Funding the Future of our Fellowship
I have been hunting for my Association Life Membership card and, at last, I have put my hands on it. The receipt for Three Guineas (£3.15) was signed by the then Treasurer, Bob Myers, in January 1964 and is enclosed in a nice little (9cm x 8cm) black hardback folder with gold-embossed lettering, showing Sir L P Lord as President and Mr G W Harriman as Vice-President.
My address then was in Paddock Wood, Kent, at a time when I was the Austin Motor Company Representative .- ( Sales link-man with our Dealers) - in Kent, Surrey and Sussex.. I had finished my apprenticeship back in 1958, but it took me over five years to justify that hefty expenditure for AEAA membership! Anyway, after forty four years, I reckon that my average direct annual contribution of 7.15 pence has been a pretty good investment so far! I have valued my membership of our Association, with its great spirit of comradeship, far more than any old-school friendships.
That fantastic 75th Reunion Dinner is still very clearly in mind as I write. Many positive comments have been heard since that most successful function, and they all refer in one way or another to the spirit of fellowship that binds us together - despite what happened in 2005. To quote The Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham when referring to our strength of spirit “ If you could bottle it – you could make a fortune”. Both Dick Best and Tony Ball made strong and enthusiastic references to this same intangible but powerful force.
As a Committee member, I have become conscious of the true costs of the communications that hold us together (not to mention the tireless voluntary work that goes on quietly at our Chairman’s address) and keep us informed via the Newsletter and Website. Prior to 2005, much of the cost of production, distribution and telecoms was cleared by management at Longbridge. Now, we are self-supporting and reliant on any margin from Reunion Dinner tickets in good years, plus the yield from raffles and some special events and visits.
There being no annual membership fee (and we don’t want the admin. burden of having one), I have decided to supplement my 7.15 pence annual contribution by sending a cheque to our Treasurer * with a small extra amount. Your Committee has agreed that donations will be welcomed, but only on a modest scale and handled anonymously. Every little helps - -
Jon Nightingale (1954 – 58)
* If you would like to contribute to the future of our Association by making a small donation to help with Newsletter production, admin and distribution costs, then please make out your cheque in favour of ‘Austin Ex-Apprentices’ Association’ and post to our Treasurer :- Mr Kim Johnson, 4 Florence Avenue, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, WR9 8NJ.