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In October 2015 a group of former British Caledonian Pilots, Flight Engineers and Cabin Crew formed a committee with the object of continuing the annual reunions along the lines of those previously organised by Captain Denis McQuoid and the other BCal Flight Deck Mutual Fund trustees.
The new committee’s intention is to follow the 40+ year tradition of holding the event on the last Friday in September each year. |
The new committee consisted of two of the old Mutual Fund trustees, Captain Eddie Lord and Flight Engineer Laurie Griffiths, as well as Flight Engineers Dick Angel and John Yeomans, Captain Phil Benson and three Cabin Crew: Sarah Thirlby-Smith, Tracey Milton and Sarah Hosford (Sarah Thomlinson in earlier BCal days).
Sadly, Laurie Griffiths passed away not long afterwards in June 2016, then Eddy Lord left the committee in August 2016.
Sarah Thirlby-Smith left the committee in November 2018 but continues to run this website.
John Yeomans died in December 2018 after suffering a severe heart attack.
In February 2019 Tracey Milton stepped down from the committee due to work pressures.
In October 2019 Sarah Thomlinson (now Hosford) decided to stand down from the reunion committee.
We would like to thank Sarah for all her hard work with the organisation of the 2016-19 reunions.
Sarah’s replacement is Jeanette Clark (formerly Jeanette Smith in BCal days).
Karen Strawson (originally Karen Banfield in BCal days) and Angie Marr also joined the committee in October 2019.
In May 2020, after collapsing at home during the first lockdown, Dick Angel passed away in hospital (not from Coronavirus).
The reunion committee now consists of Jeanette Smith/Clark, Phil Benson, Karen Banfield/Strawson, and Angie Marr.
Sadly, Laurie Griffiths passed away not long afterwards in June 2016, then Eddy Lord left the committee in August 2016.
Sarah Thirlby-Smith left the committee in November 2018 but continues to run this website.
John Yeomans died in December 2018 after suffering a severe heart attack.
In February 2019 Tracey Milton stepped down from the committee due to work pressures.
In October 2019 Sarah Thomlinson (now Hosford) decided to stand down from the reunion committee.
We would like to thank Sarah for all her hard work with the organisation of the 2016-19 reunions.
Sarah’s replacement is Jeanette Clark (formerly Jeanette Smith in BCal days).
Karen Strawson (originally Karen Banfield in BCal days) and Angie Marr also joined the committee in October 2019.
In May 2020, after collapsing at home during the first lockdown, Dick Angel passed away in hospital (not from Coronavirus).
The reunion committee now consists of Jeanette Smith/Clark, Phil Benson, Karen Banfield/Strawson, and Angie Marr.
Our aim |
The new organising committee decided in 2015 that future reunions should be officially for former BCal Cabin Crew as well as the Pilots and Flight Engineers that the old Flight Deck Mutual Fund reunions were originally set up for.
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Onwards & upwards |
After organising four successful reunions between 2016 and 2019 we were forced to cancel the 2020 and 2021 reunions because of the pandemic. We are hoping that people’s confidence continues to improve and we intend to hold the 2022 reunion at the usual venue in Crawley on 30 September.
We are still planning to organise the event annually and intend to do so for many more years to come. If there is anything you would like to mention to us about future events, please contact us by email at bcalreunion@gmail.com |
Thank you, The Committee
Jeanette, Phil, Karen & Angie
Jeanette, Phil, Karen & Angie
