased to welcome Julia
Cavanna as the new PLO to the South
East region.
The PLOs held their annual conference at the Skyline Sheraton
Hotel near Heathrow on 9 October.
Each year, this event gives PLOs the opportunity to meet up with
each other and with members of the UK Pensions & Benefits
team, to share their experiences and provide feedback on the
service they provide.
Julia has taken over responsibility for
postcode areas CT, GU and PO. These
areas were previously covered by Robin
Charter before his sad death in May
this year.
We have written to the pensioners in
Julia’s area to introduce her to them.
Julia’s phone number is 01323 509411
and her email address is
julia.cavanna@uk.bp.com.
Julia Cavanna
Julia lives in Eastbourne and retired from BP at the end of 2009.
She worked for the Company from 1982 to 2009, concluding her
BP career in Treasury.
It is with much regret that Amy Smith,
PLO for the Scotland and Northern
Ireland region, has had to give up her
role due to illness. Amy covered the
FK 2 and 3 postcode areas. We are
currently seeking a replacement for her.
We thank Amy for her service as a PLO
and wish her well for the future.
Visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org for more information on the
charity’s work and general information on dementia.
Amy Smith
New telephone number for John Witty
Following a house move, John Witty, PLO for the East Midlands
and East Anglia region, has a new telephone number. It is 01394
279302. We have written to all of John’s constituents to let them
know about his new number.
Wrong telephone number
In the printed edition of the Spring 2014 Newsletter, we quoted
the wrong phone number for Bernard Vincent. His correct phone
number is 01464 829231. Our sincere apologies to Bernard and
to anyone else inconvenienced by this error. The mistake was
quickly corrected on the online version.
We will include an updated list of all the PLOs in the Spring
2015 Newsletter with the postcode areas they cover, their
contact telephone numbers and email addresses. In the
meantime, if you need the contact details of your PLO, please
contact the UK Pensions & Benefits team. The team’s details
are on the back page.
Winter 2014 newsletter
The BP Benevolent Fund was the focus of another session. Fund
Chairman Dr John Mumford OBE and Fund Administrator Peter
Darnell gave details on what the Fund can help with and provided
an update on trends in recent cases. (See page 10 for more details
about the Fund.)
Finally, the PLOs welcomed a guest speaker: Dr Laura Phipps from
Alzheimer’s Research UK, the UK’s leading dementia research
charity. Dr Phipps provided the PLOs with a general understanding
of dementia, the different forms of the condition, the symptoms
and an update on research and treatment developments. She
also signposted details of organisations that PLOs can share with
affected members and their families.
Amy Smith
If Amy was your PLO, please direct
any questions to the Regional
Co-ordinator, Bernard Vincent.
Bernard’s telephone number
is 01464 829231 and his email address
is bernard.vincent@uk.bp.com.
This year’s conference agenda included an update from the UK
Pensions & Benefits team. The presentation covered matters
including latest pension developments, a review of recent
pensions taxation updates, BP’s defined contribution (DC) scheme
and a reminder on Power of Attorney rules.
Pensions news
Pension payment dates
Here are the BP Pension Fund’s pay dates for 2015.
Payroll month
Pay (credit) date
January 2015
31 December 2014
February 2015
30 January 2015
March 2015
27 February 2015
April 2015
1 April 2015
May 2015
1 May 2015
June 2015
1 June 2015
July 2015
1 July 2015
August 2015
31 July 2015
September 2015
1 September 2015
October 2015
1 October 2015
November 2015
30 October 2015
December 2015
1 December 2015
January 2016
31 December 2015
9
useful information
The BP Benevolent Fund
The BP Benevolent Fund covers a wide variety of requests
For more than 24 years, the BP Benevolent Fund
has been helping former UK BP employees and their
dependants who are suffering severe financial hardship.
In that time, the Fund has awarded grants or interest-free
loans to hundreds of the company’s UK pensioners and
their families with a variety of different needs.
John Mumford, Chairman of the Fund’s Trustee board, said: “The
Fund was set up in June 1990 as a charitable trust, when BP kindly
donated £1 million of initial funding to help get us underway. The
assistance we provide is either in the form of grants or interestfree loans, or a mixture of the two. An individual’s financial
circumstances will always be taken into account when considering
an application for help and each case is considered on its merits.”
What can I apply for?
The Fund typically pays out an average of £40,000 each year.
Grants and loans awarded cover a wide variety of support, including
replacement windows, kitchen white goods, house repairs,
disability and mobility equipment, and, in some instances, help with
debt situations. So, if you have similar urgent needs, the Fund may
be able to help.
The support provided by the Fund is designed to meet a specific
need. As a result, it will not provide help for care home fees or
medical costs which are more long term. The Fund will, however,
consider an application for the special equipment needs of a person
living in a care home, such as a special chair or bed.
