No. 57 December 2014 YOUR NEWSLETTER FROM IMPAC

President Michael J Smedley
www.impac.org.uk
Member of the Occupational Pensioners’ Alliance affiated to the NFOP.
YOUR NEWSLETTER FROM IMPAC
IMPAC
No. 57 December 2014
THE END OF TRIENNIAL TRUSTEE ELECTIONS AFTER 23 YEARS
Up until April 1992 Imperial Tobacco had two pension funds; the Imperial Tobacco Pension Fund
(ITPF), and a Retirement Benefit Scheme (RBS). The ITPF was managed by a Committee of
Management all nominated by the Company.
In November 1991 it was decided to introduce one elected member from each of the employee and
pensioner groups into this Committee from February 1992. The first elections took place in November
1991 with an IMPAC member, the late Ted Hill, being successful as the pensioner representative and
Derrick Wragg, the Midland Region Chairman, being successful as the employee representative. They
took office in March 1992. The elections were overseen by the Electoral Reform Society and costs were
met by our Fund. Since then elections have been held every three years.
In April 1992 the two funds were amalgamated under this Committee of Management.
Imperial Tobacco Limited were ahead of legislation since in May 1997 the Government of the day made
the inclusion of elected representatives of the fund membership on any trustee board a requirement.
However there were escape clauses like, “unless it is too difficult”, that allowed many occupational fund
sponsors to ignore the requirement.
In August 1996 the Board of Trustee was formed with the then Committee of Management becoming
Trustees with the late Mike Huckman as Board Chairman.
This year should have seen the 9th election process. By now you may be aware that the decision has been
made by the Board of Trustees to select trustees from the nominations from ITL pensioner, deferred and
employee groups thus denying members the voting procedure. The PFCC in September was advised that
the selection process was under review and that they would be notified of the outcome within a few weeks.
This was done in early November confirming the cessation of the election process in favour of a selection
process together with a timetable for the 2014/5 nomination and selection process. IMPAC’s National
Council are concerned at the lack of consultation on this decision and the Company have agreed to an
extraordinary PFCC Meeting before the end of the year to hear IMPAC’s concerns.
TRIENNIAL VALUATION 2013 REPORT ANALYSIS
The end of March 2013 saw exceptionally low real interest rates that were the key factor behind the
dramatic £1,327m Fund deficit on the winding up basis. However a year later, the March 2014 Pension
Fund Report showed an estimated 10% improvement in the level of funding thus helping in reducing this
deficit.
Our concerns over Imperial Tobacco Limited (ITL) being our sponsoring company are now dispelled
with Imperial Tobacco Group (ITG) issuing a formal guarantee of our Fund. In view of the deficit
ITL/ITG have been required to improve funding at an ‘expensive’ time for them for at least the next three
years. This has the side effect of improving our Fund’s security at company expense. In addition there is
now an automatic trigger to double contributions should the Company credit rating be downgraded
which further strengthens our Fund’s security.
For the first time the Valuation Report took account of December’s RPI ever going negative whereas the
rules dictate that pension payments do not reduce in these circumstances.
Discussions with IMPAC’s Actuary confirmed that, providing we are confident of the strength of the
Company Covenant, our Fund is financially well safeguarded.
The crucial point that we have confirmed with IMPAC’s Actuary is that, based on the Company’s
financial promises we are better funded than virtually any other large private sector fund. On our Fund’s
winding up/buy out basis most other funds would be unlikely to reach 70% funding! Our focus should
therefore be on monitoring the ability of the Company to honour it’s promises in the future and to aid
our Trustees in this process.
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CHAIRMAN’S CORNER.
At the time of the last ‘Corner’ in June
IMPAC was in the middle of important
meetings on the Triennial Valuation. These
proved satisfactory but did highlight the
importance to us of the financial backing of
the Company. It is therefore good news to
report that the Company shares are making
new ‘highs’ over £29 and results have been
satisfactory. It is sad that this is
accompanied by factory closures in
Nottingham and in France. The closure of
the former Gallaher factory in Ballymena
recently announced brings to an end all UK
cigarette production.
The level of inflation as measured by the
CPI index remains very low and state
pensions will benefit from the guaranteed
minimum 2.5% increase next year. As you
will be aware, our next increase is dictated
by the RPI for the calendar year. We now
know that the 12 month figure to end
October was 2.3% November and
December figures last year were 2.6% and
2.7%. As these drop off the calculation it
looks like we will be lucky to get 2% next
April. Petrol is now £1.20 a litre near me!
