New Marine Superintendent for BP Hamble

BP Hamble Oil Terminal has appointed John Hamilton as the new Marine Superintendent to manage all marine operations. Since the age of 14 John has worked on or around the sea. He spent years travelling the world in the merchant navy before settling near Southampton to work for the marine unit of the army.

John has risen through the ranks at BP started working for BP Hamble as a Jetty Operator in 1991; becoming the Senior Operator in 1998, and then Marine Supervisor in 2000.

Daisy Pulls It Off!

Daisy Pulls it Off is a tongue-in-cheek look at the world of the girls' private school... and is the next production for the Hamble Players. For those who haven't been to a Hamble Players Production you are missing a great treat and a slice of village life!

For more information click here.

BP 100 Film Show

BP is a forward thinking company but sometimes it’s nice to just stop, sit down and watch the world go by. That’s exactly what 100 people from the local community did this month when they were invited to a free film show of ‘Centenary - The BP Story’ at the Hamble Village Memorial Hall.

There was a hint of yesteryear in the hall as the audience took their seats in the curtained hall to watch a projected image on a portable screen on a theatre show stage. The audience were treated to refreshments and watched the film courtesy of BP.

All in all a successful evening!

River Raid 2009 - 9th May

Hamble Sea Scouts issued their annual rowing boat challenge which proves to be a big splash.

PRE-registered teams competed in the up river race and sprint
heats off the Quay.

For more details see www.hambleriverraid.com

Point Source Wins Second Queen’s Award for Export

Hampshire-based fibre-optics company Point Source has been awarded a coveted Queen’s Award for Enterprise in recognition of its achievements in international trade. 

Point Source designs and manufacturers high-tech, precision laser equipment used in scientific and medical research.  It’s technology has played a part in ground breaking scientific projects including research on the NASA space shuttle, mapping of the human genome and the development of personalised medicine.

It is the second time that Point Source has won this major accolade.  In 2002 the company was awarded The Queen’s Award for Enterprise, in both the International Trade and Innovation categories.

Managing Director David Pointer praised his staff: "the dedication of the whole team here at Point Source, have led to the achievement.  I am very proud – we all are - to have won the Queen’s Award”.

Managing Director David Pointer (seated centre, holding Queen's Award glass bowl) with some of the Point Source team

Hoppy Easter!

BP Hamble Oil Terminal held an Easter Egg Hunt at St Andrew’s Churchyard, Hamble-le-Rice on Easter Sunday the 12th April 2009 to celebrate the 100 years of BP.

Charlotte Crook dressed as an Easter Bunny and with the help of BP work colleagues Sharon Coates and Ken MacCallum handed out 100 Easter Eggs to children who found 100 BP stickers hidden around the churchyard.

The hunt started as the St Andrews Sunday School ended, and those children were joined by others from the local community. The 100 eggs were found within 30 minutes and 100 kids had a very Happy Easter, and Charlotte’s was very Hoppy!

Photos; BP’s Charlotte Crook with Kayla Brooks and, BP’s Charlotte Crook with a small group of Easter egg hunters.

Beat the Beach Blues!

Hamble residents are organising a beach clean up on Saturday 4th April at 3pm. Starting at the Gun at Hamble Point car park and working their way down to Royal Victoria Country the group is looking for extra helpers to get involved.

Bonne Bouche are providing free tea, coffee and cakes for anyone that turns up to help and the King and Queen are putting on a BBQ at 6pm afterwards. The organisers are hoping it will be a really fun day - bring your children and dogs along!

For more information see http://www.ilovemybeach.org and or their facebook site (just search ilovemybeach).

The Circus Comes To Town!

Hamble Primary School Presents “Happy’s Circus”   Sat. 16th May 2009
This was a huge success in 2007 when the circus last visited the Hamble and is set to be even better this year.

Tickets are available to the community of Hamble, Netley & Bursledon. All tickets are priced at £10 each unless you are a Hamble Primary School pupil and use your special discount voucher entitling you to purchase tickets at £8 each from the school office only.

All monies raised will go towards replacing the timber trail for the children of the Primary school to enjoy.

If you would like to get involved, or for more information, contact Lisa Souter on 07906 686406.

Something Funny for Money!

BP Hamble Oil Terminal raised £600 in a lunchtime Welly Throwing competition in aid of Comic Relief. More than 40 entrants competed for the title, and fun and frivolity was had by all. The longest female throw was made by Caroline Cook with 17.5 metres, and the longest male throw was 28 metres made by Duncan Knight.

Their names will adorn the Wellington Boot trophy which will sit alongside a vast array of silver ware and other awards in the BP Trophy Room.

BP Hamble Oil Terminal Wins Award for Community Support

BP Hamble Oil Terminal has received an Award from Hampshire County Council for the support it gives to the governors at Hamble Primary School. A Certificate and Hampshire Hog plaque were presented to the Terminal Manager Mike Myden by Councillor David Kirk, Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services and John Coughlan, Director of Children’s Services at a special lunch in The Castle Room, Winchester.

Chapel Tristars 10th Anniversary

competition winners

BP Big Barge

BP proudly named the newest ship in the fleet recently. The Hamble marine team said, “We chose the name ‘Big Barge’ because it does exactly what it says on the tin, she’s not very elegant, and she’s a barge, and we can shorten it to BPBB”. The name was suggested by Aaron from Hamble Primary School, who was presented with a ships bell and a gift voucher by BP’s Loading Master David King and the Terminal Manager Mike Myden. Amelia and Elizabeth were the runners up and were also presented with gift vouchers for their clever suggestions.

