March 2016

Your Scheme: intouch a helping hand for life after work …with your pension news

2 Welcome

Keeping you in touch with... 4 our new investment adviser 6 the membership numbers 7 the Summary Funding Statement 2015 10 pension increases 12 your Trustees 14 your tax affairs 15 changes to your benefits 17 our plans to go green 18 your news and social events 27 your pensioner representatives 28 your Scheme contacts

For members of the Taylor Wimpey Pension Scheme Welcome

Welcome to intouch This process has taken most of the last year and it will result in some changes to our – your newsletter for portfolio, including the appointment of new the Taylor Wimpey managers during 2016. As part of this we have reviewed our hedging of interest Pension Scheme. rates and inflation and stepped up our hedging levels with Insight, who manage A key focus for the Trustees for 2015 this on our behalf. has been the investment of the More details about Redington can be found Scheme’s assets and on 1 April 2015, on page 4 and further details of the changes after a thorough selection process, to the Scheme’s investments will be detailed the Trustees appointed Redington Ltd in our Report & Accounts for 2015 and in a as the Scheme’s new investment future edition of intouch. Our Statement of consultant. With Redington’s guidance Investment Principles will also be amended and that of our Actuary, we have in due course to reflect the changes. reviewed our long-term financial goals including an appropriate level of risk and, as a result, amended our long- term investment strategy to match.

2 Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work intouch also includes the Summary Funding The Company continues to announce strong Meanwhile, the Trustees, with the help of Statement for 2015. Since the Trustees financial results and if you wish to read more their advisers make every attempt to ensure completed the Scheme’s most recent Actuarial about this you can access the full year results on that benefits that are transferred out are to Valuation in 2013, UK investment markets have the Taylor Wimpey website by following the link legitimate schemes. experienced a period of significant volatility at: www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/corporate/ I hope you enjoy this edition of intouch and which has led to the deterioration in the funding investor-relations/reporting-centre/2016 as usual we welcome your stories and your level. Although this is disappointing it is not Starting last April and as a result of new comments and, in particular, whether you uncommon to see funding levels fluctuate Government legislation there has been more would like to receive the magazine markedly between valuations. freedom of choice for members of occupational electronically in the future. Because of this the Trustees don’t believe it is pension schemes than ever before. Although appropriate to call for a new valuation of the this has been generally a positive move for many Scheme each time markets and funding levels it has also resulted in an increase in pension change, particularly as the next valuation of the scams. Please be aware that if you are Scheme is due at the end of this year. approached by people offering you choices Anna Edgeworth In the meantime the Trustees will continue to involving your pension benefits which sound Chairman of the Trustees regularly monitor the situation and I am pleased too good to be true then they probably are, and to report that there is an ongoing openness and you may never see your pension savings again. cooperation between the Trustees and the If you are approached you should be very Company on such matters. cautious - see page 16 for further information.

Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work 3 Keeping you intouch with... our new investment adviser

As part of our governance consultant, focused on providing providing them with investment and risk arrangements, we regularly investment advice to pension funds and management advice. We specialise in review our advisers to ensure other long-term savings institutions. helping pension schemes build and implement investment strategies to that they continue to be We asked Redington to introduce achieve their funding objectives and meet themselves, in their own words. right for our scheme. their benefit payments as they fall due. ‘Redington was founded in 2006 as an After a thorough review, the Trustees Our single-minded focus on investment independent investment consultancy firm. decided to appoint Redington Limited consulting allows us to offer conflict-free as investment adviser, from 1 April 2015. We are retained advisers to 25 Defined advice that supports clients’ long-term Redington is an independent investment Benefit pension schemes in the UK, goals and objectives.

56 £300 80 21 Clients Billion Assets Employees Awards Over Under Consulting 9 Years

4 Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work What we have done so far, • Also, we have put in place a dynamic We work alongside the Trustees and the as investment adviser to the de-risking strategy, which sets out how Investment Sub-Committee in areas such Taylor Wimpey Pension Scheme. the Trustees and the Investment as the monitoring and reporting of the Sub-Committee can respond to the Scheme’s funding level and investment • We have put in a place a framework “calls to action” arising from the risk, investment strategy design and to manage investment risk for the framework. The types of action that the manager selection, and also assist in Scheme. The aim of having a framework Committee may take includes divesting the implementation of any changes to that clearly states the Scheme’s from existing investments and investing the strategy.’ objectives and constraints is to provide in new asset classes. a clear context for investment strategy decision-making in a disciplined way, such as setting an appropriate risk budget and allocating assets efficiently. Progress against the framework is monitored regularly and action can be taken where the Scheme goes off-track, improving governance resource allocation and timeliness of decision-making. The framework can also be used to test whether new asset allocation ideas help the Scheme to better achieve its goals. 31 December 2014

Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work 5 Membership numbers

At 31 December 2014, there were 9,824 pensioners and 9,421 deferred members – that’s a total of 19,245 members.

