This website was last modified on Tuesday, January 03, 2012 04:45 PM
Noticeboard
The following messages were sent in by ukaramcons. You can reply direct or by contacting us at
uk-aramcons@ukaramcons.co.uk
From: Preethy Kurian
Phone: 01708251400
E-mail: kezia_214@yahoo.com
Looking for Anne Simpson
My father was an Architect for Aramco from the 70's to 80's. He died in 1986 while working there. We lived in Dhahran Hills in 1986. My uncles, step-father all worked for Aramco.
I am looking for a friend of my family's, Anne Simpson who was married to Roy Simpson who I heard has now passed on. They were English and returned to the UK late 80's or early 90's. Initially they were living in Doha Camp, moved to North Camp and later moved to Dhahran Hills in Aramco main camp.
If anyone help Preethy, please contact her on the above email address.
Public Relations
Aramco Overseas Company UK Ltd
To Tom Henderson.
31/12//2011.
Antiquities Homecoming Project Launched
Saudi Aramco’s King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture has joined hands with the Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA) to encourage the donation and return of Saudi Arabian archeological artifacts currently in private collections around the world.
Saudi Aramco signed an agreement with the SCTA on Dec. 26 to cooperate in recovering valuable heritage artifacts. “The antiquities are national treasure and all efforts to recover them are highly appreciated,” said Prince Sultan ibn Salman, SCTA chairman.
In a letter to retirees, Sami Al-Saeed, Head of Public Relations at Aramco Overseas Company, said that Aramcons and their dependents had, over the decades, developed a number of collections of Saudi antiquities, large and small, often motivated by a desire to preserve them for posterity. “Saudi Aramco and the SCTA are deeply grateful to all who have rescued and preserved antiquities of the Kingdom,” he said.
He added that Saudi Aramco is extending a special invitation to all who have—or think they may have—such artifacts to consider donating them to the National Museum in Riyadh. The types of artifacts sought are not related to Aramco, but rather they are objects of national historical interest, with an emphasis on pre-Islamic archeological objects.
In return, donors of significant items will receive a Certificate of Appreciation from Saudi Aramco’s president and CEO, and be named, with the artifacts they donated, on a plaque displayed at the Center.
They will also be invited to attend a ceremony of thanks in Riyadh, planned for February 11-13, 2012, followed by a tour of major sites of archeological interest. The ceremony will coincide with the annual National Heritage Festival at Janadriyah, which will include an exhibition of recovered antiquities at the National Museum in Riyadh.
Those who believe they have—or may have—objects that could qualify for a “homecoming” to the Kingdom’s museums, are asked to please do the following before Jan. 16, 2012:
1. Take a photo or two of the object(s);
2. E-mail the photo(s) with a brief description of each object, including its provenance, if known, to: uk-aramcons@ukaramcons.co.uk (or by regular mail: Tom Henderson, 60 Kenilworth Avenue, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 4SJ).
Donations of significant artifacts will be accepted after Jan. 16, but to be considered to attend the recognition ceremony in Riyadh, individuals must send photos and information about artifacts before that date.
Below are links related to the above article.
http://www.aramcoservices.com/news-publications/aaaj/documents/aaaj30-31.pdf
http://arabnews.com/lifestyle/offbeat/article554067.ece
http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article551150.ece
Hope to see you in 2012 at the Reunion.
4th. Ukaramcons Reunion - Cardiff 2012.
Click on links to see the latest info and list of attendees.
Announcement 003.doc List of Attendees 1-Dec 2011.doc
Send in by
Mary Wilson
URGENT!!
PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS NOTICE TO YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, CONTACTS! In the coming days, you should be aware.....
Do not open any message with an attachment called: Invitation FACEBOOK, regardless of who sent it. It is a virus that opens an Olympic torch that burns the whole hard disc C of your computer. This virus will be received from someone you had in your address book .. That's why you should send this message to all your contacts. It is better to receive this email 25 times to receive the virus and open it .. If you receive a mail called: Invitation FACEBOOK, though sent by a friend, do not open it and delete it immediately. It is the worst virus announced by CNN. A new virus has been discovered recently that has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever. It is a Trojan Horse that asks you to install an adobe flash plug-in. Once you install it, it's all over. And there is no repair yet for this kind of virus. This virus simply destroys the Zero Sector of the Hard Disc, where the vital information of their function is saved. SNOPES SAYS THIS IS TRUE............ |
Looking for Tony Wifer Hoven
On Monday 14th. November had an article published in the Arab News. Saudi Aramco Public Relation would like to talk to him about his experiences on the Trans-Arabian Pipeline back in 1950. Can anyone help in tracking him down?
Read his article it starts,
“I am Tony Wifer Hoven from the Netherlands. I had worked as a Tapline official during the period between 1957 and 74. I have been at all stations of Tapline,” he starts his letter.
“Now I am 78 years of age. Until this day, I have been overcome with nostalgic feelings. After spending several years in Rafha, I am still cherishing good feelings about my contributions in the progress achieved by a section of people in the region.”
Tony said he was fully confident that some of his colleagues still remember him.
Alaela Magazines can now be downloaded.
