Wishing all our members & friends a very Merry Christmas and good wishes for 2014

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1 An association for all former employees of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines UK & Ireland or any subsidiary, whether still working or retired. To promote and maintain contact with friends and colleagues past and present. MEMBERS NEWSLETTER Volume : 28 Issue: 4 - November 2013 Wishing all our members & friends a very Merry Christmas and good wishes for 2014 Est: 1985 KLM-BA Merger Exclusive To RAUKI see page 4 CHRISTMAS LUNCH - WEDNESDAY 04 DECEMBER WINCHESTER CHRISTMAS MARKET - WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER

2 CONTENTS Page 2: News Page 3: Travel Desk Page 4-5: Association News CONGRATULATIONS KLM - 94 years old - 07 October 2013 Today is a very special day: KLM is 94 years old! A fantastic age. And I say this with a deep sense of pride and I know that everyone at KLM feels the same. Our blue KLM heart has been beating for 94 years. This afternoon we are celebrating our birthday in our traditional way by presenting the latest Delftware house. This year the presentation is on the island of Texel. Once again we are all excited to see which unique building is being added to the collection. KLM is not alone in celebrating an anniversary. Our French colleagues are marking the 80th birthday of Air France. Camiel Eurlings: Page 6 Christmas Lunch Menu ATTACHMENTS Christmas Lunch Booking form 2014 Subscription Form Meetings & Events Newsletter Issue: 4 November Committee Mtg: 20 November Winchester Xmas Market trip Wed 27 November Christmas Lunch: Wednesday 04 December All meetings at: Bird Hills Golf Centre, Drift Road, Hawthorn Hill, Nr Maidenhead, SL6 3ST tel: The opening flight of the From Holland festival departed for Curaçao October 01 in style. A genuine old-time Dutch barrel organ played a merry tune as passengers boarded the flight for a truly Dutch Experience, including meals produced from ingredients sourced locally, Dutch entertainment and typically Dutch Delftware proverbs.in October and November, KLM will, for the fourth time, celebrate its From Holland festival on all intercontinental flights. KLM will celebrate the From Holland theme again this year, because our passengers enjoy the typical Dutch character of this festival, said KLM President & CEO Camiel Eurlings. The World Business Class meals were created by leading chef Onno Kokmeijer of the Amsterdam restaurant Ciel Bleu, which holds two Michelin stars. The meals served during the festival will be made using all sorts of products sourced from local suppliers. Passengers will enjoy beef supplied by De Vrije Koe (the Free Cow) as well as MSC-certified North-Sea sole. But the menu also includes traditional Dutch stamppot mash, Bossche bollen confectionery and chocolate sprinkles. Dutch snacks like krokets will also be served again in World Business Class (WBC). KLM will be the first Dutch airline to sell fresh cut flowers on board. The orange roses will be supplied by Frederique s Choice, a company founded by one of the Netherlands first top models Frederique van der Wal. Frederique visited the Crew Centre yesterday to dish out the first roses to the crew. She also handed out KLM roses to tourists in the centre of Amsterdam. During the festival, all serviettes, headrest covers, coffee cups and even a retro peppermint tin for WBC passengers will be decorated with typical Dutch proverbs in Delftware style. The placemats will be decorated with images of paintings produced by Dutch Masters and passengers will be able to enjoy Dutch films and music. The Holland Herald will also be joining in the festivities with The Dutch issue KLM honoured its longstanding tradition of presenting a new Delftware miniature house on its anniversary on 7 October. The latest addition to the series is the Oudheidkamer Museum in Den Burg on the island of Texel. The first copy of house No. 94 was presented to the mayor of Texel, Francine Giskes on Monday. KLM has enjoyed a special bond with the island of Texel since the 1930s. From 1 July 1937 until 22 August 1939, KLM operated a scheduled service between Schiphol and Texel Airport. By choosing the Oudheidkamer as its 94 th Delftware miniature, KLM reaffirms its ties with the island. The Oudheidkamer was built as a poorhouse in 1599, providing shelter and support for those in need. People who were temporarily homeless or strangers to the island were allowed to stay in the house free of charge for three nights. The house was later used as a family home until it became a museum in 1954, exhibiting a variety of artworks and historical objects, most of which date from the 19 th century. Volume: 28 Issue: 4 - November page 2

3 Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market Travel Desk Such a great response for the Blenheim Palace trip, we decided to give do a Christmas Market Coach dep: Iver Heath (Stag & Hounds) Old Windsor (Day Centre) Fleet (Harvester) Coach Drop Off & Pick Up Cathedral Entry & 1 hour guided tour 5.50 please let me know and include additional payment on booking. Tour will be scheduled for 2.00pm Town centre Coach Drop Off & Pick Up Christmas Market The Coach drops off & pick up point is in The Broadway a short 5 minute easy & well signposted walk through the town to the Cathedral. The Christmas Market, inspired by traditional German Christmas markets, are pretty wooden chalets, situated in the Cathedral s historic Inner Close surrounding an open-air real ice rink. There s plenty of choice when it comes to food and drink at the Christmas Market. You ll find chalets selling festive favourites such as, mulled wine, bratwurst, mince pies and stollen. Alternatively, the Cathedral Refectory and ice rink café provide a warm and comfortable setting with plenty of seating and great menus. Plus Town centre facilities. Please book using the attached form or by contacting Glenys at travel@klm-rauk.co.uk Volume: 28 Issue: 4 - November page 3

