Who

Ian Fidler, Chairman

Prior to my employment with Sainsbury's I worked for British Airports, Bowater Corporation and Cummins Diesel Engines. I joined JS in 1981 as part of the HO Personnel Department before moving across to the Distribution Division 12 months later. I then spent the next 22 years in a variety of roles at HO, Buntingford, Basingstoke and Northern Region.

In 2004 I decided to try my hand at full-time enjoyment and, as the saying goes, have never looked back. As a man of leisure my principal diversions are golf, fishing, tennis, cooking, gardening and travel.

Chairman Contact Details

To contact the Chairman by email: ian.fidler@jsveast.co.uk

Graham Caughey, Treasurer and Activities Co-ordinator

He retired in 1994 after 14 years in the company. He worked in the Development Division as a senior projects manager. Sport has always been a very important part of his life, right back to his junior days through to International levels. At the present time golf is the main interest. He is currently President of the Suffolk Golf Union. This is an important commitment. He also enjoys cycling, walking and is a keen Bridge player. This leaves little spare time. However, he has kindly offered to join our regional team. He has observed that with thousand of veterans in our region, there must be many of you who are golfers. Golfers who would enjoy joining a Golf Society set up by our Region. "You do not need to be a Tiger woods", says Graham. You need to play off currently a 28 handicap, and provided we can get about 20 people, we can get started. Graham is expecting to run 2/3 golfing days a year.

Graham is also looking at Rambling clubs and any activities that you want to suggest. Please be in touch.

Treasurer Contact Details

To contact the Treasurer by email: graham.caughey@jsveast.co.uk

Cicely Pateman, Secretary and Events Co-ordinator

Cicely joined the Eastern Region Team as the Secretary and Events Co-ordinator. Having been at Thorley Store for 22 years, she retired in July 2006. As well as being a mother of 3, and a grandmother to 7, Cicely has also made time to be secretary of a Caravan Club. She is also a keen crafts woman, creating cross stitch and the like.

When the Bishops Stortford Local association was inaugurated, Cicely was installed as secretary and from that was invited to join the Regional Team. She will be in close touch with the local groups, requesting lists of planned events for the next year.

Events Co-ordinator Contact Details

To contact the Events Co-ordinator by email: region@jsveast.co.uk

Martin Cowan, Committee: Without Portfolio

I retired in 1996, eleven years ago having been with the company since 1967. I was based at Blackfriars but I was out and about quite a lot with my work on systems and similar topics. Those of you good at arithmetic will have judged by now that I am in my early 70s. Quite right! Certainly I am young enough to want to live an active, interesting and fun life. I hope you do as well.

When I retired, Angie, my wife, and I became visitors for the Veterans Association'. This was a wonderful privilege. We made so many good friends at that time. Times move on to where we now find ourselves. The establishment of Local Associations and Regional Groups lead us to the need for improved communications, group to group. This is why I am enthusiastic to set up a successful web site for our region

Committee Member Contact Details

To contact the Committee Member by email: martin.cowan@jsveast.co.uk

Paul Foulger, Welfare Co-ordinator

Within the Eastern Region I am the Welfare and Visitor Coordinator and as such serve on the JS Veterans Eastern Area Committee. I am also Chairman and Presenter of Residential Pre Retirement Seminars mainly for JS Employees. Outside the JS environment I am a member of the Cancer Peer Review team for the East of England; a Telephone Counsellor for the Colostomy Association; a member of the Chelmsford Cancer Services User Group, (I was a founder member and chair of the group which was set up in 2001 following my fight with cancer); Secretary of the Catering Controllers Group (Blue Chip Companies).

When working at Sainsbury’s I was responsible primarily for Staff Catering Facilities in all stores, Head Office and Distribution Depot Catering Services, Head Office Vending Services and the Directors Catering Service; Long Service Awards; 25 year Club; 40 year Luncheon; Sainsbury Staff Association; Veterans Welfare; Pre Retirement Education and Medical Services so you can see I have a wide range of experience for dealing with Veterans.

Welfare Co-ordinator Contact Details

To contact the Welfare Co-ordinator by email: paul.foulger@jsveast.co.uk

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