Welcome to the AXA Provincial Pensioners Association website ...

The AGM of the pensioners association was held in Kendal on Thursday 3rd September and the minutes, slides and report from myself are all uploaded to the website under “News”

We had a good turn out and it is always nice to catch up with ex-colleagues and friends over a coffee.

One of the issues we debated at a meeting after the AGM was the subsidy that we currently provide for the get togethers that are held mainly as lunches throughout the regions.

As you are aware, it is some years since AXA stopped providing a subsidy so the funds have now dwindled down to the point where it will not be possible to provide the same level of subsidy after the events we hold in 2026.  That means the events organised for Liverpool in October and for Bristol, Exeter, Newcastle, Haverhill and Kendal in November and December will continue as planned.

If you recall, the funds were originally provided so that we could help with welfare visits to pensioners who otherwise wouldn’t be able to get out, etc.  However, following on from Covid and with no further involvement from AXA, we felt it was important to gather as many people together at events, which is why we started providing a full subsidy.

The regional representatives are happy to continue to organise events for the future but these will now have to be funded by individuals.  The APPA committee has agreed to continue to serve and help administer what funds are left. The representatives and members who attended the AGM felt the balance of the funds should now be used for the original purpose of looking after the welfare of our members.

On a personal note, I have moved away from Bolton and returned to the northeast after 34 years, buying a property nearer to my two sisters.  Newcastle is where I started work in the 70’s and although I have been away for a long time, I have remained in contact with those youngsters who I used to socialise with.  Alas, even though we are not so young anymore, I am sure we are still capable of having a good time together.

Having sold all my furniture to the people who bought my house, it has been exciting (and expensive) to be able to choose all new things.  Who knew you would have to wait 10 weeks for delivery of a bed and 14 weeks for delivery of a suite!!

As I write this note in September, we are still blessed with sunshine and warm days, thankfully not as warm as we have had but in the evenings you can feel the autumnal chill.  It is frightening to see that the garden centres are starting with their Christmas areas!!

The latest update on the Capita data breach has been uploaded but, in brief, the court case continues and looks like it will be a long affair.  Whilst I am unsure of a positive outcome, Abbleys the solicitors must still consider it worth pursuing.  If anyone has purchased their own protection from companies like Experian, ensure you have proof of your outlay as you will be able to submit this to Abbleys if the case is successful.

Finally, John Lyons, who was our APPA chairman for many years (and is currently our vice chairman), celebrated 60 years of marriage to his wife Gill on the date of the AGM.  We congratulate them and wish them many more happy years together.

For those of you about to embark on a trip (following the children going back to school), have a wonderful time and for everyone else, enjoy the rest of the good weather and stay safe.

I look forward to seeing you at some of the events later this year, although sadly I will be absent from the Bristol event as I am off on a trip to India.

My best wishes to you all

Kindest regards