The newspaper for BBC pensioners – with highlights from Ariel online Match of the Day at 50 Page 9 OCTOBER 2014 • Issue 5 The natural Film at Lime A passion sounds of Bing Grove for piers Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 NEWS • MEMORIES • CLASSIFIEDS • YOUR LETTERS • OBITUARIES • CROSPERO 02 BBC PENSIONS provided calm and pragmatic answers. More delegates became engaged and there followed many further questions covering such issues as production quality (particularly in speech Back to Cardiff programmes), scandals and whistleblowing, digital radio and unpaid licence fees (about BBC Volunteer Visiting Scheme Conference, September 2014 6%, which is low compared to other countries with similar schemes). He may have been preaching to the converted, but Graham reminded us that the licence fee remained great value, particularly if compared with taking a daily newspaper. Following coffee, the next talk was by Lisa Kenny, who gave a wonderful insight into the work of the Red Cross in Wales and the rest of the UK. Many delegates were left surprised by how much work the charity carries out domestically while often being regarded as largely a provider of aid overseas. The Red Cross, which celebrates its centenary this year, works to support independent living for older people in the UK, and its services in Wales have grown by 40% since 2010. The charity provides practical help such as for those returning home from hospital (it is the main provider of short-term wheelchairs in the UK), but its work also stretches into countering the effects of loneliness and isolation, with early intervention becoming a particular focus. The two case stories were truly moving and helped to demonstrate how the Red Cross had helped real people. In the afternoon, the delegates returned to the conference room for a presentation by On 8 and 9 September, 103 BBC pensioner account the effect such closure might have sunshine before dinner was served in the Roger Hatherall of Lansdown Place, BBC- visitors returned to Cardiff for the annual on its residents. conference room. It was a most enjoyable appointed independent financial adviser. The Volunteer Visiting Scheme Conference. The The talk prompted a number of questions evening involving catching up with friends, two-part talk discussed inheritance tax and busy programme was spread over two days, from the floor and was a sound start to stories and laughter. will writing – serious subjects which Roger with delegates hearing talks on subjects the conference. covered with authority and humour, with including adult social care, support for After a break, Sarah Rochira, Older Day Two – practical help anecdotes helping to make this session both independent living, memory and dementia, People’s Commissioner for Wales, took to and support useful and entertaining. inheritance tax and wills, along with a the stage and gave a passionate talk about her The second day began with a presentation by The final session was a talk by Pauline presentation from BBC Pension Scheme role fighting for the rights of older people BBC Pension Scheme Trustee, Graham Ellis, Homeshaw, from the Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Trustee, Graham Ellis. in Wales. With legal powers over the Welsh who gave a very clear and informative talk Airmen’s Families Association (SSAFA). The conference was opened by Cheryl Government, Sarah’s remit touches all aspects about the pension scheme and the Trustee’s Established in 1885, SSAFA provides lifelong Miles, who spoke about the importance of the of growing old in Wales, from the protection role in ensuring it meets its obligations in the support for our forces and their families. Volunteer Visiting Scheme, which was set up of community services, such as buses, green future. Reduction of the deficit and investment SSAFA’s long history, which has enjoyed 20 years ago. Not all BBC pensioners wish to spaces and libraries, to standing up for performance are obvious priorities, but at royal patronage from the start, includes the have visits, but the scheme and the volunteers victims of abuse and tacking discrimination. the same time there is a need to be prudent important and fascinating work it carried are in place should they change their mind. It is Sarah is an ‘independent voice and champion (‘It’s not a casino’). Another key element out during the First World War when it a valuable scheme of which we are very proud. for old people in Wales’ and she came across is the strength of the relationship with the helped to support the families of servicemen as a forceful campaigner, her talk being BBC, which underwrites the Scheme while killed or wounded in the conflict. Today Day One – serious about social received with much enthusiasm, judging by the deficit is being reduced. This led to a the charity