Introduction
The sad news is that one of our valued members, Alma Penn, has died. She will be missed by all members.
The next meeting will be on August 26th at 2pm in the Town Hall.
The Town Hall will remain closed untill 31st of July.
A new message from Just Groups 21 May
Once some members of the team can return to the office our first priority will be to follow the guidelines provided by ABTA and issue Refund Credit Notes (an RCN), for all of the holidays that have been affected.
Effectively the RCN is confirmation that all monies held are financially protected in the clients name providing reassurance on deferred holiday dates.
The RCN will state a validity date (which is yet to be confirmed) by which time if it has not be redeemed a full cash refund will be issued.
I believe the RCN should explain all of the options available to customers including their rights not to accept it and request a refund.
For the time being please bear with us until we are in a position to issue the RCN’s as this will be a very time consuming and complex process and we also need to implement a procedure for dealing with requests from those groups and/or individual members who are not in a position to travel on a deferred holiday date.
In this respect I would again like to thank everyone for their helpful understanding, patience and support which is very much appreciated as none of us could ever have anticipated a crisis of this magnitude and the impact this is having on all of our lives.
With tours now being cancelled for the whole of August we have faced a period covering eight months having only operated a handful of tours up to early March before our offices were suddenly closed. We are mindful of all the time and effort that went in to putting all of those holidays together and we are determined not to let that go to waste as we plan for the future and continue to work, from home, putting together new tours for you all to look forward to.
A message from Just Groups
Hi again Garry
I have spoken to Emily who has advised me that some of the members are asking for more information about refunds.
I fully appreciate the concerns of your members and would again assure you that we are following the guidelines set out by ABTA in respect of holidays affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.
With regards to refunds I am truly sorry for the delay but It may be some time before any refunds can be processed due to the closure of our office and the huge amount of administration this will involve once we are allowed to return which will literally takes weeks to process as we have thousands of holidays that have been affected across all of our company brands.
Our offices closed abruptly on the 24th March so I hope you can appreciate how sudden this was as government compliance and the safety of our colleagues determined the need to vacate without the luxury of time to address many outstanding matters.
All we can ask from those who have requested refunds is their patience and understanding of the magnitude of the situation we face which is totally beyond our control.
As I have mentioned for your peace of mind you have the assurance that all monies paid remain financially protected at all times through our Bond held by ABTA and that we continue to adhere to the special guidelines they have issued in respect of delayed refunds.
As soon as we are allowed to return to our day to day business we will be in touch and will endeavour to provide clear timescales for refunds at the earliest opportunity.
Once again please accept my sincere apologies and in the meantime I wish you safe all keeping.
Kind regards
Harold
Extra info from Harold. - Last weeks news which did state that Shearings were trying to secure new funding. Should Shearings not be successful in securing new funding and ultimately fail then any monies paid by their customers would still be fully protected through their Bond which is held by ABTA. We have no such problems and remain a financially sound business.
Note
All the meeting rooms including the summer party have been cancelled.
A provisional booking for a general meeting is for Wednesday 26th of August.
The Great Yarmouth Holiday has been cancelled more information to follow.
Photographs of our 2019 Christmas party taken by our very own paparizena, Claudette, who we thank very much. Also a big thanks to Josie for organising such a lovey DO. The guest of honour was The Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Councillor Billy Sheerin and his wife Lynn Sheerin.
At the present time membership is full and we no longer have a waiting list.
All our day trips and Holidays are now open to NON MEMBERS. Please contact Emily Banister, social secretery, for further informantion. Telephone home 01706655390 or mobile 07810431242. (Please do not text)
Our website is very popular with over 47,900 visits. Will any member wishing to learn how to use the web site please contact Garry.
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We are Rochdale Pensioners' Association and we meet once a month in the council Chambers of the Town Hall.
We have a speaker at each meeting.
Days Out & Holidays by coach.
The annual subscription of £15 is payable at the February AGM.
Apologies may be by TEXT or telephoned to Garry on the morning of the meetings Tel 07852 388814 OR Phill on 01706 674812
Events for 2020
HOLIDAYS :-
March 23rd to 27th Great Yarmouth
November - Eastbourne
General Meetings 2020 (The last Wednesday in each month)
January 29th - February 26th AGM - March HOLIDAY - April 29th - May 27th Summer Lunch - June 24th - July 29th - August 26th - September 30th - October 28th - November 26th
Summer Lunch - 27th May 12 noon at the Town Hall
December Christmas Party.
Day Excursions:-
June 10th - Blackpool and Cleveleys
July 8th - Wedgwood Potteries
August 12th - Scarborough
September 9th - Southport