When considering whether the Fund may be able to help,
the Trustee board will also seek to work with other charitable
organisations to see if the costs might be shared. This applies
particularly where a claimant, or their dependant, had served in
the Armed Forces.
10
How to apply
If you would benefit from financial assistance through the BP
Benevolent Fund, please contact your Pensioner Liaison Officer
(PLO) to discuss your situation and for advice on applying for a grant
or loan. Your PLO may be able to arrange a visit and can then help
with completing the application. The PLO will send your application
to the Fund Administrator, Peter Darnell, who will then present the
case to the Trustee board. The board reviews cases by email to
ensure as speedy a response as possible.
Peter said: “The Trustees will always try to help wherever a
legitimate case exists. We know that there is severe hardship out
there, it’s just not always easy to uncover. However, if in doubt –
apply, or if you know of someone in need, please let either your
PLO or me know.”
A success story
A recent case involved an applicant who needed urgent repairs
to their house roof, which was leaking and causing damage to
the interior of the property. It was clear from the outset that the
individual was experiencing severe financial hardship, so the
Trustees were unanimous in their decision to provide funding.
Additionally, SSAFA was involved and both parties contributed to
the eventual cost of the repairs.
For more information
To find out more, speak to your PLO in the first instance. You
can get contact details for your PLO from the BP UK Pensions
& Benefits team, whose details are on the back page. If you live
overseas and wish to apply for financial assistance, you should
contact Peter Darnell directly on +44 (0)1403 710437.
Winter 2014 newsletter
Fighting fraud
Everyone needs to be aware of the risk of online scams when doing banking or shopping on the internet
Criminals are constantly coming up with new ways to
separate you from your money. With Christmas and the
January sales a peak period for online shopping and
banking scams, this quick guide may help you avoid
becoming a victim.
Over the phone
Targeted telephone calls are a common strategy used to gain
access to your bank details and cash. Fraudsters usually call
claiming to be from the bank or the police and report a problem
with the customer’s card or account. Customers are then duped
into revealing their PIN, handing over their bank cards or money
to a courier, or transferring funds to a new account.
Avoid phone scams
• Banks and other legitimate organisations will never ask for your
PIN, password, or full security details when contacting you.
Nor will they ever ask you to give your card to a courier, withdraw
and hand over cash, or transfer funds to another account.
• Never enter your card PIN into a telephone in response to a call,
letter, email or text.
• If suspicious of a caller, don’t be afraid to end the call.
• To confirm the call is genuine, the caller may suggest you
phone them back – but fraudsters can keep the line open
by not disconnecting at their end. Call back from a different
phone or make another call first to check the line was properly
disconnected.
Winter 2014 newsletter
Staying safe online
As more people do their shopping and banking online, the risk
posed by online scams has increased. Many customers have been
deceived into buying goods on well-known websites, such as Ebay,
Gumtree or Autotrader. The fraudulent seller will request payment
is made directly to their bank account, rather than using a credit
card or Paypal. Typically, the goods don’t exist and customers are
unable to contact the seller after ‘buying’ the goods.
Fraudsters are also sending emails that look like they’re from
your bank, claiming you need to update or verify your account
information. The email includes a link to a bogus site that looks like
the genuine bank’s online banking login page and the fraudster
captures the security details you entered.
Avoid online scams
• When buying online, always use the secure methods of payment
rather than direct payments to a seller and try to see high-value
items before sending any money.
• If an online deal seems too good to be true, it probably is!
• Don’t click on links or open attachments in emails you’re
unsure about.
• Be cautious of emails starting ‘Dear Valued Customer’ or
‘Sir/Madam’, a common trait of scam emails.
• Never go to your online banking login page via a link in an email.
• Never click on an email link and then enter personal information
or security details.
• Protect your computer with up-to-date security software.
11
useful information
Bereavement benefits
Whilst we know dealing with the death of a partner is always difficult, it is reassuring to know that at this time you
may be entitled to certain benefits provided by the State.
What are bereavement benefits?
How much do you get?
We last included a summary about bereavement benefits in our
‘Annual State benefits and tax supplement’, as part of our Spring
2014 edition. Since then several readers have written to us asking
for more details. In particular, Lauchlan Hill from Lanarkshire
and Peter Lacy from North Somerset contacted us to ask for
more information about both the Bereavement Payment and the
Bereavement Allowance.
The amount you get depends on the overall level of your partner’s
or civil partner’s NI contributions and your age at the time of his or
her death, up to a maximum of £111.20 a week.
As you probably know, there is a lot of information available online
at www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/bereavement. However, we
appreciate some of you don’t have internet access and even those
who do may prefer reading something in print, so we are happy
to provide some additional detail. We hope you find the following
summary about both Bereavement Payment and Bereavement
Allowance useful.