‘Big Barge’ is ex-MOD, and dates from 1960’s. She, and the barge is affectionately referred to as a she, will be used to store essential oil spillage prevention equipment which would be used in the unlikely event of an emergency. BPBB will be moored at the end of the jetty alongside brackets which have been specially added to existing piles.

Captain Welborn, Lt Cdr Griffiths
and Skipper Easterby teaching Map Skills

Sea Scouts Pass Inspection

Captain Welborn and Lt Cdr Griffiths recently completed an inspection of the Hamble Sea Scout group and the group passed with flying colours!  They were very complimentary and there follows a series of extracts from the inspection report;

The group have a full and active program with many explorers achieving high levels of qualifications in power, sail and kayaking.

The group has an impressive fleet of boats, probably the largest of any group within the scheme, and undertake the full range of water activities.  Both RYA and BCU recognised the scouts and explorers gain a wide range of experience and qualifications.

The leadership team is very strong, highly qualified, experienced and works well together.  There is a good mix of youth and experience within the team.  They are supported by a very strong and well led group executive and enjoy full parental support.

This was a first class, well organised, inspection of an excellent Sea Scout Group who fully earn and deserve RN recognition.  Well done.

Cricket Club Fixtures Announced

The new season's fixtures, to be played at the pavilion are posted here...

BP in Faultless Performance

BP Hamble Oil Terminal has just undergone a thorough inspection by the BP top brass, and its’ performance was faultless. European Logistics VP Wolfgang Langhoff; the UK Logistics Manager Nigel Wardle and the Continuous Business Improvement Manager Steffen Kropp were impressed with it all. The group toured the site with Terminal Manager Mike Myden and Marine Superintendent Captain Emma Tiller. Among the many aspects of the terminal they also inspected the new bio-ethanol storage tanks which are being constructed to comply with UK government legislation.

Hamble will Miss You..

For the past 20 years BP Hamble Oil Terminal’s PR Advisor David Dawes has been the main link between the site and the local community.  David has worked for BP for over 40 years and when it came to hanging up his hard hat all he wanted was a quiet celebration with a few friends and colleagues, but the event was far from quiet and David, who collects and makes walking sticks, was presented with a 19th century sword stick to add to his collection of 250.

Dave Dawes left Fleet Street in March1967 to join the Shell-Mex and BP press office to help promote the BP image in the UK which was then dominated by the Shell brand. He and his team then oversaw the promotion and publicity of the formation of BP Oil in 1976. Throughout the 80’s David became more involved with the developments at the Hamble Oil Terminal, and in 1988 he retired as the head of Press and Public Affairs in London to take on a two year stint helping the  local community adapt to the coming of crude oil from the Wytch Farm oilfield.In 1990, having developed the Terminal’s PR policy he was again prepared to retire but was asked by management to continue on a part time basis. This he did – for nearly 20 years! Just before Christmas 2008, at the age of 79, he decided that the 60 mile journey to and from his home at Woking was becoming too tiring and he made the decision to retire – for the final time.

Terminal manager Mike Myden said, “David, is one of the nicest people I have ever met, me and everybody at the terminal will miss him. We wish him the best of luck in his retirement"

European Stars

Christmas saw BP Hamble Oil Terminal staff awarded two stars to Sharon Coates and Dave Whittaker. Sharon was awarded a Bronze European Star for the voluntary work she does with the local community and particularly Hamble Primary school and Dave was awarded his for mentoring trainee members of the Hamble marine team.

Both were nominated for their dedication and ceaseless enthusiasm by BP’s Captain Emma Tiller.

Nat West Bank Robbery

A local man has been charged after an attempted armed robbery at the local Nat West Bank in the High Street, after he demanded cash and threatening one of the two female clerks with a knife.

The raider fled with a quantity of money, but police swooped on the village and deployed the force spotter plane, and the man was arrested just half an hour later, near Hamble Marina.

For more detail read the Daily Echo account of the incident here...

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Tapestry Group

The St John's Tapestry Group are currently creating a new tapestry depicting the history of the BP Hamble Oil Terminal. They welcome new members and have an open invitation to join them on 11th December. if you are interested in joining them please click on the link here to find out more...

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BP's John Takes It Off!

From the moment Ann Margaret Phillips came home from hospital Macmillan Cancer Support were there to make her final weeks as comfortable as possible. So her son John Phillips who works for BP in Hamble resolved to show his gratitude by starting a sponsored slim and he’s already raised £1260!

John who has raised the money by eating healthier and exercising more said, “This is my way of thanking Macmillan, they were there from the moment mum came home, they gave mum anything and everything she needed”. Katie Blake who received the money replied, “Everyone is affected by cancer, we are so grateful to John and everyone at the terminal for this money”.

The money will be used to buy much needed equipment, or pay for nursing staff, or to staff the Macmillan Information Centres which offer a wide variety of support to patients and families.

Hamble Common Beach Warden's Scheme

A new and exciting project based around the conservation and wildlife preservation of Hamble Common commences in January.

The project involves practical tasks, training sessions, wildlife monitoring and reporting and community events  - so there's something for everyone.  An information evening is being held on the 9th December for people to find out more.  Please click below for a copy of the leaflet and keep looking out on the website for more information.

PDF leaflet here or contact Katy Dudman on 02380 769719