Alaela Spring 2010.pdf Issue 01
Alaela - Autumn/Winter 2010 Issue 02
Alaela - Spring/Summer 2011 Issue 03
Kids put energy into their art
‘‘Meet the Watt family from planet Energy. The model doesn’t need new light bulbs; it only uses recycled ones.’’
Lauren Thompson
See Article.
Eid Mubarak
By Tom Henderson.
03/08/2011.
The news you have all been waiting for:
See Announcement for room rates.
Email Addresses
The following persons email address have been coming back to me as
'Failure to send' or 'Account no longer exists'
Michael Kirk, Henryk Janzebal, Mike Higgins, Bryan Wilkes,
Trevor Pickersgill, Luke Shinner, David Tinker and Jim Fowler.
I would be obliged if you could contact me on
www.Uk-aramcons@ukaramcons.co.uk
and update your email address or if anyone else knows their latest email address
to do likewise.
In this world of ever changing servers and phone lines, to keep the Ukaramcons contact list up to date I would appreciate an email if your email address changes.
Regards Tom.
Sent in by Tom Bell
31st. July 2011.
Barry Whiteley, British and proud of it!
Airline Lunches
I put my carry-on in the luggage
compartment and sat down in my
assigned seat.
It was going to be a long flight from Gatwick.
'I'm glad I have a good book to read
Perhaps I will get a short sleep,' I thought.
Just before take-off, a line of British Army Youngsters
came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats,
totally surrounding me.
I decided to start a conversation.
'Where are you blokes headed?' I asked the
Young man seated nearest to me.
Cyprus . We'll be there for two weeks
for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan .
After flying for about an hour,
an announcement was made that
lunches were available for five pounds.
It would be several
hours before we reached Cyprus ,
and I quickly decided a lunch would
help pass the time..
As I reached for my wallet,
I overheard a soldier ask his mate if
he planned to buy lunch.
'No, that seems like a lot of money for
just an airline lunch.
Probably wouldn't be worth five Quid.
I'll wait till we get to Cyprus ....
His mate agreed.
I looked around at the other soldiers.
None were buying lunch.
I walked to the back of the plane
and handed the flight attendant a
fifty Pound note.
'Take a lunch to all those soldiers..'
She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly.
Her eyes wet with tears,
she thanked me.
'My young bloke was a soldier in Iraq ,
it's almost like you are doing it for him..'
Picking up ten lunchboxes,
she headed up the aisle to where the
boys were seated.
She stopped at my seat and asked,
'Which do you
like best - beef or chicken?'
'Chicken,' I replied, wondering
why she asked..
She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute
later with a dinner plate from first class.
This is your thanks.
After we finished eating,
I went again to the back of the plane,
heading for the rest room.
An old bloke stopped me.
'I saw what you did.
I want to be part of it.
Here, take this.'
He handed me twenty-five
Pounds..
Soon after I returned to my seat,
I saw the Captain coming
down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he wasn't looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers
only on my side of the plane.
When he got to my row he stopped, smiled,
held out his hand, and said,
'I want to shake your hand.'
Quickly unfastening my seat-belt I stood and took the Captain's hand.
With a booming voice he said, 'I was an army pilot a long time back.
Once someone bought me lunch.
It was an act of kindness I never forgot.'
I was embarrassed when applause
was heard from all of the passengers.
Later I walked to the front of the plane
so I could stretch my legs.
A kid who looked about 18 was sitting about
six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine.
He left another twenty-five Pounds
In my palm.
When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to depart.
Waiting just inside the aeroplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word.
Another twenty-five Pounds!
Upon entering the terminal,
I saw the soldiers gathering for their
Trip up to there training area..
I walked over to them and handed
them seventy-five Pounds.
'It will take you some time to
reach your training area. It will be
about time for a sandwich.
God Bless You Blokes.'
Ten young blokes left that flight feeling
the love and respect of their fellow Brits.
As I walked briskly to my car,
I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were
giving their all for our country.
I could only give them a couple of meals.
It seemed so little...
A British Serviceman is someone who,
at one point in his life, wrote a blank
cheque made payable to
' United Kingdom '
for an amount of
'up to and including my life.'
That is Honour, and there are way
too many foreigners in this country
who don't understand it.'
May you have the strength and
courage to pass this along to
everyone on your email mates list....
Sent by Kathleen Coffey.
June 30th. 2011
Hello everyone,
I have just received an email from a man with whom I have done Soroptimist business on one occasion approximately 2 years ago;
I've never met this person. He tells me that he is in Madrid, has just been held up at gunpoint, had his credit cards and cash stolen and needs money to pay his hotel bill and purchase his ticket home.
Obviously I am quite sure this is some kind of con. I have called him but with no reply, but I'm sure someone has hacked his computer and sent this email to everyone on his address list. Now I'm nervous that by opening the email I've allowed the same hacker into my address book although I do have good internet security.
If you do receive a begging email from me, ignore it. I am not in Spain, or anywhere else other than Scotland; I have not been held up at gunpoint and do not need money to pay my hotel bill. (Now my gas bill that just arrived yesterday might be another matter!)
Hope you don't mind my sending out this message, but wanted to be safe.