One must admit that pensioners continue to
enjoy better increases than the average
worker.
I try to touch on some subject of personal
finance in each ‘Corner’. Regular readers
will know that I am a strong supporter of
Which?, the Consumers Association, in
particular Money Which?. The current
(November) magazine has a very detailed
and useful four page article entitled “The
Price of CARE”. The three big financial
issues of our lives are house purchase,
pensions and, if we are unlucky, residential
nursing care. The last of these is often the
most traumatic and complicated. Big
apparent
changes
making
some
improvements come into force from April
2016 but are only modest in actual effect. I
cannot start to cover the detail of the
subject for you here. Those faced with the
problem of helping a family member
should read the article, perhaps at the
library. It contains many useful links and
for all there is also a free and independent
website www.which.co.uk/elderlycare. You
can, for example, enter your postcode and
get information on care homes in your
locality and other wide ranging advice.
Some 153 homes are listed within 20 miles
of my postcode alone. I highly recommend
that you look at it even if you have to
consult a grandchild to find it!!
In September Scotland decided to stay in
the UK saving us from some very difficult
decisions on currency etc. I should have
mentioned above that the rules on
residential care are more generous there
with an un-means tested payment of £166
per week towards the personal care
element. Those wishing to ‘emigrate’ to
Scotland late in life to benefit from this
should note that the total weekly cost
charged by homes there is not very different
from the average for England of £589 per
week even if rather more help is given.
At the time of writing we have just received
at very short notice the new arrangements
for appointment of Member Nominated
Trustees. Consultative meetings are in
place and I reserve judgment at this point
until we receive more information. The
existing arrangements gave us a degree of
protection which we would clearly prefer to
continue.
A happy Christmas and prosperous New
Year to all and as usual a special thanks to
our many volunteers
Norman Ferguson
2015 AGM
The 24th IMPAC Annual General Meeting will
be held at the Gateway Hotel in Nottingham on
6th May 2015 at 2:00pm and will be preceded
by a Council Meeting. If you wish to have any
points raised at the Council Meeting please
contact your Regional Chairman or Lady
Chairman.
It may be possible to arrange regional transport
if the numbers of those wishing to attend
warrant it. Interested members should contact
their Regional Chairman and the matter will be
considered at the next IMPAC meeting in
February.
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2015 PFCC MEETINGS
The PFCC Meetings for 2015 were announced
by ITG as Wednesday 25th March and
Wednesday 9th September.
These will be held in Bristol with your
Regional Representatives attending.
Members having any questions for the PFCC
should contact their Regional Chairman or
Lady Chairman.
PRESIDENT’S TROPHY
The President’s announcement that Midland
Region would be handicapped for 2014/15 due
to recruitment opportunities offered by the
closure of the Nottingham factory, has led to a
concerted effort by the Midland Region
Committee.
They have risen to the challenge of this
difficult time and negotiated for access to the
500+ employees leaving ITL either for
alternative employment as deferred pensioners
or as new pensioners.
QUIZ ANSWERS
Answers to the Quiz in IMPACt 56.
1. HAVOC 2. NOMAD 3. KHAKI
4. MAJOR 5. IGLOO 6. PAGODA
7. ASTHMA 8. CHERUB 9. ORCHID
10. PERIOD 11. TAPIOCA
12. ALMANAC 13. BIVOUAC
14. GIRAFFE 15. CATARRH
16. REQUIEM 17. HORIZON
18. INFERNO 19. SHAMPOO
20. SAMOVAR 21. SULPHUR
22. HABITAT 23. REDOUBT
24. CONCOCT 25. JUJITSU/SHIATSU
26. ANTHRAX 27. FLUMMOX
28. EQUINOX 29. SATISFY
30. RHUBARB 31.FLAMINGO/
FANDANGO 32. APPLIQUE/ BARBEQUE/
BOUTIQUE/ COLLOQUE/CRITIQUE/
MYSTIQUE/ PHYSIQUE.
NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
The next meeting of Council will be held on
Wednesday, 18th February 2015 at the
Almondsbury Interchange Hotel, Bristol.
If you wish to have any points raised at the
Council Meeting please contact your Regional
Chairman or Lady Chairman.