Who can’t claim?
Bereavement Payment
If your husband, wife or civil partner has died, you may be able to
get Bereavement Payment: a one-off, tax-free, lump sum payment
of £2,000.
Who can claim?
You may be able to claim the payment if your spouse or civil
partner paid National Insurance (NI) contributions. However, if their
death was caused whilst they were working, it will not matter
whether they paid NI contributions or not.
One of the following situations must also apply to claim:
• You were under State pension age when they died; or
• Your spouse or civil partner was not entitled to a retirement
pension on his or her NI record when they died.
Who can’t claim?
You can’t get Bereavement Payment if any of the following are true:
• You were divorced or had dissolved the civil partnership when
your spouse or partner died;
• You are living with another person as husband, wife or
civil partner;
• You are in prison.
Bereavement Allowance
After you’re widowed, you may be able to claim Bereavement
Allowance, which is a taxable weekly benefit. It is paid to you for
up to 52 weeks from the date of death of your husband, wife or
civil partner.
Who can claim?
You may be able to claim Bereavement Allowance if:
The allowance is payable for 52 weeks only. You will not receive the
allowance and a State Retirement Pension – you will receive the
greater of the two.
We should point out that you can’t claim Bereavement Allowance if:
• You are bringing up children - you can claim Widowed Parent’s
Allowance instead;
• You were divorced from your late husband or wife, or your civil
partnership was dissolved at the time of your civil partner’s death;
• You remarry, you live with another person as if you are married to
them or as if you have formed a civil partnership;
• You are in prison; or
• You were over State Pension Age when you were widowed or
became a surviving civil partner - you may be able to get extra
State Pension instead.
Where can I find more information?
To make a claim, you can order a Bereavement Benefits pack (form
BB1) over the telephone from your local Job Centre Plus. The pack
has help notes on how to fill in the claim form.
If you have any questions, please contact the Bereavement Service
for more information. The telephone number is 0345 606 0265 and
lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
General bereavement support
In addition to help from the State, there are a number
of organisations that offer advice and practical help to
recently-bereaved people:
Bereavement Advice Centre
A free helpline and web-based information service offering
practical information and advice to help people after a
bereavement.
Phone: 0800 634 9494
Visit: www.bereavementadvice.org
CRUSE Bereavement Care
Free and confidential help for bereaved people.
Phone: 0844 477 9400
Visit: www.cruse.org.uk
• You are a widow, widower or surviving civil partner;
• You are aged 45 or over when your husband, wife or civil
partner died;
• You are not bringing up children;
• You are under State Pension Age;
• Your late husband, wife or civil partner paid NI contributions or
died as a result of an industrial accident or disease.
12
Winter 2014 newsletter
lifestyle
Life begins at 55
Image copyright: © Gloucester Citizen
Inspiring work is child’s play
Graham Wiltshire answering questions about the Bloodhound vehicle
from children at Churchdown Parton Manor Junior School in Gloucester
A former BP safety consultant has swapped workplace
evaluation for classroom education as an ambassador
for the Bloodhound project, which aims to create a
supersonic car (SSC) to break the land speed record
in 2015.
Graham Wiltshire worked for BP LPG UK for 20 years at the LPG
terminal at Avonmouth, Bristol, with a background in construction
and operations. For the last 10 years, he was the HSE adviser to
the business.
After retiring in August 2007, Graham initially continued his health
and safety and training work as a consultant. However, a day out
with a BMW motorcycle club led to a chance encounter with the
original site where the Bloodhound car was designed. He became
so interested in the venture that he became a 1K Club member of
Bloodhound SSC, where members’ subscriptions help fund the
project in return for exclusive updates from and events with the
project team.
Graham discovered that the Bloodhound project, whose sponsors
include Castrol, has two main aspects: the design and construction
of the car, and education. The education side works as part of the
UK STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)
system, which brings people working in industry into schools to
introduce all aspects of engineering to school children. In addition,
the Ministry of Education is using Bloodhound as an inspirational
project to encourage children aged 10 to 13 to choose sciencebased subjects for their GCSE options with a view to becoming the
engineers of the future.
Ideal opportunity
Such was his interest that Graham applied earlier this year to
become a Bloodhound STEM Ambassador – one of over 250 in the
UK. Graham said: “I used to enjoy training so much when working
that I felt something was missing in retirement. With my career
background, experience in training and having no qualms about
presenting in front of large groups, this was an ideal opportunity.”
Winter 2014 newsletter
As a Bloodhound STEM Ambassador, Graham had training at a
dedicated centre in Bristol, including specific work on presenting
to children. He also has access to a wide range of videos, models,
sample presentations and activities designed to excite and inform
teachers and pupils about the Bloodhound SSC Project.