Kathleen Coffey
Lynne Hampson receives an MA
in Nineteenth Century Literature and Culture.
See Graduations.
Alaela Magazine
Autumn/Winter 2010 Issue
Now Available.
If you have not already subscribed, send you name and postal address to;
The Editor,
Alaela Magazine,
Aramco Overseas Company UK Ltd.
Centre Point,
26th. Floor, 103 New Oxford Street,
London, WC1A 1DD
United Kingdom,
Sent by Mary Wilson
عملية إزالة دوار مجلس التعاون
| لم نعد نحتاج رموز لوحدة خليجنا، فوحدتنا ظهر ولله الحمد 00:00:50 Added on 18/03/2011 11,929 views | |
Subject: End Of a Monument Celebrating Bahrain's Pearling Heritage
Bahrain Pearl Roundabut has been demolished! |
The second issue of Alaela Magazine is ready and will be distributed soon.
If you would like a FREE copy and have not already subscribed, please send your Name and Postal Address to Uk-aramcons@ukaramcons.co.uk .
By Kimberly Johans
16th. Feb. 2011.
Calling all UK and European based ex-Aramcons!
The 3rd issue of Alaela will feature stories about the DWG (Dhahran Women's Group) years, in celebration of 2011 being the Group's 65th. anniversary. If you have any stories about your travels with the group or short snippets about the people you met and the experiences you had, please send them to the editor of Alaela. Photos are of course always welcome! We hope to make this issue a very special one and we'd love your contribution.
Either send your submissions to alaela@aramco.com or post to The Editor, Aramco Overseas Company UK Ltd, 26th. Floor, Centre Point, 103 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1DD.
By Mary Wilson
As you know, the Harriers are being phased out.
They recently had a fly-past over Downing Street.
If you look at the picture slightly from the side, or squint slightly...... you'll see a speical:
Message from the harrier pilots to our esteemed politicians...
Belated News
Alan Boothroyd and Ken Scott passed away last December.
See In Memoriam.
By Alison Hooker.
DWG 65th. Anniversary.
2011 is the 65th anniversary of the Dhahran Women's Group, one of the longest running Aramco self-directed groups. As part of the celebrations, we would like to compile a 'memory book' with stories, poems, photos and articles about the remembrances that previous members treasure of their involvement with the DWG.
We would especially like to know about some of the challenges the group faced, the fun times, and charity-focused activities.
Please email your stories to ali.hooker@yahoo.com.au before 31st March 2011.
Project Coordinator, DWG Vice-President, Ali Hooker
Check out the DWG website http://sites.google.com/site/dhahranwomensgroup/
Eileen and I
would like to wish you all,
A Merry Christmas
and
A Prosperous and Healthy New Year.
Regards Tom.
By Avrid Koris
Hi All,
if visiting Western France in the near future you might look up some old friends of mine, ex Saudi Aramco that offer a really good B&B or gites service. Please pass this website link on to anyone who may be interested as I would like to help them on their way with their business.
Regards Arvid.
GOSI Information for Expats and Ex-Employees
Author: GOSI
Released 24 November 2010
Notice from General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI)
We have been advised by GOSI to have any expatriate/ex-employee who has problems with his payments and/or needs to verify any remuneration by GOSI to contact them directly via email:
Riyadh Office General Manager
Mr. Abdulrahman H. Almusa
AAlmusa@gosi.gov.sa
AND/OR
His Assistant
Abdulaziz S. Alsaif
AAlsaif2@gosi.gov.sa
You must include your GOSI number on all correspondence.
By Mary Wilson & Bob Nickson
Postal Scam!!!
Can you circulate this around especially as Xmas is fast approaching - it has been confirmed by Royal Mail. The Trading Standards Office are making people aware of the following scam:
A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a Premium rate number).
DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize .
If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £315 for the phone call.
If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 020 7239 6655.
3rd Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Reunion
Tentative Date
March 9-18, 2015.
By Lorne Stefan.
Neil Tarrant passed away suddenly.
On Sunday morning, 7th. November 2010, Aramco community lost one of its finest with the unexpected passing of Neil Tarrant.
Neil was well known in all four camps of Aramco. He was very much involved with the Kids baseball, a very keen golfer and member of Ain Nakhl Golf Club where he held many positions in the Committee during his time in Abqaiq.
Neils' wife Yvonne can be contacted at ntarrant@hotmail.com
3455 Appleway Blvd
Westbank, BC
V4T 1Y6
The funeral for Neil will be: Sunday, November 14, 12:00 noon.
Springfield Funeral Home
2020 Springfield Road
Kelowna, BC
250-860-7077
Yvonne has asked that in lieu of flowers, if anyone wishes to make a donation in Neil's name, please send it to:
Kelowna Minor Hockey Association
1420 Ellis Street
Kelowna, BC
V1Y 2A5
250-861-5677
Did you enjoy reading the first Issue of Alaela Magazine?
Would you like to see your story in the next?
If so, it is time to send in your article and photos.
The second issue is due to be compiled at the end of this month.
Dig out these old photos and get writing.
Eid Mubarak to all our friends.
3rd. Ukaramcons Reunion - 2010
Article and Photos of the Reunion now online.
