Here is the latest news from Skål in the UK. Happy reading!

Skål UK Newsletter - July 2013

Greetings Skålleagues from a very hot and sunny Spain and I hope you are enjoying the arrival of summer at last. I have just returned from UK after getting a replacement passport - mine was stolen on a recent amazing trip to Cordoba and Seville. I left the sunshine behind for you all!! Full marks to the passport people in Victoria for being so efficient and kind and replacing my passport immediately when I had been told it would take a week! Also to British Airways for upgrading me to a club seat each way from Alicante to Gatwick and return.
Now I have to apply all over again for visas for USA and Australia. I was being so organised!

I am still trying to get my transfer in New York for the Congress confirmed and stunned at the cost of hotels in New York in September for single occupancy. Why is it so difficult organising Skål events? The pre and post hotels with their “extras” looked amazing until I asked for quotes on single occupancy. Perhaps a tent?
It would seem that there quite a few of us this taking to the water to see the colours!
Union Jack t-shirts ?!

Regards and Skål
Lyn

News from the Clubs

LONDON have organised something a little different this month - a Night at the Races with the added attraction of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra at Epsom on Thursday 25th July.
Gates open 4pm, first race 6pm, concert 9pm. Cost £22 entrance only - book via this link... BOOK NOW

BRIGHTON SUSSEX AND THE CHANNEL Congratulations to member Philip Ayers on being awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his services to transport.
President Val is holding her Garden Party on Saturday 17^th August at home. Skål UK members and partners only.

SOUTHAMPTON President Dieter together with Eileen took part in a familiarisation tour of the QUEEN MARY II as a foretaste of the planned trip that the club is organising to Hamburg. This is taking place on 8-12 November. Hotel stay in Hamburg – activities with the Hamburg club and a two night cruise back from Hamburg to Southampton. Please contact Dieter by email for further details on this exciting offer dieter.schlieben@hotmail.co.uk

Dieter reported the death of Doreen Gale at 93 years of age in June. Doreen was a keen member of the Skål Club of Portsmouth and also served as President. She managed one of Thomas Cook Travel Agencies in Havant during the 1970’s and later had her own Travel Shop on Hayling Island.

NORTHERN IRELAND secretary Diane Toner reports that they have been doing lots of successful recruiting and the Club is again thriving. They have around 40 members with lots of young members – mainly female. They are very excited about their entry for the Sustainable Tourism Awards. This is the new Visitor Centre at Giant´s Causeway. So fingers crossed from all of us please! There are five members of N.I going on the Skål Congress and they are hoping to organise a little “Titanic” excursion to the Maritime Museum and Fairview cemetery when the ship calls into Halifax during the trip. A “something civic” presentation from the Belfast Lord Mayor to his appropriate opposite number and a gift from the Belfast Titanic Belfast visitor attraction to the Maritime Museum.

OXFORD is holding their Garden Party on 10^th August- details and bookings from Jenny Edwards - leoandjenny@edwards10.plus.com or 01235 769765

INTERNATIONAL SKÅL NEWS - Industry Discounts

Task Force Chair Thom Vincent has added a benefit to Skål members in the UK. TIS is a trading name for Travel brands which offers excellent worldwide hotels, travel packages, cruises and Airfares to Travel Professionals. We can now access these travel industry discounts. Registration is easy so have a look at the website. I have been a member of TIS for many years as I am sure many of you already are. I have always found them friendly and helpful on the telephone. So use the link www.traveltis.co.uk and you will see the registration page just below the log in. Using Skal as your organisation and your Skål membership card number for the Employee number you will soon be on your way!

Bernard Crisp OBE
We are not in the habit of publishing full obituaries but thanks to Dieter, we thought this short eulogy was quite appropriate for Skål and very touching.

BERNARD DAVID JAMES CRISP 1926 -2013

Freeman of the City of London, Knight of Malta, holder of the Order of the British Empire Medal, Bernard died one week short of his 87^th birthday. Bernard joined Skål first in London and later transferred to Southampton. He was president inn 1972

Born in 1926 he enjoyed every minute of life. He joined the Royal Navy from school where after being commission he was sent to the Far East to join a Minesweeping Flotilla as a Navigating Office. When he left the RN he was a Captain of a Corvette. He then joined Cunard in the City where he worked his way up the company ladder to become Deputy General Manager in 1962. When the Head office was moved from Liverpool to Southampton in 1965 he joined the Passenger Department where he prospered.

When Southampton was being reorganised there were a lot of management changes. Geoff Pitt joined (a very well loved former Southampton member) and Bernard was -promoted to be one of his key staff. When Geoff Pitt left Cunard Bernard was in a good position to obtain a seat on the main board where he stayed for the next 18 years becoming Director in charge of the company from UK to Australia and Managing Director Travel

On his retirement he worked voluntarily as a Trustee and Committee Chairman of both SSAFA and Combat Stress for which effort he was awarded the O.B.E

Bernard said that one of the nicest things that happened to him in life was when Geoff Pitt suggested (told him!) that he should join Skal!!

Past Presidents Association
They havemislaid their events book! Diana Hall asks that whoever is looking after the very important signing in book (lots of memories) let here know who is cherishing it!! It was last seen enjoying the company of Past Presidents and friends at their dinner in Guernsey during the National. E-mail dianamarie@tiscali.co.uk