also helps families cope with care and not forgetting... the large number of questions that followed. discussion of factors affecting the BBC, such problems as diverse as post-traumatic On the first day, the presentations focused on The final session of the day was a as the licence fee settlement (currently frozen stress disorder (PTSD) and, its largest adult social care. The first speaker was Adrian fascinating talk on memory and dementia by since 2010)and the new BBC charter. caseload, debt. Hughes, Deputy Chief Inspector of the Care psychotherapist Julie Devlin, which began Graham also talked about the ideas The conference was closed by Joy Moore, Quality Commission (CQC) for England. with a brief description of the brain and recently raised by the director-general, Chief Executive Officer of the BBC Pension The role of the CQC is to monitor, inspect how various types of memories are formed Tony Hall, about the possibility of the BBC Scheme, who thanked delegates for attending and report on services including adult social and consolidated. This provided the basis in-house television producers competing and hoped that everyone had received care, the NHS, independent health care, for discussing memory problems, memory more generally in the television programme information that would be useful to them dental services and primary care. Adrian health and dementia. The presentation market with a consequent move away and to the pensioners they visit. explained how the CQC aimed to encourage featured quizzes and plenty of audience from the system of quotas which currently She then thanked Cheryl and the team, not improvement in the quality of services and interaction, leaving delegates amused and underpins in-house television production. just for organising the conference but also that while its regulatory powers could be inspired with ideas for maintaining and This point prompted questions from for all the work they do throughout the year. called upon as necessary, these were balanced improving memory in old age. delegates about programme quality, staff cuts And finally, she thanked the volunteer visitors by the need to protect users. For example, a With the close of the first day, delegates and the effect this might have on the pension without whom the scheme would not decision to close a care home must take into had a chance to enjoy some fresh air and scheme, all fair points to which Graham be possible. Please send your editorial contributions, or comments/feedback, to: Prospero, BBC Pension and Prospero is provided free of charge to retired BBC Benefits Centre, Broadcasting House, Cardiff CF5 2YQ. employees, or to their spouses and dependants. Email: [email protected] Prospero provides a source of news on former Please make sure that any digital pictures you send are colleagues, developments at the BBC and pension scanned at 300 dpi. issues, plus classified adverts. To advertise in Prospero, please see page 12. The next issue of Prospero will appear in December To view Ariel online, please visit www.bbc.co.uk/ariel. 2014. The copy deadline is Friday 31 October 2014. PROSPERO OCTOBER 2014 BBC PENSIONS 03 Our oldest 2014 BBC Pension Scheme Pensioners’ pensioner Liaison Meeting Frank Simes is, at 109, This year’s PLM takes place on Thursday the oldest person 20 November 2014, 11am-1pm, at The Radio Theatre, Broadcasting House, currently receiving a Portland Place, London W1A 1AA. Call the Retired members’ newsletter pension from the BBC pension service line on 029 20 322811 Thank you to all the BBC Club members to book a place. Pension Scheme. Frank who have asked to be sent this newsletter. We have also seen an increase in Prospero was recruited to the Society members, who can continue to get World Service in 1939, a copy posted to them. If you would like to add your email address to our database, being fluent in Turkish, please contact the Club on 0208 752 6666 and retired in 1970. or email [email protected] Lunch for a Fiver at Western House! It is always a pleasure to welcome our retired members to our Western House club. Don’t forget Lunch for a Fiver! This is an offer for retired Club members to have BBCPA on the a two-course lunch, including a hot drink, for £5 – available every Tuesday from 12 noon to 2.30pm. You can pick up your road again complimentary copy of the Radio Times here too. Committee members of the Offers The BBC Club website has loads of offers BBC Pensioners’ Association available for our members, including theatre have planned three meetings ticket deals, gifts, cooking ideas, articles on health and therapies and a lot more. Much during October in Edinburgh, of the content is members only; in order to register you will need a NEW style BBC Brighton and Bristol. Club card which has an 8-digit number on the back starting with 100.