Click on Photo
Alaela Magazine launched
at
3rd. Ukaramcons Reunion – 31st July, 2010.
All the reunion attendees were first to received a copy of the Alaela magazine.
See Article & Photos
Ukaramcons Reunion - Edinburgh, Scotland.
July 29th - Aug. 1st 2010.
Last chance to book your place.
As I informed you at the beginning of the month the Hotel has increased the number of people who can attend the dinner. Those on the waiting list have been given the chance to attend but some unfortunately have made other arrangements.
Which leaves five places for the Reunion dinner on Saturday 31st July, if anyone is interested please contact me by June 28th 2010. At present I still have 2 rooms reserved but will be forced to give them up on fore mentioned date.
Only 15 days Left to book.
AOC London are about to launch Alaela magazine later this month and it will be distributed to all Ex-Aramcons who would like a copy. The Magazine contains photos and articles from Aramcons all over the UK and Europe, with their past experiences in Aramco, travels around the world and their current lives
If you would like a FREE copy and have not already subscribed, please send me your postal address and I will see it is put on the subscrption list for the first issue and subsequent issues.
Regards Tom.
email: uk-aramcons@ukaramcons.co.uk
UKARAMCON REUNION 2010 - Places Available.
The reunion is now only 8 weeks away and has been fully booked since February 5th 2010. Two weeks ago the Hotel gave us an extra 10 places and those on the waiting list were given the first chance of attending and had until yesterday to accept.
There are still 6 places available but only one room left. If anyone wishes to attend, please contact me ASAP. or if you know of a ukaramcon who might want to come please get them to contact me by email at
uk-aramcons@ukaramcons.co.uk
As it was with the waiting list the places will be allocated on first come basis.
Regards Tom.
From Noreen & Charles Dunn
8th. May 2010.
Looking for Old Friends
HI, we were Aramcons in Dhahran camp 1991-1998. We lived in Riyal Road, Dhahran. Our sons are Toby (now 17) and Laurence, now nearly 14.
Toby went to the British School, Dhahran for approx 1 year..
Would love to hear from anyone of that era. Have very good and wistful memories of that great period.
Noreen and Charles Dunn
Contact Addresses: Noreenidunn@aol.com or rcharlest_dunn@yahoo.com
SR50bn tourist city planned in Al-Ahsa regionBy P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR | ARAB NEWS Published: Feb 21, 2010 12:09 AM Updated: Feb 21, 2010 12:44 AM JEDDAH: A fully-fledged tourist city is being developed in the eastern coastal city of Al-Oqair at a total cost of SR50 billion. According to Prince Sultan bin Salman, chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has given the go-ahead to implement the project, which will change the face of Al-Ahsa region. Prince Sultan said the first phase of the project, which aims to make Al-Oqair a world-class tourist city, will cost SR100 million. Located in Al-Ahsa, Al-Oqair receives a large number of tourists and visitors from within the Kingdom and neighboring GCC countries. Al-Ahsa Mayor Fahd Al-Jubair said the Al-Oqair project will not only change the face of Al-Ahsa but also create more than 80,000 jobs for young Saudi men and women. “Al-Ahsa municipality will have a 25 to 30 percent stake in the project and will be in partnership with SCTA,” he told Al-Yaum Arabic daily. He said the project, the largest in Al-Ahsa’s history, will increase the municipality’s revenues. He also hoped that the municipality will receive annual revenue of at least SR100 million from the project. “It will have a great impact on Al-Ahsa’s economy,” he said. A similar project is also to be developed in Jeddah’s Obhur Corniche. The Saudi Cabinet has already given approval for the project. Spread over 140,000 square meters, the site will be developed into a permanent center for festivities. It will also include a heritage village, an open stage and a site for fireworks. Sami Nawar, head of tourism and culture at Jeddah municipality, said the site had previously been used to stage a major exhibition of mega-projects in the Makkah province. It will be similar to the King Abdul Aziz Cultural Center in Abrug Al-Righama. The only difference is that it will be located on the sea front, north of Golden Sands beach, he said. Nawar said the municipality has already prepared preliminary designs for the multibillion-riyal project. An engineering office will be contracted to conduct a detailed study before awarding the project to a specialized company for implementation. Nawar refused to give the estimated cost of the project. He, however, said it will be huge. He said the final designs will determine the area required for the project, including parking facilities. The project is to be carried out in several phases. The Council of Ministers has already approved plans to carry out a number of new tourism projects on the Red Sea coast. The SCTA believe the new projects will attract SR150 billion in investment. They further estimated annual tourist spending at new Red Sea tourist resorts to be valued at SR9.9 billion. The Red Sea projects will be established in Ras Humaid, Sharma, Qayyal and Dhaffat Al-Wajh in Tabuk province, Arrayes in Yanbu, Ras Muhaisen in Makkah province, Haridha in Asir and Farasan in Jizan. The proposed resorts will have a total 557,000 rooms and create 413,000 jobs, including 165,000 direct jobs in the first five years, SCTA officials said. |
For details of our property portfolio, why not check out Our Property Website.