Graham said: “The role involves taking the various full-sized models
of the Bloodhound cars into schools and running five different
classroom sessions to introduce children to the project. The
sessions include building a model rocket car from KNex modelling
equipment and running the children’s cars in the playground
to demonstrate the importance of aerodynamics and vehicle
structure. In another session, we ask the children to plan the layout
of the desert camp in South Africa on the Hakskeenpan, where the
world record attempt will take place in 2016.
“It’s great fun teaching and talking to the children, and giving them
exposure to the joys of technology and science.”
To make his Bloodhound role fit in with his retirement lifestyle,
Graham tries to keep his work to within a 90-minute journey from
his home, with a focus on getting into as many of his local schools
or after school clubs as possible. He also maintains an interest in
how the project is developing, which in the coming months will
include public exhibitions.
When asked why he has pursued this venture and what he gets
out of it, Graham said: “After leaving BP, I wanted something
more fulfilling and useful than holidays in retirement. I’m giving
something back out of the lifetime of education and training I’ve
been lucky to have – that’s the driver.
“I hope sharing my story gives readers a greater understanding
of what the Bloodhound project is all about and what Castrol’s
sponsorship is doing to help inspire the young children of today to
become the engineers of tomorrow that UK industry badly needs.”
For more information about the Bloodhound SSC project, visit the
website www.bloodhoundssc.com or look out for updates in
future editions of Newsletter.
13
lifestyle
Life begins at 55
Brian Cheyne in his shop ‘Collecting the World’
From accounting to collecting
Former operations accountant, Brian Cheyne, has
pursued a new career in retirement developing a
collectables and antiques business.
Brian took early retirement from BP in 2008, after 30 years’ service
in various accounting and commercial roles in Aberdeen and also
at the Sullom Voe Terminal. Shortly after retiring, Brian decided
to pursue his passion for antiques and in 2009 he set up a small
business trading in a wide variety of collectables.
An antiques enthusiast for most of his life, Brian’s interest was
first sparked when he began collecting coins and stamps as
a schoolboy. He then moved onto doing up old furniture as a
way of making some extra cash. Since then, he has always
enjoyed the process of restoring vintage and antique items to
their former glory.
The name of his business, ‘Collecting the World’, was coined
from a phase regularly uttered by Brian’s wife, who tells him he’s
“constantly collecting anything and everything”. Brian trades from
a shop in Newmachar, Aberdeenshire, and also has a presence in
various other retail outlets across north-east Scotland.
Brian’s shop was recently featured on an episode of the BBC’s
Antiques Road Trip, as Brian explained: “Earlier in the year, I
approached one of the antiques experts on the show, as I had a
few items I thought might be of interest. I received an email to say
they were keen to visit.
14
“A film crew arrived at the shop this summer and antiques expert
Christina Trevanion even bought a couple of items. The programme
was shown in late September. Since then, many people who
have been into the shop have commented on it so it’s been a
great experience and good promotion. I’m hoping to welcome the
show’s experts back next year.”
Speaking about the most enjoyable aspects of his new role in
retirement, Brian said: “I really enjoy meeting people who come
into the shop with interesting things. Some people bring in family
heirlooms which they don’t know much about, so it’s nice to be
able to help them; I especially enjoy the research aspect in this.
“Another satisfying part of the role is restoring old items, such as
neglected furniture, and giving them a new lease of life. People
really appreciate it and it’s nice to receive positive comments.”
Looking to the future, Brian hopes to expand the list of venues
that sell his goods on commission and there are also plans in the
pipeline for a new website to increase promotion of the business.
Brian said: “When I set up the Facebook page I wasn’t sure how it
would go, but it’s worked really well. I think now is a good time to
set up a website and try to take things to the next stage.”
You can find out more about ‘Collecting the World’ and Brian’s
antiques on his Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/
pages/Collecting-The-World/485466134853883?sk=info
Winter 2014 newsletter
Your stories
The original drivers of XJD 366T, Terry Brown and Peter Knights (left) with the
current owners and drivers, David and Russell Baker and David’s grandson, Freddie
One of the former drivers of XJD 366T in
its BP years, Peter Knights, back in the cab
after almost 30 years
Drivers reunited with an old friend
Two retired tanker drivers from the Haven Terminal in
Essex have been reunited with an old work friend who
they haven’t seen for nearly 30 years.
Peter Knights and Terry Brown were drivers when BP Oil took
delivery of over 100 new ERF tankers in the late 1970s, including
one based at the Haven Terminal, registered as XJD 366T.