By 31 December By 31 December 2015, 2015, there were 9,413 pensioners there were

By 31 December deferred 18,282 2015, there were 8,869 members members in total

6 Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work Highlights from the Summary Funding Statement 2015

Every year we issue a Summary Funding Statement, to tell you Actuarial Valuation 31 December 2013 about the Scheme’s financial position. Here are the highlights. The estimated cost of the benefits: £2,112 million How do you measure the Scheme’s financial position? The assets held in the Scheme: £1,921 million The Scheme Actuary compares the assets held in the Scheme to the estimated cost Shortfall: £191 million of the benefits promised to members and other expenses, both now and in the future. Every three years the Scheme Actuary Another way to look at the Scheme’s financial reviews the Scheme’s financial position, security is to consider the funding level. as part of an Actuarial Valuation. But we This is calculated by dividing the assets also take a snapshot of the position by the estimated cost of the benefits, between valuations. and this was 91% as at 31 December 2013. It is worth noting that the combined shortfall What was the Scheme’s financial of the two previous schemes at their last position at the Actuarial Valuation? valuations was £523 million, so the position The funding position at the date of the most has improved, due mainly to the Company recent Actuarial Valuation is set out here. contributions paid in recent years.

Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work 7 Highlights from the Summary Funding Statement 2015 Cont...

What is the Scheme’s latest Since the actuarial valuation at financial position? 31 December 2013, gilt yields have The next valuation of the Scheme We receive annual updates and quarterly fallen, and remained low. This fall in is due at the end of this year, with updates. The most recent quarterly yields is a result of a significant increase results expected during 2017. update was at 31 December 2015. in the prices of gilts. This price increase If gilt yields continue to remain at You can see the results below. has been driven by the Bank of England’s low levels, it is unlikely that the Quantitative Easing programme and shortfall will have reduced also due to other market concerns significantly by then. As at 31 December 2015 over Euro-denominated bonds.

Funding level: 86% This reduction in gilt yields has increased What are you doing about Shortfall: £330 million the Scheme’s liabilities, i.e. increased the shortfall? the expected cost of providing benefits A plan has been agreed by the to members. However this increase Trustees and the Company. Under in cost has not been matched by a This is a slight improvement over the this plan, the Company paid £33 million corresponding increase in the assets held position at 31 December 2014, the date during the calendar year 2014, and it by the Scheme, and so has lead to an of the latest annual update. At that point, will pay £18 million for each year from increase to the shortfall in the Scheme. the estimated cost of the benefits was 2015 to 2018 to reduce the shortfall. £2,500 million, and the assets stood at This includes £2 million a year to £2,127 million. The funding level was cover Scheme expenses. The 85%, and the shortfall was £373 million. contributions are recorded in the Schedule of Contributions.

8 Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work Although there is a shortfall, all members Where can I find the full Summary The calculations for the who have retired have still received the full Funding Statement? Schedule of Contributions amount of their pension. Members who You will find the full Summary Funding were based on the shortfall of have transferred their entitlement to Statement on the website, along with £191 million revealed at the another approved/registered pension other important Scheme documents such valuation of 31 December 2013. arrangement have had their transfer as the Schedule of Contributions and the value calculated in line with the Annual Report and Accounts. Find out recommendations made by the www.pensionline.org/ As noted above, the shortfall has more at: Scheme Actuary. taylorwimpeynew increased in the two years since then. It is therefore unlikely, all things being Both the Company’s and the Trustees’ equal, that the existing Schedule of intention is that the Scheme will continue Contributions will be sufficient to remove to be funded in a way which will allow it the shortfall by November 2018. It is to provide in full for the benefits of all possible that the shortfall could reduce members of the Scheme. between now and the next valuation, When is the next Actuarial Valuation? which will have an effective date of The next formal Actuarial Valuation You can also request a copy 31 December 2016, as it is very sensitive date is 31 December 2016. of these documents from the to changes in market conditions. However Scheme administrator, Aon Hewitt. if the shortfall has not sufficiently reduced, (See the back cover for the website or even increased further (which is likely to and contact details.) be the case if gilt yields remain low), it may be necessary for the Schedule of Contributions to be reviewed.

Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work 9 Keeping you intouch with...... your pension increases

Once you start to receive your pension, it is reviewed annually and increases are paid in accordance with the rules for each section of the Scheme. Here are the details of the latest increases.

Pension increases in respect of The George Wimpey Staff Pension Scheme The annual pension increase for the George Wimpey section is due on 1 January.

Pensions in payment - the amount of increase The increases that have been applied to your pension on 1 January 2016 were as follows:

Pension built up… Increase percentage

…from pensionable service on or before 5 April 2006 0.8%

…from pensionable service after 5 April 2006 0.8%

You will already have received a letter telling you of your increase.

10 Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work Pensions in payment - other sections

Section Pension increase earned Basis for increase Increase Due date Taylor Woodrow For membership completed pre 3.5% a year or the change in RPI if less 0.8% 1 May 2016 6 April 1997 For membership completed post 5% a year or the change in RPI if less 0.8% 1 May 2016 5 April 1997 Bryant For pensioners who completed In line with the change in the RPI subject 3% 1 April 2016 service pre 19 April 1999 to a minimum increase of 3% a year and a maximum increase of 5% a year

For pensioners who completed 5% a year or the change in RPI if less 0.8% 1 April 2016 service post 18 April 1999 Wainhomes For membership completed pre 4% a year 4% 1 April 2016 6 April 1997 For membership completed post 5% a year or the change in RPI if less 0.8% 1 April 2016 5 April 1997 Wilson Connolly For membership completed pre 3% a year 3% Anniversary of Holdings 6 April 1997 pensioner’s retirement For membership completed post In line with the change in the RPI subject 3% Anniversary of 5 April 1997 to a minimum increase of 3% a year pensioner’s retirement and a maximum increase of 5% a year Prestoplan For membership completed post 5% a year or the change in RPI if less 0.8% Anniversary of 5 April 1997 pensioner’s retirement

We will send you a letter confirming the increase in the month before the increase is due.

Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work 11 Keeping you intouch with...... your Trustees

Anna Edgeworth Richard Barraclough Appointed 7 March 2013 Appointed 1 December 2013 Chairman, Company Nominated Trustee Member Nominated Trustee

Ray Peacock Denis Mac Daid Appointed 7 March 2013 Appointed 7 March 2013 Company Nominated Trustee Member Nominated Trustee

Michael Dore Steve Balmont Appointed 6 August 2014 Appointed 7 March 2013 Company Nominated Trustee Independent Trustee

Paula Alliband Robert Matthews Appointed 1 December 2013 Appointed 7 March 2013 Member Nominated Trustee Independent Trustee

12 Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work

...a change to our policy

The three Member Nominated However, the number of members who Trustees are chosen according are employed by the company is reducing, to the Trustees’ policy. and so the Trustee has altered the policy. From 25 June 2015, anyone who is a 1 One position must be held by a member of the Scheme is eligible to

previous member of the George stand for the third position, whether or not Wimpey Staff Pension Scheme. they are employed by the Company. 2 One position must be held by a The change also means that Member

previous member of the Taylor Nominated Trustees no longer have to Woodrow Group Pension & Life resign from the position if they leave the Assurance Fund. Company during their term of office as Trustee. 3 The remaining position could be held

by a previous member of either of the ex-schemes, but they had to be a Remember: that member in this current employee of the Company. context means an active, deferred or pensioner member. It does not include spouses, civil partners or other dependants.

Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work 13 Keeping you intouch with...... your tax affairs

Some of you may have to deducted from it by the scheme. It then complete a Self Assessment shows you the total pay/pension you Finally, please note that HMRC tax return for Her Majesty’s received during the year and the total tax have withdrawn all their 0845 deducted. It is this figure that you should Revenue and Customs (HMRC). helpline numbers. If you need to use if you have to complete a tax return. phone HMRC, the number you As you know, the Scheme need to call, from inside the UK, administrator sends you a Although the deadline for submission of returns for the tax year 2014-2015 has is 0300 200 3310. If you are calling P60 every year, showing your passed, you may like to bear these points from outside the UK, you should pension payments and the tax in mind when you come to fill in your tax dial +44 161 931 9070. you paid the previous year. return for the 2015-2016 tax year. You will need your P60 if you have to compete a self-assessment form. If you lose it, you can visit the Scheme website at www.pensionline.org/taylorwimpeynew and once you log on you can view both your P60 and your payslips. If you have misplaced your login details, contact the Scheme administrator. (See back cover for contact details.) Your P60 shows the amount of tax that you have paid on your pension. It shows the pension paid by us, and the tax