We will be happy for you to forward these links to your friends and colleagues or ask them to contact us on arvidkoris@coastriver.co.uk
http://coastriver.vilabol.uol.com.br/
www.coastriver.co.uk
arvidkoris@coastriver.co.uk
Regards Arvid
arvidkoris@coastriver.co.uk
A message from Chris Saunders
Phone: 808 351-1007
E-mail: pacificfm@bendbroadband.com
I was a SERVORG at ARAMCO in Dharan and Yanbu from 1979 - 83 then to Jubail with Shell till '87.5
I'm looking for Ray Simcox and his wife Cath who were from Manchester and were part of the Office Services Group in Ras Tanura and Dharan in 79-83.
Thanks for your help. Chris Saunders
Reminder for content submission
Good morning!
As we draw ever closer to the publication of our very own magazine Alaela, I’d like to take a moment to thank you for your support and effort in ensuring this first issue is a success.
We have received some wonderful stories relaying travel adventures and memories of early years in Aramco and the Kingdom. We’ve also got proof of the interesting hobbies some of you are involved in along with a great deal of reminiscing!
But I‘m sure there are plenty more stories to tell and photos to prove them! As such, I’d like to add a gentle reminder to please submit any content you may wish to, for this edition, by the end of February.
Please remember that images in a magazine are incredibly important. Should you be sending any through, please ensure they are at least 1MB in size or greater than 300dpi. This can be ascertained by clicking on the properties of each photo. Should you be scanning any old photos, they can be scanned as a TIFF file rather than a PDF to ensure a higher image resolution.
As well, if you have any remarks or suggestions regarding the style and structure of the magazine, please feel free to let me know. I welcome any comments!
Thank you once more and I look forward to your response.
Kind regards,
Kim.
By Tom Henderson
Date: February 5, 2010, 10:51.am
Ukaramcons Reunion 2010
Edinburgh, Scotland.
July 29th. - Aug. 1st. 2010.
RESERVATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
Waiting List to be activated
A message from
A Dhahran Community Maintenance ex-Employee
From: zeya.houston@hotmail.com
To: uk-aramcons@ukaramcons.co.uk
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 07:00:17 +0300
I am looking for Mike Here , who worked with Community Maintenance Department, Dhahran.
Denis Emerton, who was Supdt. Of Community Maintenance Department, Dhahran and Bill Borrow, Deputy Fire Chief for Yanbu Fire Protection Unit.
I will appreciate if anyone can get me connected with the above ex Aramcons.
My full Name is Zeya S. Ahmed, They know me by the name of Zeya.
I had worked with Aramco, Dhahran 1o years from 1978 to1988.
Your assistance will be highly appreciate.
Regards.
Zeya, Syed Ahmed
Ukaramcons Reunion 2010
At the 1st Reunion in 2007, it was a struggle to gather 50 Ukaramcons from Abqaiq, but as it was successful the number was increased to 200 to accommodate all 4 Camps for the 2nd Reunion in 2008, when 97 attended. This year the limit for dinner is 120 due to Fire Regulations at the Hotel and already 118 have confirmed their bookings.
In the past month the bookings have gradually accelerated and only 2 dinner places remain.
For those of you, who were thinking about coming and have not made your reservation, please contact me first before trying to book a room.
Once the limit is reached I will start a standby list, and those on it will get the first chance of any cancellations there might be. It will work on a first come basis.
Regards Tom.
By Mike Durband
21st. January 2010
Joan Lorraine Durband - passed away on Saturday 19th September 2009.
Alaela Magazine
The Alaela magazine survey competition has now drawn to a close, with a high number of respondents showing not only their interest in the magazine’s creation, but also in submitting content.
Congratulations to those that won the LG digital cameras (who were each sent an email) and a huge thank you to everybody who took the time to let us know your thoughts and suggestions.
Despite the competition’s closure, please encourage anyone who has yet to fill out the survey to do so, as it is a valuable source of information in ensuring the magazine brings you the sort of information and articles you wish to read about.
I look forward to hearing from you soon if I haven’t done so already!
Kimberly
A Christmas Poem
T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE,
MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY,
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO,
IN THIS HOME, DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES,
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT,
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR,
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED,
A BRITISH SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO,
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES,
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS,
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE,
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM,
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER,
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE,
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT,
A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES,
AND STARTED TO CRY.
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED,
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL,
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED,
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE,
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR,
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
This poem was written by an Australian Peacekeeping soldier stationed overseas. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable
PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favour of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to all of the service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves
for us.
Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.
A Merry Christmas
&
A Happy and Prosperous New Year
to
Everyone.
Tom & Eileen
Magazine Update
Dear all,
Firstly, thank you very much to those that have responded to my initial call for submissions to our new magazine. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!
Following on from this, we’ve created a survey to allow us to determine how best to develop this magazine for your enjoyment.
If you are able to spare 10 minutes of your time to complete the following survey, you could be in with a chance to win 1 of 5 digital cameras.
Please click here to begin and note that the deadline for submission is 31 December, 2009. That means the submission deadline has also been moved a couple of weeks. Should you be interested, the results of the survey can be emailed to you. Please indicate if you wish to be included.
Thank you in advance for your efforts and best of luck!
