The Magazine for Retired Aramcons ISSUE 09

AUTUMN/WINTER 2014

A NATURALIST'S DIARY

As winter bites, Colin Knight likes to look back and remind himself what fun he has had in the natural world.

PLANNING CONTINUES FOR THE 2015 REUNION

The Reunion Organizing Committee has been making preparations...

ASHEVILLE REUNION

Nearly 360 retirees and family members turned out for the 29th biannual Saudi Aramco Annuitants Reunion.

ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR

Our thriving community has threads which link us to its past through unique traditions...

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OUR LAST REUNION!At long last the fifth Ukaramcons Reunion is here

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Intro | Message from the MD

So far, so good...

Fellow Aramcons,

After more than seven months in my role here at AOC, I now feel like I have my feet well and truly under the table. As Managing Director, I can appreciate just how important a role our offices play outside of the Kingdom and how relations are maintained with former Aramco colleagues.

I know that 2014 has proved a busy one on the reunion front, on both sides of the Atlantic. This year’s Ukaramcons reunion was particularly special, as it was the fifth and final occasion that Tom Henderson and his wife Eileen acted as hosts.

I would like to personally thank them for their efforts over the years; these past reunions would not have been as successful without their valuable time and input. Also, a warm welcome to our new hosts Jim and Veronica Anderson and Michael and Sue Higgins, who I would like to thank in advance for the support they will be providing.

It is particularly heartwarming to have such dedicated former employees who continue contributing to Aramco and underline why we describe employees as part of our ‘family’. Your efforts will always be acknowledged and appreciated.

2014 has been a unique year in many ways, though similar to many others, as the Aramco business continues on its quest to being the biggest and brightest energy company globally. Reaching this target has been the result of years of hard work and endevour by employees past, present and future. Indeed, your time working for Aramco remains a valuable component of this journey.

I hope that you enjoyed yourselves over the festive period and I wish you the best of luck for 2015…

Fahad Al Abdulkareem Managing Director, AOC

Message from the MD

Cover photo

5th UKaramcons Reunion, September 11, 2014

Alaela (Family) is produced for annuitants, families and friends of Saudi Aramco and Aramco Overseas Company (AOC) as well as its associated companies by AOC B.V.

Managing Director Fahad Al Abdulkareem Head of Public Relations Fahad Toryf Editor Kimberly Groat Assistant Editor Edward White Design Dhub Contributors Muazzin Mehrban, Adil A. Al-Sadiq, Martin Wingrove, Eileen & Tom Henderson, Donna Morris, Arthur Clark, Julianne Eveland, Alison Hooker, Colin Knight, Jessica Weirmier

For those who prefer a digital format, Alaela can be read online at our corporate website: www.aramcooverseas.com. Meanwhile,your comments and suggestions are welcome, which should be sent to alaela@aramco.com

Address correspondence to: The Editor, AlaelaAramco Overseas Company UK Ltd.10 Portman SquareLondon W1H 6AZ

NB: Autumn/Winter 2014 ISSN 2044-4982ISSN 2044-4982

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ContentsMessage from the MD Fahad Al Abdulkareem

Japan - the Gateway to Asia An eye on Saudi Aramco’s projects in “the Land of the Rising Sun.”

Saudi Aramco's Architectural Innovation in Saudi Arabia Maybe not so many people realise that the company’s achievements aren’t limited to facilities for the production and processing of oil and gas. Our Last Reunion! At long last the fifth Ukaramcons Reunion is here… York here we come! Every reunion has been slightly different – will this one be as good as the last?

Friendships Revisited Donna Morris reminisces about attending her first UK Aramco reunion in York.

Annuitants Celebrate ‘Wonderful Years’ in Mountain Reunion Nearly 360 retirees and family members turned out for the 29th biannual Saudi Aramco Annuitants Reunion, in Asheville, N.C., Sept. 5-8, refreshing memories and rekindling friendships at the classic 101-year-old Omni Park Grove Hotel.