14 Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work Keeping you intouch with... …changes to your benefits

A new State Pension Topping up your Get your free State from April 2016. State Pension. Pension Statement. The introduction of the new single-tier We noted in the last intouch that if If you are over 55 and planning your State Pension is almost upon us. you are due to reach State Pension age retirement, remember to take account of From 6 April 2016, the current two-tier before 6 April 2016, you have the chance your State Pension. To know how much you State Pension, made up of the Basic State to top up your State Pension by paying might get, you can obtain a free statement, Pension and the Second State Pension voluntary national insurance contributions issued by the Government, which will tell you (S2P), will be replaced by a single-tier State (Class 3A Contributions). You can find out how much State Pension you are expected Pension, amounting to around £155 a week. more information, together with a calculator to receive at your State Pension age, and it to help you work out the contribution you is based on your actual National Insurance This change does not affect you if you can pay, by visiting www.gov.uk/state- record. You can find out more by visiting already receive the State Pension, or will pension-topup. This opportunity ends www.gov.uk/state-pension-statement. start to receive it before 6 April 2016. in 5 April 2017. You will continue to be paid under the If you are under 55, you can get an estimate current two-tier system. ofof how mmuch Basic State Pension you might receive byb using the Government’s state To find out more about the neww StateState ppensionension calculator, which you can find Pension, go to www.gov.uk/newnew www.www.gov.uk/calculate-state-pensiongo . -state-pension/overview. HHoweveroweve this calculator only provides you wiwithth an estimatee and we expect it will be updateupdatedd when the new State Pension is iinn place.place.

Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work 15 Keeping you intouch with... …changes to your benefits

‘Freedom and Choice’ are here. irreversible, and the differences between defined benefit and defined contribution Last April saw the introduction of ‘Freedom schemes are complicated, the Government and Choice’ – a set of new options for now insists that anyone looking to transfer those coming up to retirement with benefits a value of £30,000 or more from a defined Pension scammers - in a defined contribution scheme, like the benefit scheme to a defined contribution watch out for the Taylor Wimpey Personal Choice Plan. scheme has to show that they have The key new option was the freedom to sting in the tail sought appropriate financial advice. take as much of the value of the pension savings as cash, rather than having to take An unfortunate side effecteffect ofof ‘Freedom‘Freedom some of it in the form of a pension for life. and Choice’ has beenen the rise in the There has been much coverage in the number of scammersrs attemptingattempting to newspapers and on television about this cheat people out of theirtheir pensionpension savings.savings. new freedom, but it is worth remembering Please take care if youou are approachedapproached that it only affects people with benefits in by someone, especiallyally out ofof thethe blueblue a defined contribution scheme – our over the phone, text or at your doorstep,doorstep, scheme, the Taylor Wimpey Pension who claims to be ableble to helphelp you Scheme, is a defined benefit scheme. liberate your pension.n. InIn most cases the offer is false, andd victimsvictims As a member of a defined benefit scheme, lose most, if not all of theirtheir you can only take advantage of the options savings. Visit www.pension-pension- introduced under ‘Freedom and Choice’ scams.com to find by transferring to a defined contribution out more. scheme. Because such a decision is

16 Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work Keeping you intouch with... …our plans to go green

In the last intouch, we For example, Age UK provides The online version has two major mentioned the relaunch IT/Computer training in their branches. advantages – you can click on the links to of our website. Your local library should be able to help other websites to be taken directly to that you find a nearby course to give you the site, and you can choose to increase the Having the website helps us keep in touch training you need. size of the text, if you need to. in a more environmentally friendly way. In the wider world, it is now increasingly If you would prefer to read your copy online, You can view the personal information that common to give people the option of email [email protected] our administrators hold about you, and there receiving online versions of magazines, Please put ‘Going Green’ in the subject of is a library in which you can find various rather than the printed version, and the email, and remember to include your full Scheme documents, including intouch. many pension schemes have taken this name, date of birth and membership number. If you haven’t visited the website yet, approach too. we encourage you to do so. Go to As part of our efforts to be more www.pensionline.org/taylorwimpeynew Don’t worry – we will continue to environmentally friendly, we would like print and post copies to those As we look to the future, we would like to you to let us know if you would be of you who, for whatever reason, know if you are willing to be contacted by happy to read your copy of intouch online, want the magazine delivered to email when necessary. If you are, please through the website (www.pensionline.org/ your letterbox. log on to the website and add your email taylorwimpeynew), rather than receiving address to the My Details screen. a printed copy through the post. If you find going online difficult, there are a number of free schemes that might be able to help.

Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work 17 Gerry (front row, 3rd from left) Keeping you intouch with... and Anna, our Chairman, with the Manchester Pensioners Club in 1994. …your news and social events

A message saddened to learn of the sudden death from the editor, of Gerry Cunningham, our long-serving Angela Booth. representative for the Manchester region. He died in November, at the age of 85. Many thanks to all of Over the years, Gerry could always be you who have taken the relied upon for sending in reports of the time to share your news numerous activities the Manchester Group – we had a bumper were involved in. His final two reports are They married in 1955 and celebrated their postbag last year. included in this issue. 60th wedding anniversary last March. Here in the Pension Team we love hearing what you’ve been We start this section Promoted to foreman joiner, he then applied up to, so please do continue to get in touch with a tribute to Gerry. and succeeded in winning an apprenticeship and tell us about any events you may have as a draughtsman, and finally took night coming up or news you have to share. classes to qualify as a structural engineer. Gerry Cunningham At this point he joined Wimpey, where he – a life well lived. took on a training position recruiting and You can contact me via the Gerry was born into humble surroundings in guiding young tradesmen and professionals Pension Team – our details South Hilton near Sunderland. Determined in their careers, and worked his way up are on the back cover. to better himself, he worked hard at school through to a senior role. and beyond to win an apprenticeship in a Some of the people he helped eventually local joiner’s shop. But even as a lad, he became Main Board Directors at As we were preparing intouch, and liked to work hard and play hard, and met Wimpey’s - an achievement of which compiling your news stories, we were his wife, Peg, at a local dance. Gerry was immensely proud.

18 Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work Gerry as Father Xmas, doing his bit for the Lions

Gerry and Peggy

Outside of Wimpey, he took on the running He became General Manager and management of a local football team, in the mid-eighties, and then, Gerry is survived by his wife, Peggy, his FC Kingsfield. Gerry and his fellow coach ran as Chairman of Wimpey two children, Geoff and Lynda, and his six several sides for a number of years, winning Homes Holdings, he became a Board grandchildren. Our sympathies go out to the occasional silverware and thoroughly member of George Wimpey & Co, with them all. enjoying watching the development of responsibility for Private Development. some talented young footballers. Known for his short fuse when dealing We were also saddened to learn of the Gerry eventually retired from his beloved with anyone who didn’t perform to his death of Nelson Oliver, a key figure in the Wimpey some years ago but remained in required standards, such tirades were development of Wimpey during the 1980s, close contact, helping and then running the never personal – they were always related who retired as Chairman of Wimpey local contingent of the Wimpey Pensioners’ to product or workmanship, and reflected Homes Holdings in 1992. Clifford Gill was Club. An ardent supporter of his local Lions his drive and enthusiasm to get things Managing Director at the time, and had Club, he spent many years helping them right. In short, he was a character, the worked with Nelson for many years. He in their charitable work. The Lions also likes of which we may never see again. kindly sent in some memories of Nelson. spawned Gerry’s involvement in Even today, after 24 years of retirement, local causes. he is asked after by those he worked with – not only ex-colleagues, but also sub- Despite being diagnosed with a heart Nelson Oliver (RNO) 1934-2015 contractors and local authority members. condition in 2000 and having a major Nelson Oliver, known to all as RNO, joined operation, Gerry continued to live life to the Wimpey in October 1960, as a Sub Following a short illness, he passed away full. He remained incredibly active and, as Agent. Coming from a background in peacefully at home in Essex. He is you will see, was a committed pensioner mining and oil exploration, RNO rose survived by his wife, Ena, and son, Gary. representative right up to his death. swiftly through the Wimpey ranks. Our thoughts go out to them.

Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work 19 The Taylor Woodrow Reunion Club newsletter