David kindly invited Darren, Peter and Terry to his business in
Hampshire to see their old tanker. They travelled down in June
and all spent a couple of hours looking over the vehicle, sharing
stories and exchanging photographs. David also took the old BP
drivers out for a ride in the same cab they used to drive almost
30 years ago.
Another BP driver, David Blaney, was the main driver of the
wagon, but Peter and Terry also used it regularly to make deliveries
to petrol stations and businesses around Essex and the Home
Counties during the late 1970s and into the 1980s.
Other than changing the tanker body for the recovery one, David
confirmed that the old workhorse remains as it was when BP
owned it, with the same engine and gearbox and many of its
original features. It has been used as a front line heavy recovery
vehicle for many years and has never let the firm down.
BP sold the tanker in 1986 and that’s where Peter and Terry thought
their association with it would end. However, in May this year,
Peter’s son Darren was looking through some photographs online
when he happened to spot an ERF eight-wheeler. It had the same
registration, but it was now operating as a heavy recovery vehicle.
The morning brought back a lot of great memories for Peter
and Terry. Neither of them ever thought that they would get the
chance to travel in one of their old road tankers again. They were
keen to thank David Baker and his family for the warm welcome
they received.
Darren decided to email the company whose name was on the
recovery vehicle. Soon after, he received a phone call from the
vehicle’s owner, David Baker. He confirmed that it was the same
wagon, which his company, Bakers of Oakley, had bought in 1986
and converted to a recovery vehicle.
Peter, Terry and Darren would like to hear from others who
may have memories or photographs of their time at the Haven
Terminal. You can get in touch by emailing Darren Knights at
DCKnights@pennexgroup.com.
The converted tanker is now a heavy
recovery vehicle for Bakers of Oakley,
based in Basingstoke, Hampshire
Winter 2014 newsletter
The tanker in its original BP livery when
it was based at the Haven Terminal
15
keeping in touch
We are always keen to promote membership of all groups and clubs run by and for BP pensioners. In this
Newsletter, we are featuring the Amoco Luncheon Club, the Britoiler Club and the 44 Club. If you would like us
to run a feature on your group or club, please contact the Editor, Peter Lay.
Amoco Luncheon Club
The Amoco Retirees Luncheon Club has had another
busy year of sporting and social get-togethers, having
evolved over the years to offer two ways of meeting
up regularly.
The Amoco Luncheon Club has been running since January 1997
and offers an opportunity to catch up and reminisce with former
colleagues over lunch at Pizza Express, 29 Wardour Street, London.
It meets quarterly from 12 noon on the nearest Wednesday to the
15th of the month in March, June, September and December. The
latest lunch on 17 September marked its 73rd gathering, with 19
attendees. At Christmas, about 40 go along.
The club’s second section is the Retirees of Amoco Golf Society,
usually referred to as RAGS. RAGS was set up in September 1986
by Geoff Bennett and others, a retired exploration manager, when
Amoco Europe was disbanded. The idea was for members to meet
and play golf every month with like-minded former colleagues
and guests.
RAGS usually meets on the second Wednesday of each month.
As its members are mainly located near the M25, matches are
usually played at courses in the Heathrow to Gatwick area, such as
Tandridge, Surrey National and Maidenhead Pine Ridge. The cost
averages around £35 to £40, which includes coffee and bacon rolls
on arrival, 18 holes and lunch.
The monthly matches include competitions for ‘Monthly Winner’,
‘Longest Drive’ and ‘Nearest the Pin’. At the end of the season, the
player with the best average score across at least four matches
Geoff Bennett (left) presents the President’s
Trophy to 2014 winner Dave Wybar
is awarded the ‘President’s Trophy’. The most recent winner,
presented with the trophy at Pine Ridge on 3 September, was
Dave Wybar.
The membership age range is 50s through to 70s, and handicaps
range from beginner down to single figure. Guests from outside
the old Amoco organisations are very welcome too.
All pensioners and former employees from any of the Amoco
companies in Britain are very welcome at both events. For
more details about joining and upcoming events, please contact
Gren Annetts on +44 (0)1628 784441 or at grenville.annetts@
btinternet.com. More information on RAGS is available on the
website – www.therags.org.uk.
The 44 Club: still welcoming new members
From 1932 until the end of 1975, the oil products of BP
and Shell in the UK were marketed and distributed by
Shell-Mex & BP Ltd. The company was demerged on
1 January 1976, so the 44 Club was established initially
to provide a social organisation for SMBP pensioners at
the time.
However, many of those retiring later from BP and Shell also
wanted to enjoy the contact with colleagues from earlier in their
careers. Membership was therefore extended to anybody who had
spent time working for, or closely associated with, SMBP.
The club still has about 3,500 members nationwide, supported by a
part-time secretary and a team of volunteers. Members receive
a copy of the Club News quarterly (also available on cassette),
which includes general articles, news about members, reports
on branch social activities and details of forthcoming events.