OCCUPATIONAL PENSIONERS’
ALLIANCE
The London & South East Region Committee
Member, David Pilkington, represented
IMPAC at an OPA meeting held in Sunbury on
Thames on 16th October 2014. He has issued a
report on the meeting, that hosted two guest
speakers, for National Council. The Mirror
Group Pensioner Association has applied for
membership of OPA.
OPA is a group member of NFOP and their
respective websites are www. opalliance.org.uk
and www.nfop.org.uk. IMPAC receives copies
of the NFOP Newsletter. If any member wishes
to receive a copy of this Newsletter email the
Editor at tony@impac.org.uk.
BRAIN TEASER No. 25
How can you throw a ball as hard as you can
and have it come back to you, even if it doesn't
bounce off anything, there is nothing attached
to it, and no one else catches or throws it back
to you?
ELECTRONIC MAIL
If you prefer to receive IMPAC
communications via the internet access the
IMPAC website impac.org.uk and contact BPI
Associates at impac@bpiassociates.co.uk. To
protect your privacy email addresses are not
disclosed in the email communications that
announce a new communiqué on the website.
If you have opted for electronic mail and are
receiving none then please advise us using the
above contacts.
IMPAC WEBSITE www.impac.org.uk
The IMPAC website not only provides a
contact for IMPAC members but many nonmembers find the content of use in ITL pension
matters, since the website also enables direct
access to the Pension Fund Office and the ITG
Notice Board via the ‘Links’ page. There is
now a link to the Facebook Group ‘Imperial
Past and Present’ for members to use.
Your comments about the website, favourable
or otherwise, are always appreciated.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
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The Editor always welcomes your views on
pension matters and any new ideas for
IMPACt. You can write to Editor at The Cedars,
7 Leahurst Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham
NG2 6JD. You can also fax on 01159147337 or
email tony@impac.org.uk.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
The National Council continually review the
options for paying membership subscriptions.
Currently cheques and standing orders (SOs)
are the only means available. Direct debits
(DDs) are unlikely to become an option
because of the high level of administration
costs. With more members turning to ‘on-line’
transactions the internet option is under
constant review. The National Council are very
appreciative that members continue to support
their combined efforts to maintain members’
benefits and the security of our Fund.
these reserves.
Given the supply problems of our national
power providers the notion of being
self-sufficient is gathering speed. Already one
company, Flow Energy, has designed a boiler
with a built in generator driven by the waste
heat from the boiler. The notion of generating
one’s own electricity needs is not new but with
the debate on how to fuel new power stations
going around in circles it certainly is becoming
a real option.
Meanwhile a record £43m was paid this year
from household bills to ‘wind farm’ suppliers
for their generators to stand idle.
IMPAC REVIEW
The National Council have agreed to form a
sub-committee to review the way that IMPAC
functions in providing services to the
membership. The members of the
sub-committee are Simon Andrews (Scotland
Region) Bob Chamley (North East Region),
Neil Hopkins (Midland Region and Neil
Williams (London and South East Region). The
sub-committee is chaired by Simon Andrews.
The first meeting was held on the 19th
November 2014 in Edinburgh.
OVERSEAS NEWS
Since 1992 overseas fund members have
always been excluded from the triennial
nomination of pensioner and deferred
pensioner candidates for election to the Board
of Trustees but were included in the voting
process. The recent changes in the process for
the appointment of pensioner/ deferred and
employee Trustees negates this voting element.
Overseas fund members will be notified of the
outcome of the forthcoming selection process
in March 2015.
KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON
The question of maintaining power supplies in
the UK, especially over the coming winter, is
once again being aired.
This has generated a new expression
‘Brownouts’. We are familiar with ‘Blackouts’.
Those remembering the war will recall those
thick black/green curtains but now the word
means no power.
So what is a ‘Brownout’? When generating
stations are overloaded they reduce voltage to
maintain supply. You may have noticed your
house lights suddenly dim then come bright
again. If so, you have suffered a ‘Brownout’.
These sudden drops in voltage can damage
sensitive equipment such as set-top boxes,
wireless routers, digital clocks and computers.
Most desk top computer owners will have
already purchased a SurgeMaster (or similar) to
protect the voltage sensitive processor and
other internal components.
Apparently this winter the UK Generating
Board has 3% capacity in reserve. Next year it
is a predicted 2%. So any new buildings going
up near you will contribute to diminishing
NOTTINGHAM FACTORY CLOSURE
The Midland Region Committee have
organised a campaign to recruit employees
into IMPAC before they take early
retirement or are made redundant.