Over the last seven years or so, The next newsletter will be published in We built that! the Taylor Woodrow Reunion club June 2016. Please send any content for has issued a quarterly newsletter, the newsletter to Roger at roger.blundell Revisiting the flagship Bishops @gmail.com, by the end of April. edited by Roger Blundell. Wharfe, York Development. Meanwhile, try this challenge from the Bernard Grubb, who is pensioner rep for The newsletter had sustained a high level summer 2015 newsletter – name the team Leeds and who keeps us up to date with of participation from members of the club, members present (apart from Frank Taylor) the reunions in the regions, was Senior and the contents had covered a range of in this photo. It was taken in the 1930s and Site Manager for Wimpey. Among the diverse subjects, reflecting the variety of is the original TW Southall Team outside the many projects he oversaw, perhaps activities members follow in their lives offices in Adrianne Avenue. Let Roger know the one he is most proud of is the beyond Taylor Woodrow. Sadly, last year’s who you think they are. multi award-winning Bishops Wharfe summer edition was smaller than usual,al, development in York. In April last year, as content from the members was 27 years after its completion, Bernard not forthcoming. As noted in that revisited the site with his daughter, Julie, edition, the club committee had and granddaughter, Emily. therefore decided for the time being, at least, to revert to Julie wrote to tell us about the visit and an annual newsletter, to be sent sent us these photos. She noted that out in June each year, at the same of all the awards the site won, Bernard time as the invitation to the annual was most pleased to win the top NHBC club lunch. award for North East England. Both Julie and Emily are very proud of Bernard – Emily remarked that she has a very clever granddad!

20 Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work Taylor Woodrow Reunion Club Lunch – 2 October 2015

The aims of the 25 Club, Apologies were received founded by Frank Taylor, from over seventy members were ‘to promote good who had expressed an interest in the lunch, and fellowship and maintain the who wanted to stay on our growth of team spirit, and to mailing list. ensure contact is kept with The Chairman, Brian Moere team members. welcomed the members and conveyed He said how It seems, from Roger Blundell’s report greetings from Colin Parsons in Canada heart-warming of the event, that the spirit of the club and regrets from Derek Piper who normally it was to see has been kept alive and well within travels from Cyprus but was prevented by the TW spirit in the Taylor Woodrow Reunion Club. illness from doing so this year. We wish abundance withinn the membership. membership The photos were supplied by Brian Lloyd. Derek well. Brian also thanked the Taywood Further, he encouraged members to pass Engineering team for sponsoring the wine on any ideas for attracting new members.’ ‘125 club members attended this year’s and Brian Lloyd acted as toastmaster. lunch (the fourteenth) at the Crown Plaza Reading, Berkshire. The numbers were John McKenna, as club President, Next year’s lunch is on Thursday slightly down on last year but we were thanked all for attending, and welcomed 6 October, 2016. To be there, pleased to see some new faces, with the Angela Booth from the pensions get in touch with Brian Moere, majority of attendees being ex-25 Club department. He also thanked the club email: [email protected] members who have supported us since committee for organizing the lunch and Tel: 01923 828 935 or Brian Lloyd, we started the TW Reunion Club. the hotel for their co-operation. email: brianlloyd@redwood32. freeserve.co.uk Tel: 01628 661 005

Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work 21 Wimpey Pensioners Gatherings in the Yorkshire and Humber, and the North East region…2015

Bernard Grubb, pensioner A highlight for many is the Christmas lunch. Many thanks to Taylor Wimpey for their representative, Leeds, reports. The 2014 lunch saw an impressive turnout continuing support, which makes these of 75 colleagues from across Yorkshire important and memorable events possible. ‘Following on the footsteps of four and the North East. The 2015 lunch, We all went home feeling very full, after being successful gatherings in 2014 – the ever held on 2 December, saw 55 of us return thoroughly looked after by the catering staff. popular lunch at Murgatroyds famous to Cookridge Hall County Club for an We are already looking forward to this fish and chip emporium in Yeadon, and excellent three-course meal. It was year’s Christmas lunch, which is booked for three lunchtime events at the Horsforth Golf accompanied by lively conversation 7 December at the Cookridge Hall Country Club – this group of Wimpey Pensioners and friendly banter, as friendships were Club. Hold that date.’ has not been resting on their laurels. renewed with former colleagues. For more information about this Back in April 2015, a small party travelled Unfortunately operations on the day and pensioner group, contact Bernard at to Middlesbrough to join colleagues at the illness meant the numbers were down on [email protected] Claireville Hotel near Yarm (Stockton-on- last year. However, we were lucky enough Tees), and on 22 April 45 colleagues to have the company of Paul Garrison, gathered for a very successful lunch at from the Taylor Wimpey Pensions Team, Cookridge Hall Country Club, a new venue who gave us a short talk on all the latest for the group and one that did them proud. Pension news.