Kimberly
Kimberly Johans | Public Relations
Aramco Overseas Company UK Ltd
26th Floor, Centre Point, 103 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1DD
T : +44 (0) 20 7632 4975 +44 (0) 20 7632 4975
E : kimberly.johans@aramcouk.com
W : www.aramcooverseas.com
Magazine Update
Just a reminder that the Magazine deadline for articles, recipes, photos etc. is 24th December, 2009
So far only three people have offered anything - 2 recipes and an offer of short stories.
This Magazine is dependant on your participation and without your articles and photos it could fail.
What about all you Divers? Surely there are stories to be told of your experiences while diving in the Red Sea and other places around the world.
Then there are all those who have travelled all over the Middle East and Thailand on short holidays during Haj and Eid.
What about the Golfers who travelled to Bahrain and Dubai etc. to play different courses?
Where are the AYSO Members who were lucky enough to travel to the UK and visit Premier Football Clubs for training.
Not to forgetting all the other Self-Direct Groups, Arts & Crafts, Theatre Groups (Players), Photographic Societies, Womens Group, Yatch Club, Runners, Softball and DOGs well supported over the years by Brits.
Everybody must have memories of the Gulf War in 1990 – 91. What were you doing when war broke out? How did you react to the incoming scuds and the continuous take offs and landings of the Fighter Jets?????
And again in 2003 when Saddam Hussain was removed from power in Iraq.
We want to read Your experiences and Your side of things - what happened to You and how it affected You. It is Your Story we want to read about.
D-Day 24th. December, 2009.
By Ray Findlay
3rd. Dec 2009. 
John Edmund Blagdon -
Passed Away on 26th. November 2009.
See In Memoriam
Our Very Own Magazine
Good Afternoon Everyone,
I have been approached by AOC London to help put together a Magazine based on the
Al-Ayyam Al-Jamilah Magazine. The idea is to have something that is based on Saudi Aramco Employees and Ex-employees from the UK Payroll, this would include Europe, New Zealand and Australia.
A letter from AOC (See Announcements) gives a list of items they are looking to include in the Magazine. It is intended to keep this Magazine informal but to have a look that will be interesting and easy to read.
This is where you as an Ukaramcon can help. Please send me an article on your present and past experiences of travel, achievements and Recipes.
I realise the time parameters are short but it is necessary so as the Magazine can be created and produced in time for the Spring 2010.
I also know there are a few ex-employees with stories to tell that would be interesting to others, so get the pen to paper and send me a copy. Please do not send any photographs (unless they are digital) until your article has been accepted for print. Once used, all photographs that are sent in shall be returned.
One other item of importance, the reunion 2010 is beginning to get booked up with 76 of the 120 limit already confirmed. Those who are thinking of attending need to book soon.
Regards Tom.
Sam Ladah looking for an Ian Ferguson
I was raised in Dhahran. Attended DJHS from K - 12, then boarding school, while my father continued worked for ARAMCO in Project Management and Materials Supply (about 25 years with the company). While I was in Dhahran, I got to be pretty good friends with my soccer coach, Ian Ferguson (believe it or not, he named our team Partik Thistle!). I've lost touch with Ian and can't find him anywhere online (I guess it's a pretty common name). In any event, I'm living in London now and occasionally make my way up to Scotland -- and would love to reconnect. I tried to locate Ian's contact info on the Annuitant's Address List at aramcoservices.com but haven't had any luck. Is there a directory somewhere of people here in the UK, or would you happen to have him in your database somewhere. He's from Glasgow, but not sure if he's living there now. His wife's name was Isabelle.
If anyone knows how to contact Ian please drop me a line on
www.uk-aramcons@ukaramcons.co.uk
Regards Tom.
3rd. UKARAMCON REUNION 2010
July 29th, - August 1st. 2010
Holiday Inn, Edinburgh North,
107 Queensferry Road,
Edinburgh, EH4 3HL.
For the past 10 months I have been in negotiations with the Holiday Inn, Edinburgh North, with regard to room rates and finally they have agreed to the following :-
Single Room Occupancy - Bed & Breakfast - £65.00 inclusive of Vat.
Double Room Occupancy - Bed & Breakfast - £80.00 inclusive of Vat.
Twin Room Occupancy - Bed & Breakfast - £80.00 inclusive of Vat.
You can book by phoning (44) 0131 3114903 (44) 0131 3114903 and quoting reference ‘Ukaramcons’ during office hours Monday – Friday, 09:00 – 17:00hrs.
Please email your hosts Tom & Eileen Henderson
on www.ukaramcons.co.uk/contactus.aspx of all confirmed bookings or for further information.
MPs vote for ban on alcohol sales
By MOHAMMED AL A'ALI,
Posted on Wednesday, May 06, 2009
MANAMA: MPs voted yesterday for a blanket ban on public sales of alcohol at Bahrain's hotels, restaurants, clubs and off-licences.
But they agreed to allow consumption in private homes, with suppliers providing home delivery.
Hotel guests would be allowed alcohol only in their rooms under the proposal, backed unanimously at parliament's weekly session.
MPs had already voted earlier to ban alcohol sales at Bahrain International Airport, including in the duty free shops and on Gulf Air flights.
The proposal must now go to the Cabinet, which has the power to reject it.