4 Your Committee Chairman Mike Goodyear Vice-Chairman John Long Secretary In Memoriam Vernon (Joe) Crooks,. 27 July age 96. Former Duty Station Manager. Betty Robertson, 10 August. Former Personal Assistant to the General manager. Treasurer Allan Roberts Travel Desk Glenys Jones Our Exclusive KLM-BA merger story Harry Siddall (BA) & Kathy Lowes (KLM) married 17 August Pension Trustee David Barnes ISA Queries Les Drake HR Liaison John Gidlow Social Contact John Connolly Vera Engels Simon Aartsen Irene McKeeman Kathy Lowes Gillian Frackelton welcome.htm Webmaster/editor John Long Social Contact Don t forget that John Connolly has volunteered to be available to any member who may fall ill, encounter problems, feel life is ganging up on them or just simply want to talk to someone. Contact him at either; jc@klm-rauk.co.uk Volume: 28 Issue: 4 - November page 4

5 Blenheim Palace Trip Autumn Meeting - 25 September members and friends enjoyed a beautiful Sunny day out in Blenheim Palace and the surrounding Gardens. The group was split into two for a grand guided tour of the lower floor and rooms including that in which Sir Winston Churchill was born. After the tour the group were free to venture where they wanted and to have a relaxed lunch before returning to the coach for pleasant traffic free journey home. See page 3 for details of a November Christmas market Trip. 23 members gathered for the meeting at Bird Hills. Unfortunately Eric Roshier could not attend after a heart bypass surgery nor Stan Smith who was undergoing some tests. We wish them both a speedy recovery and hope to see them at Christmas Lunch. The meeting followed the usual format of discussions regarding finances, travel etc. Glenys Jones was congratulated on two very successful day trips. On the subject of ISA travel, members are reminded that they have to register with staff Travel in order to receive access codes to MyKLM website which is where travel plans and ticket requests are made. Further to this subject members are asked to advise the Chairman if they are experiencing delays in this procedure. The Chairman, Mike Goodyear and Vice Chair, John Long have had a meeting with their Air France counterparts and are requesting to meet the new UK Manager for AF/KL, Walter Rootliep who has taken over from Henri Hourcade. It would appear that the position will alternate between AF & KL staff. The website is still proving popular with many people accessing photos and newsletters (all personal data is removed from website editions) Over the 10 year period that it will have been running (in Oct 2015) the total cost will be 131 per year. It is possible to be precise with this amount because most costs are for 2 year contracts on services. Lunch at this Autumns meeting was not served from the Hot counter. Members chose their meal from a list of choices at the beginning of the meeting. It proved to be a good method as we all sat down and ate at the same time. The subject of slow service at last Christmas s lunch was raised with Bird Hills, they apologised and said it was due to another lunch booking at the same time. We have arranged to make sure this won t happen this year. Christmas Lunch is remaining at 15 pp for the third year running which represents great value. There will be a free raffle and prize donations will be accepted. Invitations will be sent to the new UG (as will a request for tickets) and Amanda from Staff Travel. Members are again reminded that if they would like to attend the Lunch but don t drive, etc. PLEASE ASK and we will try to arrange a lift with someone from a convenient location. Menu & booking form included in this issue. Charity donations this year were agreed to go to, Age Concern, Macmillan Nurses & Alzheimer s and an additional payment as per Betty Robertson s wishes, to the Stroke Association. John Connolly wished to remind all members he was on the end of the phone line in total confidence, if anyone felt the need for a chat. Volume: 28 Issue: 4 - November page 5

6 CHRISTMAS LUNCH WEDNESDAY 04 DECEMBER 2013 From 10:30 - Lunch served 12:45 MENU STARTER 1. Homemade Cream of Vegetable Soup 2. Chicken Liver Pate Served with toast 7 red onion chutney 3. Creamy Mushrooms Sliced flat mushrooms in a green peppercorn sauce topped with stilton cheese served on toast MAIN COURSE 1. Roast Beef Served with Yorkshire pudding 2. Roast Turkey Served with sage & onion stuffing and bacon wrapped sausage 3. Poached Salmon Served with a green herb and mustard sauce 4. Goats Cheese & Sun Dried Tomato Tart Served on a bed of rocket salad and drizzled with balsamic dressing Aide memoir All main courses are offered with fresh seasonal vegetables, roast and new potatoes with tasty sauces and gravies. DESSERT 1. Christmas Pudding served with brandy sauce or cream 2. Seasonal Cheesecake served with cream 3. Seasonal Gateaux served with cream 4. Fresh fruit salad COFFEE Members + spouse/partner or 1 Guest - 15 pp Additional Guests - 17 pp Volume: 28 Issue: 4 - November page 6