Left to right Left to right Liam Thompson, Eric Barke, Nick & Rita Horne, Joan Sedgewick, Jenny Gannon, Carol & Mick Durran, Joan’s Daughter Nancy Elwood

22 Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work Wimpey pensioners, Manchester, …Summer break

Back in the summer, the Manchester After the barbeque Christine Lomas gave Left to right group went on their annual break. a fine performance of ‘Albert and the Lion’ They wrote to tell us all about it at monologue in memory of Harvy Blood, Paul Garrison, Dave Lomas, the time. one of our pensioners who died in 2014. Stuart Longworth, David Wilson, Donna Bibbey, Tony Wright, ‘The Gibbon Bridge Hotel, Chipping, in the Dave and Christine Lomas organised the Peter Barker, Geoff Antrobus, Trough of Bowland, was the venue for our trip, and did a great job.’ Bill Lowry, Malcolm Howard, annual summer break, which took place Peter Jones, Bob Williamson in the middle of July. On the first day, we Front to back & Peter Reaney met at the pub, The Derby Arms, Hesketh Peggy Cunningham, Marta Wilson, Lane, for lunch, and then continued to the Gibbon Bridge Hotel for our two-night stay. Helen Bickerton, Christine Lomas, Christmas lunch The next day, refreshed by a good night’s Anne Howard, Dave Wilson, The Manchester Group held sleep, we walked to Dunsop Bridge and Gerry Cunningham, Malcom Howard, their Christmas lunch on had lunch at the Whitewell Inn, a very Dave Lomas, Hector Bickerton 9 December, at the Didsbury famous pub in the area. Golf Club, Manchester. On our second and final night we were It was the last Wimpey event Gerry invited to have a barbeque in the owner’s organised before he died, and it went private garden, which was excellent. ahead at the request of his widow, Everybody said it was the best barbeque Peggy. Understandably, Peggy herself they had ever had! did not go. Paul Garrison attended on behalf of the Pensions Team.

Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work 23 Our time at the I’m the one ‘with the Devil’s Cauldron bald head’ Left to right Dave Mather, Peter Harrison, Charles Melvin David Mather also took the time Taylor Woodrow to tell us about an exciting holiday Construction he had in Southern Africa. foot deep, where the river entered on one ‘Since I retired from Taylor Woodrow side over waterfall about two foot high and reunion lunch Construction, my wife and I have travelled on the other cascaded over the edge of the far and wide, enjoying many exciting trips. David Mather reports. falls to the river below. Under our guide’s But by far the most exciting was to instructions, we jumped into the pool and ‘Over forty ex-colleagues and friends Victoria Falls, Zambia. floated up to the very edge of the falls from Taylor Woodrow Construction, The highlight, was a motor-powered canoe – a rocky wall just a couple of feet wide over Midlands, attended the twelfth annual trip to the Devil’s Cauldron on the very edge which the water cascaded some three reunion lunch on the 9 April 2015. of ‘the smoke that thunders’, as the falls are hundred and sixty feet below. Moved from Derby to Stafford, where known locally. We landed on the small, the Post House Restaurant played host, From this wall, we could observe the scene grassy Livingstone Island in the middle of the lunch proved to be the most below. It was awe-inspiring as were our the river - Livingstone, used to spend time successful event ever. The hotel will be guides, who were walking along the edge there contemplating the mysteries of Africa. the venue for this year’s lunch too, which of this wall taking photos! Posing for the Now, as revealed by great dumps of dung, will be held on 13 April 2016.’ cameras I could feel the strong flow of the the island is a stopping-off point for a herd water trying to lift my legs and topple me If you want to get in contact with of elephants, which regularly swim there over the top! (I later discovered they lose ex-colleagues, and attend the from nearby Zimbabwe. on average a tourist a year when the annual lunch, please email A group of us braved the water to swim to river surges unexpectedly!) It was a [email protected] a nearby rocky outcrop. In front of us lay a thoroughly inspiring day, and one I will or phone 01785 227101. pool about twenty foot in diameter and ten always remember.’

24 Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work Wimpey Golfing Society …Smith retains the Wimpey Challenge Trophy

Mike Wood reports. This year we will be meeting at Maidenhead GC in September, thanks to Dick Dean.’ Brian Dempster, Mel Winnard ‘The society held its 2015 meeting at (standing),Tony Corner Badgemore Park near Henley last For more information, please contact Mike and Alan Sorell September. The weather was lovely (e-mail [email protected], Jane noted that ‘it was nice to see and the course was in superb condition. or call 01189 403816). everyone and catch up on their news.’ Terry Smith proved too much for the Also on Facebook you can see more older generation and retained the photos of the Liverpool group’s third Challenge Trophy. However, only one annual reunion meal, posted by point behind was Dave Barks who won Wal Effingham and Keith Hastie. Held at the Magnus Trophy, which is played for The Monro Gastropub in Liverpool this by an ever increasing field of over 70s. January, Wal commented that ‘it was an Peter Donoghue was a worthy winner Remember... excellent evening with much reminiscing’. of the Donald MacPherson Quaich. To find out about next year’s event, Over an excellent lunch, the players We are on Facebook. Look for the George contact Wal. His details are on page 27, and guests reminisced, and compared Wimpey In Touch Group - it’s open to all. or you can reach him through the respective hip, knee and various joint Jane Bush has posted photos from the Facebook group. operations. The society membership spans October get-together of the Wimpey a fairly wide age range. However we like Pensioners Middlesborough Group. to encourage the younger generation and The event was held on 2 October at would welcome more into our ranks – the Claireville Hotel, Stockton-on-Tees. membership is now open to all members of the Taylor Wimpey Pension Scheme. Left to right Charlie Cave, Mary Howard, Wal Effingham

Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work 25 Manchester Scottish Region Pensioner’s Club

annual lunch... Following the sad death of Gerry Cunningham, we regret to announce that the Manchester Pensioners Club is closing. George Sneddon reports back As always, everyone enjoyed the day, Stuart Longworth, the club’s treasurer, told us: for us. and the opportunity to catch up with old friends, as you can see from the picture, ‘0[^HZHKPѝJ\S[KLJPZPVU[V[HRLI\[HZ ‘The Scottish Region held their annual lunch which includes Jim Brown, John Weir, [OLH[[LUKHUJLH[TLL[PUNZ^HZPUKLJSPUL on 22 October 2015, at Cadder Freestone, Ian McCallum, John Williams and HUKUVIVK`MLS[[OH[[OL`JV\SK[HRLVU Bishopbriggs. As regional representative, David Donnett.’ .LYY`»ZYVSLHZ:LJYL[HY`0[^HZMLS[[OH[ I was pleased to welcome over 40 members [OPUNZJV\SKUV[JVU[PU\L to the lunch, andd to pass on the good wishes of the Chairman.. >L^PZO[V[OHUR[OL;Y\Z[LLZHUK[OL 7LUZPVU;LHTMVY[OLOLSWHUKZ\WWVY[ VќLYLK[V[OL*S\IV]LY[OL`LHYZ’

We wish the members well and would like to pass on an offer from Wal Effingham from the Liverpool group. Anyone who wants to join up with them for future reunions will be made very welcome. Email Wal and he will add you to the group’s mailing list.

Stop Press

The next meeting of the Maidstone group will be in Staines on 16 April. For more details contact Gordon Whitbread. You will find his contact details on page 27.

26 Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work Keeping you intouch with...

...your Pensioner representatives.

If you’re a former member of the George Wimpey Scheme, you may be aware of the network of pensioner representatives. This is a voluntary network of former members who organise the lunches and help people stay in touch.

Current GWSPS Pensioner Representatives Name Telephone No Email address Region

Terry Coles 01793 977855 or 07748 765407 [email protected] Gloucs, Oxon, Wilts, Avon & Somerset

John Edmonds 01752 701477 [email protected] Plymouth

Wal Effingham 07815 315378 wal@effingham.org.uk Liverpool

Keith Glanville 029 2025 4227 or 07966 563310 [email protected] Cardiff

Bernard Grubb 0113 2583408 [email protected] Leeds

John McGuire 00353 91591 639 Ireland

Patricia Mosney 01489 781266 or 07929 713699 [email protected] Southampton

Deryck Perry 01206 323951 Witham

George Sneddon 01436 675270 [email protected] Scotland

Gordon Whitbread 01634 862162 [email protected] Maidstone

Ian White 01772 816841 [email protected] Liverpool, Cumbria & North Wales

Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work 27 Keeping intouch...

If you have queries about the Scheme, your pension benefits, or need to update your address or Expression of Wish form please contact Aon Hewitt, the Scheme administrator:

Taylor Wimpey Pension Scheme (TWPS) Your tax office and contact details are as follows: Aon Hewitt Scanning Division HMRC, PO Box 1970 PO Box 196 Liverpool L75 1WX Huddersfield HD8 1EG Tel: 0300 200 3300 (reduced rate) The Tax Reference is 120/XA89893 Email: [email protected] Telephone helpline: 0800 055 6012 To share your news or advertise your event through the Keeping in touch section contact: Open 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday The Pension Team (except for bank holidays) Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd Calls from overseas: +44 1442 205294 Unit 2 Tournament Court Website: www.pensionline.org/taylorwimpeynew Edgehill Drive, Warwick CV34 6LG Tel: 01926 516985 Email: [email protected]

28 Your Scheme: a helping hand for life after work