The club produces its own pocket diary, which helps to finance one
of its most valued activities – cards sent to older members on their
birthdays, with volunteers sending about 170 cards each month.
Around the UK there are 18 branches that organise a range of
social activities, including coffee mornings, lunches, quizzes, talks,
and visits to places of interest. The South Midlands branch recently
enjoyed a cruise on the Grand Union Canal followed by some 60
members enjoying a guided tour of Ashridge. Bristol branch visited
The Original Bristol Blue Glass Factory for a talk on glass making
16
Enjoying a recent 44 Club reunion: Anne Watson, Stuart
McGrory, Derek Howcroft, Ann Kirkness and Mike Stapley
and a demonstration of glass blowing, while Glasgow branch
will have a talk on antiques. The pub lunch, however, remains
the most popular and sociable event in most branches.
Every April, the club holds a reunion in association with its AGM,
which attracts between 150 and 200 members from across the
country to enjoy renewing past friendships.
If you have an SMBP connection and would like to join the
club, please contact the Secretary, Charles Madge, on
+44 (0)20 7934 5132 or email 44-club@shell.com.
Life membership is just £4.
Winter 2014 newsletter
Britoiler Club: golf section update
The Britoil Old Boys Golf Society (BOGS) spun out of
the original Britoil Sports & Social Club Golf Society.
Founded around 1982, just after being privatised from
BNOC, it is now a strand of the Britoiler Club. Sandy
Lauder gave us a short history of BOGS and brings it up
to date with details of this year’s activities.
One of the first golf days was held at Braemar, organised by the
secretary, Colin McLean. Many members at that time worked in
finance at Exchange House, and names such as Ray Binner, Dave
Lyon, Sandy Ronald and David Simpson adorn some of the golf
trophies from the 1980s. As well as standard outings, there were
‘majors’, such as the Clyde Cup (a match play event against the
Glasgow office), the Joe Duffy Trophy, and the classic Bristows/
Britoil match at Royal Dornoch. The golfers were flown there and
back in the Sikorsky S-61 helicopter (how some loved turning up at
the heliport with a set of golf clubs instead of an offshore bag!)
The early 2000s saw a move to different accommodation,
alternating between the Sunninghill Hotel, Elgin, and The Garth
Hotel, Grantown-on-Spey. The golf was played at the notable
courses of Lossiemouth, Spey Bay, Forres, Grantown–on-Spey,
Elgin and Boat of Garten.
In recent years, under the direction of Tommy Hillock, BOGS has
added a seven-day golf holiday to allow members to enjoy visiting
courses further afield, with Portugal the destination this year.
BOGS keeps going from strength to strength, and next year’s
arrangements are already well in hand with the Summer 2015
outing to be held at Dalmahoy in May.
The Britoiler Club is open to former BDOL, BNOC and Britoil
employees. For more details about BOGS and the Britoiler Club,
contact Sandy Lauder by email at laudersa@live.com or phone
+44 (0)1236 429219.
One-day outings developed into two-day breaks, with the first
of these at Blairgowrie. Two rounds over two days became four
rounds over two days, taking in courses like Monifeith, Downfield
and Nairn, organised by the likes of Ernie Eddington, Stuart
Houston and George Waugh.
In the 1990s, BOGS settled at the Ben Mhor Hotel in
Grantown-on-Spey, under Phil Tough as secretary. When BOGS
celebrated its 10th anniversary, the reins were handed over
to George Bain, assisted by his son, Andy, who arranged both
summer and autumn outings across the North East.
BOGS members enjoying a meal in
Ballater earlier this year
in Portugal
Some of the BOGS members
Calum Monroe presenting Joe Duffy Cup
winner Sandy Lauder with his trophy
BP Society Survey: results round-up
You will recall that in the Spring 2014 edition of Newsletter we included a survey to seek your views on the
BP Society and this magazine.
We were delighted with the response – more than 4,000 of you
took the time to complete the survey online or by post, so thank
you. Both the BP Society and BP Pensions & Benefits are in the
process of analysing the results and personalised feedback, so
we’ll bring you an update in future editions.
In the meantime, here is a quick overview of the results:
• 4,033 pensioners responded.
• 30% were members of the BP Society.
• 54% were not members of any BP club.
Winter 2014 newsletter
• The main reasons that would persuade pensioners to join the
BP Society were: to maintain a link with BP; to keep in touch
with former colleagues; and to access details about useful
organisations/information.
• More than half of you said you would prefer to keep up to date
on what’s happening at BP through Newsletter magazine.
• 76% would prefer to receive information about their BP pensions
and benefits by post.