The nationwide ban was proposed by parliament legislative and legal affairs committee vice-chairman Shaikh Jassim Al Saeedi, who said alcohol was fuelling the vice trade and turning the country into a brothel.
"It is the main reason behind unclean tourism and the consequences the country is facing from increased crime," he said.
Parliament financial and economic affairs committee vice-chairman and Al Asala MP Abdulhaleem Murad backed him.
"We don't want this unclean money, even if the government claims that it is benefiting the economy," he said.
Wanted
Parliament foreign affairs, defence and national security committee chairman and Al Asala MP Shaikh Adel Al Mo'awada said people wanted alcohol stopped. "We will accept failure in the economy if alcohol is banned, since we have taken the decision. The call is ours and we will handle the consequences," he said.
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=249833
By Michael Buckley
7th May 2009. bad news for some people
The King Fahad Causeway linking Bahrain and Saudi Arabia is sinking into the sea due to the heavy weight of traffic using the bridge, a senior official warned in comments published on Monday.
Abdulhakim Shammary, head of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Customs and Port Committee, said the 28 km causeway had already sunk a "few centimetres" in the last couple of years and urgent repairs were needed, Bahrain’s Gulf Daily News reported.
Shammary said there were sections of the bridge that looked like they were "caving in".
The causeway is only road-link between the two countries is used by hundreds of thousands of trucks every year. The causeway is notorious for its traffic jams.
"The causeway, built at a cost of $1.2 billion and commissioned for use in 1982, was never meant to have such a large number of heavy trucks standing on it all the time," he was quoted as saying.
"We have a situation every day where thousands of tonnes of goods carried by trucks are waiting for hours on the bridge and that put pressure on the structure."
By Ivie Rennie
6th. May 2009.
Wednesday 29th. April the last run of “Rennie’s 12 Hour Relay”
(See Article & Photos)
By David Howlett
1st. May, 2009. Whoops......
This brand spanking new Airbus 340-600, the largest passenger
airplane ever built, at the time, sits just outside it's hangar in Toulouse ,
France, without a single hour of airtime on the clock....
(See Article & Photos)
By Tom Henderson
1st. May, 2009.
Returning to our home of 26 years.
Around 500 Retirees, Family and Brats attended and each had their own Itinenary This is our (Eileen & Tom) story of what turned out to be a very enjoyable return visit.
(See Article & Photos)
By Michael Buckley
25th. April, 2009
Now this REALLY is a good cause!!
From: Joanna Lumley <joanna@gurkhajustice.org.uk>
Date: 2009/4/25
Subject: Thank you for signing the Gurkha Justice Campaign petition
Thank you so much for signing the Gurkha Justice petition, and joining our campaign.
Already, tens of thousands of people have signed: an extraordinary response in support of an extraordinary group of people.
We demand the full, fundamental change in law that will allow all retired Gurkhas the right to live here. The Government's decision on 25th April goes nowhere near far enough. Many thousands of Gurkhas who served our country will still be refused the right to live here.
The High Court demanded new rules from the Government. The Government's response has been awful. We must be clear. We want the right for all Gurkhas who have served this country to live here if they wish.
To make the biggest possible impact, we really need more people to sign up: lots more. We need to form one of the biggest ever campaigns to force the to change their mind and to show our support for the Gurkha cause.
Your support for the campaign is a fantastic boost: thank you so much. But, if possible, I need to ask you to help to encourage others to sign.
Firstly, ask all of your friends and colleagues to sign up to the Gurkha Justice Campaign at www.gurkhajustice.org.uk <http://www.gurkhajustice.org.uk> - please do forward them this
email, or email or contact them directly yourself.
And secondly, you can now download a petition form for signing from
www.gurkhajustice.org.uk/gurkha_campaign_petition_form.pdf <http://www.gurkhajustice.org.uk/gurkha_campaign_petition_form.pdf> . Please download
and print some copies, and ask friends and colleagues who have not signed on line to sign up. Please do pass it round (some friends of mine have run street stalls asking people for their signatures - I'm not asking you to go that far!) and return completed sheets to me at the address on the form as soon as possible.
I will be in touch again in the near future with other ways you can help:
I hope you will be able to do so.
Finally - thank you again for your support. Together, we must finally right
this wrong.
With warmest good wishes,
Joanna Lumley
for the Gurkha Justice Campaign
By Ann Hardie
10th. April 2009
Colin Graham passed away on Thursday 9th. April 2009.
See In Memoriam
By Aramcoexpats
10th. April 2009.
Milo Cumpston, 86, of Fayetteville died Thursday, April 9, 2009 at his home.
See In Memoriam
By Tom Bell
Wednesday 1st. April, 2009
Bad Day In Jubail
5000 Bottles - Big Catch ( Red Label...)
Al Jubail (KSA) Port Authority yesterday caught over 5000 Bottles of Red Label smuggled inside slabs of granite coming from Dubai.
By George Carruthers
Wednesday 1st April, 2009.
.jpg)
Abqaiq Commissary car park
Click Here More Photos
By Ivan swan
11:15am Monday 30th. March, 2009.
