A weekly page to bring you up to date with the latest news and additions to the website

updated by the acting Website Administrator: John Jefferis

The following files have been amended or added to the Branch History files:

May 25th: A new file for Cannock and updates for Leeds Street Lane and Stockton Yarm Lane.

June 1st: June already, how time flies. This week we have new files for Corby and Ossett, and updates for Ipswich and High Street Stockton. Of the 281 branches, 237 have been published and of the 44 left 21 are close to completion. Of course, new information is arriving all the time so even the "completed" often need further work.

On the Friends for life page there are three Stockton ladies who met in the '80's and have met almost every week since. Not just sitting around over a pint or two, but actually getting out and about. Another couple from the '80's, Christine Andrews and Ruth Simpson, enjoying their trip to Lake Garda.

Manager Files

Dave Page has now 1,020 Branch Manager profiles on the Staff page. Microsoft have failed to correct the errors in their cloud, but Dave has re-formatted the file and it is now working much better.

Website and computer issues

The issues we have had with Microsoft OneDrive and now with the website hosts one.com have left us looking at the future of the website. One.com seem to have problems when we want images on the website AND for the website to be password protected. They acknowledge that there is an issue and are working hard to solve it. I am looking at another hosting system and will be doing some tests over the next few weeks.

PLUS magazine

The May 2025 edition is now available. click on PLUS Magazine in the index at the top of the page.

If you have any queries regarding PLUS contents, information or articles for publication, or wish to be added to Andrea's e-mail list please see our Contacts page

Other News

Merrion Way

Sad news of the removal of our identity from Merrion Way, posted on our facebook page on 9 September by Andy Prest

On 6 September a group of us at the Wetherspoons next door witnessed a large skip lorry exiting the premises. Stripping the fixtures and fittings has begun.

Some timely notes from Ian Whitfield:

I’d guess I’m not the only one reading this to have received some Virgin Money UK share buyout cash this week. Now before you put digit to keypad to send me yet another begging message they’ve not exactly been a stellar investment. Not even sure that they qualified to be termed an investment, more like a small act of charity on my part. I’d held onto them purely out of sentiment, which as I’m sure any Warren Buffet or Richard Branson would tell me if I could bear to listen, isn’t a sound basis for a punt on the stock market.

Yes I kept them simply because they represented a link (albeit what became an increasingly tenuous one) back to good ol’ YB. And just like the recent symbolic pre-demolition removal of the giant Flying Y from 20 Merrion Way, those share sale proceeds feel like the final full-stop at the end of a long chapter - the erasure of the final traces of what was a regional banking phenomenon.

All that’s left, other than preserved tangible remains in the shape of the odd YB carrier bag and promotional keyring are the memories, not least those shared via these pages and contained within the excellent YOBS website.

Now, where to reinvest my share proceeds windfall? – well the front-runner is currently BP.

If I time the markets right and beat the forthcoming budget I reckon I could get half a tank of unleaded...

Merrion Way reception area on 5 February 2025

Such a sad picture from Chris Curry on May 2nd

Dates for your diary

2025 Annual Lunches:

North East
Arrangements to be confirmed when possible

Leeds
As previously announced this lunch will take place on Friday 17 October and details will be announced in due course.

You'll find full details of the lunches in the January edition of PLUS which is available to read via the YOBS private website. You need to be registered with the website and have a user name and password before you can access it - please email me if you require further information. Failing that, I will email you a PDF copy of the lunches page upon request.

Best wishes from...
Andrea Wynne, Editor, PLUS

EAST YORKSHIRE LUNCH MEETINGS

Meetings take place on the third Wednesday monthly (except in August and December)

Venue: Cottingham Parks Golf & Leisure Club, Woodhill Way, Cottingham, HU16 5SW

Meet for coffee around 11 am, followed by a light lunch.

Next meetings:

18 June

16 July

If you'd like to attend please contact Jason Congreves by the Monday before each meeting
email jcandkt@jcandkt.karoo.co.uk
or Tel. 01482 645 869 (Leave name, number and message)