An ‘information’ area has been set aside in
the Factory. The Committee have negotiated
a space and a recruitment stand with
application forms and leaflets has been
created to attract recruits. Although IMPAC
is denied access, the Factory HR Department
have agreed to erect the stand, keep it
‘topped up’ and arrange collection of
completed application forms.
The stand will remain for the duration of the
closure period.
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ROYAL MAIL STAMPS
It’s that time for the annual reminder that Royal
Mail always scrap their next day delivery
promise between 6th December and 1st
January. So consider not wasting your money
on using first class stamps for any mail during
that period. All mail is treated as one class,
except the signed for recorded deliveries.
BRAIN TEASER NO. 25 ANSWER:
INSIDE ITG
‘Imperial Tobacco has secured its stable moat
status following positive full-year results as
equity analysts confirm the company is more
profitable than its peers.’
The Morning Star published this on 4th
November and went on to say that that
‘Imperial Tobacco More Profitable than
Competitors’ and results were almost exactly in
line with their (Morning Star) forecasts’.
ITG’s share price leapt by 110p the following
day and has been slowly gaining ground ever
since. This is good news for all ITPF members
and well done ITG who according to the
Morning Star ‘On profitability, too, Imperial
continues to punch its weight’.
We understand that the closure of the ITG
factory in Nantes, France, was not without
difficulties and needless to say that the
workforce in Nottingham are coming to terms
with the closure of their factory.
The advertising of e-cigarettes on television
from10th November offers a new challenge to
ITG who have been absent from the UK
advertising world for many years. The first
advert appeared during an episode of
Grantchester for VIP electronic cigarettes.
Throw the ball straight up in the air.
THE LIFE OF O'REILLY?
As in past years Ms O’Reilly looked at her last
year’s Christmas card list. Sadly she crossed
out the four names of those lost during the past
year. Buying and sending Christmas cards is
always an expensive business. A trip into her
nearest supermarket to buy cheap packs was a
2 hour job using the bus service. Her sister
Tilley was now too immobile to make the
journey. Any outing invariably involved her
wheelchair and pushing that was no easy
matter. In addition there were relatives on the
Christmas card list that warranted a card with
the personal touch. These had to be bought
separately and they came at a price.
She had heard of younger people taking
advantage of the internet to send electronic
cards but vowed she would never do that, even
if she could. She and Tilley were always
pleased to send and receive cards in the
traditional way. Some contained those annual
‘newsy ‘ round robin letters. She sometimes
wished that she had the facility to write and
print these for inclusion in her cards to those
whom she never saw from one year to the next.
But she consoled herself with the thought that
she would not have anything exciting to report.
Few visitors, no holidays and no ambitious
plans; only chores and coping with illness and
advancing years. Despite all this she had peace
of mind and was content. She and Tilley really
wanted for nothing as materially their needs
were simple.
They still made Christmas a special time. They
always prepared a Christmas tree and put up a
few decorations. Exchanging presents was
always a pleasure thanks to nephew Oswald.
He would always ask them individually what
they would like to buy each other. He would
make the purchases, gift wrap them and place
them under the tree along with his own. Always
some surprises to open on Christmas Day!
Ms O’Reilly double checked her Christmas
card list and put it in her handbag. She put on
her hat and coat and said her goodbyes to
Tilley. Collecting her shopping bag it was time
to catch the bus to the super market and be back
before dark.
5
PENSIONS NEWS
With October’s annual increase in the Retail
Price Index (RPI) at 2.3% the outlook for
December’s RPI is that it could be lower.
As you know this RPI increase determines the
ITPF pension increase from April 2015. At the
same time the Consumer Price Index (CPI)
annual increase for September was 1.2%. This
is the index used to determine the state pension
increase and GMP element of ITL pension
increase also from April 2015. However the
Government’s recent guaranteed minimum of
2.5% state pension increase should come into
effect.
The Chancellor’s welcome news in the last
Budget that those saving into a pension pot
were no longer bound to purchase an annuity
and could indeed access their pot at any time
turned out to have conditions attached. Many
are now finding out the detail in the small print
and realising that that there are penalties and
restrictions on access to pension savings.
The Chancellor’s prime aim is to raise money
taxed automatically at 20% and that they will
have to reclaim this tax from Her Majesty’s
Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
even if they have completed a form R85 in
respect of interest on bank and building society
deposits.