• Newsletter magazine rated highly for being easy to read, its
usefulness, and for the format and text size.
17
directory
Useful contacts
Below is a list of useful contacts. We have given telephone and email addresses where possible, but in some instances, only website
addresses are available. This may be due to there being different telephone numbers for different offices or departments. Your local
telephone directory should be able to provide these telephone numbers.
Name of organisation
Purpose
Contact details
BEN, the automotive industry
charity
Provides information and advice and makes
grants to people in severe financial hardship.
Phone: +44 (0)1344 876770
Email: careservices@ben.org.uk
Web: www.ben.org.uk
BP Archive
Accepts donations of any interesting BP
artefacts, photographs or other records.
Phone: +44 (0)24 7652 4522
Email: bparchive@bp.com
Address: BP Archive, University of Warwick,
Coventry, CV4 7AL
BP Benevolent Fund
Helps former employees, or their
dependants, who might be suffering
extreme financial hardship.
Please contact your Pensioner Liaison Officer in
the first instance. If you are phoning from outside
the UK, please contact the Benevolent Fund
Administrator on +44 (0)1403 710437.
BP Ford Car Scheme
A lease scheme providing discounts on
the prices of Ford and Volvo cars and an
inclusive maintenance package.
Phone: 0870 700 8404
Email: info@fordcarscheme.com
Web: www.fordcarscheme.com
Provides a discount on a number of Bupa’s
private medical schemes.
Phone: 0800 600 500
Please quote reference E122, to identify you as
calling from BP.
Capita Registrars BP Share Registrar.
Phone: 0800 701107 or +44 (0)20 3170 3678 if
phoning from outside the UK.
Email: mybpshares@capita.co.uk
Web: www.mybpshares.com
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
Helps resolve legal, money and other
problems with free, independent and
confidential advice.
Web: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
You can find your local CAB office listed in the
phone book.
GOV.UK
Provides access to Government services
and information.
Web: www.gov.uk
Hertz (car hire)
Provides 15% off Hertz car hire in the UK,
Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Phone: 0870 844 4844
Web: www.hertz.co.uk
You will need to quote CDP number 598054
HM Revenue & Customs
Provides information on tax and National
Insurance contributions.
Taxes helpline: 0300 200 3300 or +44 0135 535
9022 if phoning from outside the UK.
Web: www.hmrc.gov.uk
IFA Promotion
Helps you to find an independent financial
adviser in your area.
Web: www.unbiased.co.uk
Jobcentre Plus
Provides help and advice on making or
maintaining a benefit claim.
Web: www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus
You can find your local Jobcentre Plus office listed in
the phone book.
Institute of Advanced Motorists
(IAM)
Provides a programme of defensive driving
courses.
Phone IAM Fleet Training Limited on:
0845 310 8311
Email: enquiries@iamfleet.com
Web: www.iamdriveandsurvive.co.uk
Money Advice Service
Provides free, clear and unbiased advice to
help you make the most of your money.
Phone: 0300 500 5000
Web: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk
Bupa
18
Winter 2014 newsletter
Name of organisation
Purpose
Contact details
Select Insurance Services (provided
by Sutton Winson)
Provides a wide range of insurance
services, including home, holiday
home, vehicle, breakdown, travel
and marine.
Phone: 0800 116 4322
Email: bp@swib.co.uk
Web: www.suttonwinson.com/bp
(password is bpgreen)
The Pensions Advisory Service
Provides information and advice on
pensions (but does not deal with
individual pension queries).
Phone: 0845 601 2923
Email: enquiries@pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk
Web: www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk
The Pensions Regulator
Regulatory body for work-based
pension schemes in the UK.
Web: www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk
The Pension Tracing Service
Helps you to find any pension
schemes you have lost touch with.
Phone: 0845 600 2537
Web: www.gov.uk/find-lost-pension
The Unclaimed Assets Register
Helps you to find any lost assets you
might have and establish contact with
financial institutions.
Phone: 0844 481 8180
Email: uarenquiries@uk.experian.com
Web: www.uar.co.uk
TOP – Tax Help for Older People
An independent, free tax advice
service for older people on low
incomes.
Phone: 0845 601 3321 or +44 (0)1308 488066
Email: taxvol@taxvol.org.uk
Web: www.taxvol.org.uk
Groups and clubs
Below is a list of groups and clubs open to BP and Burmah Castrol pensioners.
Group or club
Open to
Contact details
Amoco Luncheon Club
All pensioners and former employees of
any Amoco company in Britain.
Phone: Gren Annetts on
+44 (0)1628 784441
Email: grenville.annetts@btinternet.com
BP Retired Drivers’ Club
Shell-Mex and BP drivers who retired from
the Swansea terminal in 1985.
