When the first emails went out to the Abqaiq Brit Expats who Eileen and I could remember, around 70 people, in the beginning and, as the replies began to come in, a few thought it would be a good idea to have our own website. At first I thought this is one job to much but after playing around with Microsoft Office Live I began to enjoy the challenge.
The first task was to think of a name and, as it was originally only for abqaiq brits, www.Abqaiq-Brits.co.uk was registered. After setting up a small website I spoke with the creator of Aramcoexpats, Vicci Thompson. Vicci was most helpful and she has indicated they will add a portal to AramcoExpats which will take interested parties through to our Website. Further discussions to be held later.
In the meantime AramcoExpats advertised our reunion on their website and through them we made contact with other Brits. Some were even asking if there was a website for British Aramcons. Vicci passed their emails to me and I informed them that I was in the process of setting up a website to be called UK Aramcons. What started as a few friends wanting to meet up once a year for a few drinks over dinner has turned into something much larger and more wide spread than just Abqaiq.
Hence the name of the website was changed from Abqaiq Brits to UK Aramcons.
The major problem with the site is that it needs people to maintain the photographs and information put on the site and it also takes money.
The people who attended the Aramco-Brits Reunion were given a preview of the website and they were impressed enough to collect enough money to sponsor the site for the next year at least. It is hoped to get other Sponsors during the coming year. I personally would like to thank all those who put their hands in their pockets and gave us enough to launch the site for a year.