SAFETY FIRST
An article in IMPACt 52 drew readers’
attention to certain household appliances that
carried a manufacturer’s warning or recall. The
number of these appliances sold grows daily
and is now 4mill. The charity Electrical Safety
First have created a website listing these
appliances.
Visit www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/recall for
an appliance safety check.
through taxation. So when the Chancellor
seemingly offers us a spending opportunity
he’s already calculated his likely returns on
direct taxation and VAT of up to £3bill.
On the plus side there are savings to be made
on inheritance tax. Currently this is 40% on the
excess of any estate worth more than £325k for
an individual and £650k for a couple. Any
money bequeathed resting in a pension fund is
exempt. So any family facing a large
inheritance tax bill has the opportunity to move
cash savings or a personal pension into a
regular ‘draw down’ pension scheme to escape
from the tax. This offers the potential for
retirement cash to be passed to the next
generation free from inheritance tax. Sadly
these changes will not be available for the
many of our members who are already in
receipt of their final salary pensions. They are
of much more interest to succeeding
generations the great majority of whom are
now in direct contribution (DC) schemes or self
employed. However the complexity of
inheritance tax always demands expert advice
before any implementation.
A recent study on EU state pension schemes by
the International Longevity Centre UK ‘think
tank’ showed that the UK state pension is one
of the least generous. The basic weekly
£113.10 is typically one third of the average
income of a worker. This compares to Italy
giving two thirds and Greece equalling the
average income. The continued existence of
occupational and private pension schemes in
the UK contribute positively to the welfare of
UK pensioners.
SAVING IN ‘OLD AGE’?
Many of those over 65 still need the income
from cash assets. The Chancellor in his budget
last March announced the issue of Pensioner
Bonds for the ‘over 65s’ in January 2015
promising ‘top rates’ of interest. For many this
opportunity is the ‘only deal in town’ paying a
decent interest; and the Chancellor knows it as
he will watch the money pour in. Investors
should note, however, that interest on these 65
Plus Bonds will only be paid out at the end of
the period in question, i.e. after 1 year or after
3 years.
Non-taxpayer investors need to be aware that
all interest paid on these 65 Plus Bonds will be
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THOSE WINNERS AND US LOSERS!
Archives.
You need to hang on to your income tax
documents for 7 years just in case there are
questions. MPs’ expense records are now
shredded after 3 years. We might well conclude
that defrauding the taxman is considered more
than twice the crime as MPs defrauding the
public.
Save the NHS!
We are told that the NHS budget is not
adequate to meet its mounting bills.
So how can the spending of £2m to provide
members of the NHS England and Public
Health England Quango with iPhones and
iPads be justified? Training costs are also being
run up to teach those issued with the 4,300
iPhones and 345 iPads how to use them. This
Quango, set up by the coalition to save the
NHS money, is surely giving a lesson to the
NHS in spending.
Means testing.
Means testing for pensioners is always on the
political agenda. A recent report from the
King’s Fund ‘think tank’ chaired by Dame Kate
Barker recommends that free prescriptions, TV
licences and winter fuel allowance be stopped.
Furthermore pensioners who continue working
should pay NI contributions. This growing
trend now sees 20% of state pensioners staying
in employment. The report sees the cost
savings and additional revenue from the
proposed changes providing extra funding for
the Care System that, according to their report,
is ‘in crisis’.
London & South East Region – Chairman
Neil Williams tel. 01959 563 605.
email 1neil@impac.org.uk
If you have any questions about our Pension
Fund or IMPAC contact Neil.
What next?
Those people in Brussels have to justify their
existence. Not content with doing away with
light bulbs that gave light and vacuum cleaners
that picked up the dirt they are now looking for
emission control on petrol powered lawn
mowers and the like. Also from next spring the
list of prohibited high wattage devices is
thought to include powerful hair dryers and
electric kettles.
Midland Region – Chairman
Derrick Wragg. tel. 01773 789435
email derrick@impac.org.uk
The Midland Region AGM will be held on the
Tuesday 13th January 2015 at 10:30 at the
Wollaton Park Community Association. If you
have any questions about our Pension Fund or
IMPAC contact Derrick or email Secretary
John Kenton at
john-sue.kenton1@ntlworld.com
NATIONAL INFORMATION
President – Michael J. Smedley
email michaelj@impac.org.uk.
Chairman – Norman W. H. Ferguson
tel. 01275 372535
email norman@impac.org.uk
Secretary – Elizabeth Brimmell
tel. 01761 453926.
email elizabeth@impac.org.uk.