Phone: +44 (0)1792 416347
BP Society
All BP and Burmah Castrol pensioners.
Phone: +44 (0)1932 762029
Email: bpsociety@uk.bp.com
Web: www.bpsociety.co.uk
Bristol Composite Materials (BcM) All pensioners and former employees
of Bristol Composite Materials.
Phone: +44 (0)1179 861927
Email: mholdvicgreen@talktalk.net
Britoiler Club
All former BDOL / BNOC / Britoil
employees.
Phone: Sandy Lauder on
+44 (0)1236 429219
Email: laudersa@live.com
Castaways Luncheon Club
All BP Shipping pensioners.
Phone: Mike Hind on
+44 (0)1449 780190
Email: hindles57@btinternet.com
Daytime Activities Club, New
Beckenham
All BP and Burmah Castrol pensioners.
Phone: Derek Sheath on
+44 (0)1689 851939
Meadhurst Club Retired Members’
Section
All BP and Burmah Castrol pensioners.
Phone: Sylvia Adams on
+44 (0)1932 242100
Email: n_adams4@sky.com
Shell-Mex and BP Ltd (SMBP) 44
Association
Any pensioner who was employed
by SMBP.
Phone: +44 (0)20 7934 5132
Email: 44-club@shell.com
The Petroleum Women’s Club
Women who are or who have been
involved in the petroleum industry. Also
open to female relatives of anyone that
is currently or has been involved in the
industry.
Phone: +44 (0)1923 711720
Email: pwcmembership@btinternet.com
Winter 2014 newsletter
19
competition
Win a one-night break and dinner plus annual passport tickets
to the Ironbridge Gorge Museums in Shropshire
Now beautifully tranquil, 300 years ago the Ironbridge Gorge was
the place where world-changing events occurred and the area
became known as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Every
year, hundreds of thousands of people visit the 10 award-winning
Ironbridge Gorge Museums set within the Ironbridge Gorge
World Heritage Site. The Site includes Blists Hill Victorian Town – a
recreation of a late nineteenth century mining town, the interactive
Design and Technology centre – Enginuity, plus the Coalport China
Museum and the Jackfield Tile Museum with its beautiful new John
Scott Gallery. For more information, go to www.ironbridge.org.uk.
Visitors can experience a variety of events and sights at the
museums, such as spectacular live iron-rolling demonstrations, the
furnaces where the Iron Bridge was cast, walking around inside
the bottle kilns where world-famous Coalport China was made,
stepping into a tar tunnel that oozes with natural bitumen, dressing
up in period costume and taking part in a Victorian school lesson
or seeing decorative tiles produced at the once world-renowned
Jackfield Tile Museum.
The Ironbridge Gorge
The museums have teamed up with one of Shropshire’s finest country house hotels to offer you the chance to win a Sunday night dinner,
bed and breakfast stay for two, plus two 12-month annual passport tickets to the Ironbridge Gorge Museums. Set on the banks of the River
Severn, the Valley Hotel is a stunning Georgian listed building with a two AA rosette award-winning restaurant. For more information, go to
www.thevalleyhotel.co.uk.
To enter the competition, simply answer the question below.
Question - In which county is Ironbridge situated?
Please send your answer with your name, address, telephone number and email address (if you have one) to: competition@ironbridge.org.uk
or you can send it by post to: BP Competition, The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, Coalbrookdale, Telford TF8 7DQ.
All correct entries will be entered into a draw. The deadline for entries is: 5 January 2015.
Terms and conditions:
The prize is valid until 31 October 2015. The Sunday night break is based on two people sharing a double room and is subject to availability.
contact us
If you have a specific question about your own pension, or a query
about PensionLine (https://pensionline.bp.com) please contact:
BP UK Pensions & Benefits, New Square, Bedfont Lakes,
Feltham, Middlesex, TW14 8HA, United Kingdom
If you have a contribution for Newsletter, contact:
Editor: Peter Lay
Communications Manager
BP UK Pensions & Benefits, New Square,
Bedfont Lakes, Feltham, Middlesex,
TW14 8HA, United Kingdom
Email: peter.lay@uk.bp.com
Phone: +44 (0)20 8602 8599
Phone: 0845 602 1063
Email: pensions@bp.com
If you are phoning from outside the UK, the number is:
+44 (0)1932 767730
If you need to fax us, the number is: +44 (0)20 8917 0868
The telephone numbers listed above operate during UK office
hours, which are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
If you would like an audio
version of this newsletter,
please phone the BP UK
Pensions & Benefits team.
Designed by Anthony Hodges Consulting Limited 2014_101504
If you want to raise a general pensions issue, please contact your
Pensioner Liaison Officer (see pages 9 and 12 of the Spring 2014
edition or contact BP UK Pensions & Benefits for details).