Planning Continues for the "Welcome Home!" for 2015 Expats Reunion in Saudi Arabia Dhahran – In the spring edition of Alaela we announced that planning was well under way for the highly anticipated 2015 KSA Expatriate Reunion to be held in Saudi Arabia March 9th– 20th, 2015.

All the Fun of the Fair! Any thriving community has threads which inextricably link its past to its present through the development of particular and unique traditions, and Saudi Aramco is no exception.

A Naturalist's Diary As winter starts to bite Colin Knight likes to look back over the year and remind himself what fun he has had in the natural world.

Happy New Year A new year's greeting from Fahad Al Abdulkareem.

Welcome to Salalah! Located on the Southwestern-most tip of Oman in the Dhofar region, Salalah welcomes visitors with Hawaii-like breezes blowing through coconut and banana plantations.

In Memorium Remembering Ian MacLeod and Rosemary Nelson.

Capture the Moment Aramco's trailblazers delivering supplies.

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Intro

Features

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Intro | Japan - the Gateway to Asia

Japan - the Gateway to AsiaAn eye on Saudi Aramco’s projects in “the Land of the Rising Sun”

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TOKYO — The value of work is deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Whatever difficulties they face, it is a dedication to hard work that has pointed to success for centuries in the island nation.

That work ethic has paved the way for an economic cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Japan, but the relationship between the two countries has gone beyond mere trade; it is a bond between a developing country and an industrial giant in search of markets and sources of energy.

Saudi Aramco has played a key role in providing Japan with the energy it has needed to become one of the world’s major industrialized nations. The partnership between the company and Japan goes back more than three decades.

Recently, that partnership has grown. In 2012, Saudi Aramco’s launched Aramco Asia-Japan (AAJ) as part of a new phase in the realisation of the

company’s vision of becoming a key source of energy and chemicals in the Far East, helping to achieve its strategic intent of becoming a leading global and integrated energy and chemicals company by 2020 — the goal of the Accelerated Transformation Program (ATP).

Currently, the Kingdom exports 1 million barrels per day of crude oil to Japan, or 30 percent of Japan’s total crude oil imports — and Saudi Aramco’s business in Japan is growing enormously. Since December 2010, the company has used a site for commercial crude oil storage in the island of Okinawa. The total capacity of the leased crude oil tanks is 6.3 million barrels.

Aramco Asia-Japan: a lever for energy projects

Asia is a major market for Saudi Aramco’s crude oil and petroleum products and is also one of the main destinations of Saudi Aramco’s sales, establishing another important role for the AAJ office: making it a lever for Saudi Aramco projects in the country.

In recent years, steady growth has made East Asian markets the main marketing outlet for Saudi Aramco’s petroleum products. Meanwhile, East Asia is one of the most important suppliers of operational materials and services to Saudi Aramco, contributing to the development of the Saudi economy and supporting economic growth throughout the Asian region.

Previously, two Saudi Aramco subsidiaries, AOC and Saudi Petroleum Ltd., did business in Japan. The establishment of Aramco Asia merged these subsidiaries into AAJ, a step that came with a variety of challenges.

Though it may be new, AAJ has achieved a number of breakthroughs in growth and expansion. Regional partners welcomed the launch of AAJ, with the launch decision described as "timely and crucial" to provide more opportunities for the Kingdom and the Far East, as well as for Saudi Aramco and local companies.

On July 13, 2012, Khalid Al-Buainain, senior vice president of Technical Services (who was then Saudi Aramco’s senior vice president of Downstream), opened the offices of AAJ at a gathering of 300 guests in Tokyo.

“The establishment of this company is a testimony to Saudi Aramco’s firm commitment to the Japanese market,” said Al-Buainain.

“The newly established company is based on the long term and strong relationship between the two countries. The scope and focus of the company will go beyond oil trading and procurement to include other areas, such as research and development, and taking advantage of mutual investments in new technology and the Capital Power Initiative, which was recently launched to support the energy industry.”