Treasurer – Nicholas Norman
mobile 07967467126
email nick@impac.org.uk
Pensioner Elected Trustees:
Robin Aspinall tel. 0208 9691639
email robin@impac.org.uk
Allan Russell tel. 01764 664805
email allan@impac.org.uk
Pension Fund Office:
tel. 0117 9530000
fax. 0117 9632860
Inland Revenue Office (ref. 794/BIT3)
tel. 0845 302 1483
Membership Agency:
IMPAC c/o 106a High Street, Codicote,
Hertfordshire SG4 8XE.
Tel: 0845 5050118
Email: impac@bpiassociates.co.uk
North East Region – Chairman
Stephen J Grant. tel. 01912 893944
email stephen@impac.org.uk.
If you have any questions about our Pension
Fund or IMPAC contact Stephen.
North West Region – Chairman
Anthony Macadam. tel. 0151 7 22 4807
email anthonymac@impac.org.uk.
If you have any questions about our Pension
Fund or IMPAC contact Anthony or Secretary
Barry C Stevens tel. 0151 7243336
email barry@impac.org.uk.
Scotland Region – Chairman
Simon Andrews. tel. 01334 828779
email simon@impac.org.uk.
If you have any questions about our Pension
Fund or IMPAC contact Simon, or Secretary
Colin Martin tel. 0141 7793796 or
email colin@impac.org.uk.
Western Region – Lady Chairman
Helga Hincks. tel. 01458-210024
email helga@impac.org.uk.
If you have any questions about our Pension
Fund or IMPAC contact Helga or Secretary
Alan Bowering tel. 01179 502434 email
acbimpacwr@sky.com.
REGIONAL INFORMATION
Eastern Region – Chairman Richard L
Hedley tel. 01652 655548
email richard@impac.org.uk.
If you have any questions about our Pension
Fund or IMPAC contact Richard or Secretary
David Dukes tel. 01652 6232137 or email
david@impac.org.uk.
Ipswich based members can contact
Committee member Terry Hiskey
tel. 01473 424280
Overseas – Tony Lowe is the UK co-ordinator
for all our Overseas Members Tony’s email
address is tony@impac.org.uk
IMPAC thanks all our Overseas Members for
their continued support.
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QUIZ CUBICLE
Answers will be published in the next IMPACt. If you can't wait - visit the IMPAC web site
www.impac.org.uk or contact the Editor.
1. What's the name of the period leading up to Christmas. ................................................................
2.
What was the name of John the Baptist's Mother? ........................................................................
4.
How many presents were given in total in the 12 Days of Christmas? .........................................
3.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Who brings presents to children in Holland on the 5th/6th December? ........................................
In what decade was the first Christmas Card sent in the UK? .......................................................
How many of Rudolph's eight companions names start with 'D'? .................................................
Who was the 'King of the Jews' who ordered the babies to be killed? ..........................................
What was Joseph's job? ..................................................................................................................
Who started the custom of Wassailing ('good health')? ..................................................................
10. Who were first group to visit the baby Jesus? ................................................................................
11. What's a lucky find in your Christmas Pudding? ...........................................................................
12. Which Angel visited Mary? ............................................................................................................
13. The carol "Silent Night" was written in which country? ...............................................................
14. Which country did "Good King Wenceslas" rule? .........................................................................
15. What was the last Beatles' Christmas number one? .......................................................................
16. Which Christmas plant has the Latin name"hedera"? ....................................................................
17. What fruit is used to make a Christingle? ......................................................................................
18. Why did Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem? ...........................................................................
19. What was first brought to England by William Strickland in 1526? .............................................
20. Which European country was the first to issue a Christmas stamp? .............................................
21. How would you make a chestnut into a "Marron glace"? .............................................................
22. What first went on sale as "Smith's bon-bons"? ............................................................................
23. Where does the Queen normally spend Christmas Day? ...............................................................
24. Where would you be if your Christmas gifts were bought by "Shengdan Laoren"? ....................
25. Which Pope in AD 320 declared December 25th to be Christmas Day? ......................................
Your National Council and Regional Committees
wish all IMPAC Members, a Merry Christmas,
good health and happiness in the coming New Year.
IMPACt is the official Newsletter of IMPAC. The Editor reserves the right to edit any
contribution or letter. Particular views expressed by individual members may not reflect
IMPAC’s policy as agreed by the elected Council.
Printed by The Print Quarter, 251 Exchange Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 6DD
8
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