A Thunderstorm caused much damage in Abqaiq Camp
.jpg)
19th Street. Click Here More Photos
By Colin Knight
27th. March, 2009.
Hi friends, fellow travellers, Aramcons, Retirees & Brats.
This is being sent, hopefully, to everyone whose email was printed in the reunion book, plus some volunteers whose email address I know.
Firstly a big thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make thereunion trip such a success. The logistics were amazing and you kept the program on track. This was much appreciated by everyone I spoke to.
Please pass my thanks to volunteers whose email address was not in the reunion book.
I have loaded my Reunion trip photos to my website:
http://colindiver.smugmug.com/Saudi%20Aramco%20reunion%202009
best wishes
Colin Knight
By Michael Buckley
16th. March 2009.
First underwear shop in Saudi Arabia
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By Michael Buckley
11th. March 2009.
The moment an awe-inspiring desert storm engulfed the Saudi capital.
With terrifying majesty, a giant dust storm swept in from the desert and enveloped large parts of the Saudi capital Riyadh today.
The vast, whirling clouds cast an apocalyptic yellowish hue over the city's sprawling surburbs, choking residents with a blanket of grit and sand.
The awe-inspiring storm engulfed buildings and caused huge traffic jams as it enveloped the city of 4 million people in a layer of impenetrable gloom.
A huge sand storm engulfs the Saudi capital of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday. The storm, which was still raging hours after it started
Riyadh's airport was forced to halt flights as the swirling eddies of dust blacked out visibility from the control tower and on the main runways.
A civil aviation spokesman said: 'It was a very frightening spectacle as it approached the city.
'Outbound flights from Riyadh were suspended and incoming flights were diverted to other airports in the kingdom.'
Motorists said visibility on motorways was reduced a few metres as the storm blew in.
.jpg)
Flights were disrupted at the city's King Khalid International airport, with weather authorities announcing that visibility would drop to zero
.jpg)
A Saudi covers his face with his traditional headdress as the sandstorm colours the sky
Commuter Nasser Ahmed: 'Most drivers pulled over and shut their windows, while a few ploughed slowly on with their hazard lights on.'
Riyadh, situated in the middle of the Saudi desert, is used to regular sandstorms but today's was described as a 'monster'.
Government spokesman Major General Abdul Rahman Al-Moqbel told Arab News: 'It was enormous. One of the biggest we have seen.
Dust up: Saudis take photographs of The Kingdom Tower, left, while Cars jam a highway as a sandstorm colours their view and reduces visibility.
A view of King Fahad street in central Riyadh as the city is engulfed
'Luckily there were no serious incidents because of awareness programmes carried out by the Traffic Department from time to time.'
An official from the Saudi Meteorological Department added: 'Sandstorms are due to high pressure in the northern and central parts of the Kingdom.
'This whips up the sand and then the wind can blow it for a hundred miles or more. Tuesday's storm passed in a few hours and temperatures in the north and centre of the country have now dropped, with the wind blowing the storm away to the north.'
But he said many parts of the city were now covered with tonnes of sand, adding: 'No serious damage has been done but people will find they have quite a lot of sweeping up to do.'
.jpg)
A Saudi man covers his face with a traditional Saudi head dress cover Shemagh
.jpg)
An official from the Saudi Meteorological Department added: 'Sandstorms are due to high pressure in the northern and central parts of the Kingdom
By Michael Buckley
15th. February 2009.
Major reshuffle in Saudi Arabia
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has sacked two powerful religious officials in a wide ranging shake-up of the cabinet and other government posts.
One of the dismissed men was the head of the controversial religious police force. The other was the country's most senior judge.
He has also appointed the country's first ever female minister and replaced the head of the central bank.
Correspondents say such government reshuffles are rare in Saudi Arabia.
King Abdullah has for a long time had the reputation of a reformer. But the BBC's Arab affairs analyst Bob Trevelyan says the pace of change has been slow in the four years of the king's reign.
The latest appointments however have the makings of one of the biggest shake-ups in Saudi public life for many years.
Feared organisation
The sacked head judge, Sheikh Salih Ibn al-Luhaydan, caused controversy last September when he said it was permissible to kill the owners of satellite TV channels which broadcast immoral programmes.
Sheikh Salih Ibn al-Luhaydan said some "evil" entertainment programmes aired by the channels promoted debauchery.
Sheikh Ibrahim al-Ghaith has lost his job as head of the feared religious police organisation, the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, which enforces Saudi Arabia's conservative brand of Islam, Wahhabism.
Norah al-Faiz now holds the most senior official position a woman has held in Saudi Arabia. She has been appointed to the newly-created post of deputy education minister for women's affairs.
King Abdullah succeeded his half-brother, King Fahd, in 2005.
29 January 2009 08:56:53
From: Grace Lister - previously known as Lemondin
Phone: 0113 2761700
E-mail: g-lister@sky.com
Message:
I was in Abqaiq from 1981 to May 1984. I worked in Abqaiq Clinic as a medical Secretary to Dr Kusybi. I would like to get in touch with any other Abqaiq Aramcons from that time or who might remember me, as I have lost touch with many of them.
UKARAMCONS are not responsible or liable for the content of photographs sent, but do reserve the right not to post photographs on their website.
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