The annual "Birmingham" reunion was held at the usual haunt, the Square Peg in central Birmingham in November.  

Approximately 30 people came together during the course of the afternoon and evening.  We had several "first timers" this year which was good.

 

A few pictures taken on the day:

(L-R) Julie Dale, Lynn Cooper, Dawn Adams, Sue DiMascio, Wayne Whitehouse, Jayne Cooper

 

 

A good time was had by all again.

The 2012 reunion is Saturday November 10th starting 1pm at The Square Peg, Corporation St, Birmingham

Report by

Craig Bowen

L.S.

The date for the traditional P&O Nedlloyd Rotterdam Christmas party will be December 1st 2011. As previous years doors will be open as from 17:00. We are still in discussions regarding a proper location, but it will be the area of the ‘Oude Haven’.

Please make proper reservations in your agenda’s, pass the word and bring your good spirits to also make this year’s X-mas do the happening of the year.

C U there, meet U there!

Final location will follow.

Many thanks to Craig Bowen for the report on the annual Birmingham office reunion...

 

The seventh Birmingham reunion took place in November of last year.  The first event had been organised by Rob Mills from the Birmingham Perry Barr office, with "invites" given out just before the office closed in late 2003.

 

 
The event is always timed to take place on the 2nd Saturday in November starting at 1pm.  The location is The Square Peg Bar in Birmingham City Centre and a good time is had by all.

 

 

The numbers and attendees have varied each year depending on what people are doing. We usually stay in the bar until say 7/8pm 'ish and then usually a few of us go for a meal.

 

 

The picture above right shows Julie Dale, Pat Bradbury and Veronica Campion.  In the picture below left is Craig Bowen with Beryl Whittle (switchboard).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This year we were also joined by Joan and Chris from the Liverpool office.  In the picture above right, Joan Squires is pictured on the right with Julie Dale and Mick Milne.

 

 

The PONLHeritage group have received the following report and a selection of photographs on the annual Christmas reunion for former staff in Rotterdam.

 

Our sincere thanks to Anné Padmos, Petra Veltman & Frans Tutuhatunewa (pictured right) for sending this on so it can be shared with ex-colleagues worldwide

_________ 

 

The happening of the year used to be the PONL Xmas drink that was organized by the PONL social club of the Rotterdam office. The Xmas drink was organized not only for the staff in the Willemswerf, but also for the Amsterdam and Belgium offices and always attracted a huge crowed for drinks, dinner and party. The setting was usually Plan-C of Cambrinus at the ‘oude haven’ (old port) in Rotterdam.

 

Since the Maersk take-over, some colleagues, who had meantime continued their careers elsewhere, used to regularly meet for lunch. It was during one of these lunches in 2007 that it was suggested to organize a similar Xmas drink for the ex-PONL Rotterdam crew. On November 25th 2010 the ex-PONL Xmas drink was organized for the third consecutive time.

 

Again a huge crowd of over a 100 paid a visit to Cambrinus to meet (former) colleagues. Of course there was talk about the old days, but also about the new challenges people faced. The event is also used as a networking site to seek new opportunities.
And the rumble continued to late at night…

 

We are looking forward to organizing the ex-PONL Xmas drink this year and hope for an even higher turn-up in 2011.

 

Anné Padmos, Petra Veltman & Frans Tutuhatunewa

 

Pim Heeres & Sonja Buskop

PONLHeritage has been pleased to publish the report on last week's reunion held in London (see SCARA 2010 Reunion Lunch for the story and Flickr for the photos).

 

We know that there are a number of these events taking place around the world and would welcome similar stories and pictures for other ex-staff get-togethers.

 

If you would like us to advertise your event in advance and/or would like to create a record of it here on the PONLHeritage site then all you have to do is to Contact Us.  We will be only too happy to help.

 

PONLHeritage Group