Words Adil A. Al-Sadiq

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Deepening Saudi Aramco’s presence

“As part of expanding our business on a global scale, Saudi Aramco’s subsidiaries all over the world are offering a wide range of services, including marketing of crude oil, natural gas liquids and chemicals, as well as coordination of joint ventures, procurement, inspection, research and development, project management, development of human resources, public and government relations, and communications,” Ahmed Al-Subaey, executive director of Marketing, Supply and Joint Venture Coordination, said in a recent interview.

“Through Aramco Asia’s regional offices, we continue to deepen our presence in one of the fastest rising regions of the world. These international projects will continue to play an important role in Saudi Aramco’s transformation into a world leader in the field of energy and chemicals by 2020.”

Regarding Saudi Aramco’s operations in Japan, Al-Subaey said: “Saudi Aramco owns, through one of its subsidiaries, a 14.96 percent interest in Showa Shell, one of Japan’s largest refining companies. Showa Shell’s share price increased by 115 percent in 2013, which substantiates the prevailing optimism in the market about the future of Showa Shell business. Showa Shell has also outperformed its counterparts in the field of solar energy.”

It was Solar Frontier, a subsidiary of Showa Shell, that succeeded in 2012 in installing a 10.5 MW solar power system in Saudi Aramco’s Al-Midra office complex in Dhahran. More than 120,000 solar panels were installed above the sunshades in the parking area for the production of clean energy for the building.

constructive meetings with the competent authorities,” says Al-Khunaini.

“There is no doubt that Eastern Asia has a promising economic future, and we are betting on our students who are getting their degrees there and who will take over leadership positions in the company and its subsidiaries worldwide. Current numbers support our vision and views on East Asian countries and India, where there is an economic boom.”

Emerging markets

Yuya Katsumata, manager of the Marketing Services Department, recently completed 10 years of service with Aramco Asia-Japan.

Katsumata says that when he started working at Saudi Petroleum Ltd. in Tokyo in 2004, he was only responsible for crude oil sales, but since the merger and the birth of Aramco Asia-Japan, he has assumed responsibility for the marketing of other products as well.

The department now deals directly with some departments in Dhahran, such as the Crude Oil Marketing and Sales Department and the Joint Venture Coordination Department. Katsumata coordinates the agreements and contracts for commercial crude oil storage tanks in Okinawa.

“This is just the beginning,” he predicts. “I am sure that the company will grow bigger and expand its business in the Far East. Crude oil marketing and sales will reach all markets.

“Despite the differences in cultural backgrounds and regimes between

The Kingdom exports a total of 1.2 million barrels of crude oil per day to Japan and Taiwan, which also falls within the responsibilities of AAJ. Although Saudi Aramco’s initial presence in Japan was mainly for the sale of crude oil, the company’s portfolio is expanding, especially at a time when Saudi Aramco is moving toward development and change through the application of the ATP initiatives.

“We are always searching for new advanced technologies that serve Saudi Aramco’s operations, and we then find ways to transfer such technologies to the Kingdom to support the company’s existing businesses or the mega-projects that are carried out from time to time,” says Al-Khunaini.

The relationship between the Kingdom and Japan supports the company’s marketing plans for Japan and the Pacific Rim countries in a direct translation of the objectives of the ATP, which emphasizes the importance of developing and driving the marketing of the company’s petroleum products globally.

“There are three primary reasons for our presence in Japan and the formation of these three companies in the Far East on the coast of the Pacific Ocean,” says Al-Khunaini.

“The first reason is our customers. They are the basis for our presence in Japan, and we drive our attention to them,” he says. “We regularly communicate with the heads of companies to emphasize the importance of joint action and to strengthen our relationships with them. Our relationship with companies in particular does not take the form of a relationship between a supplier and a customer; rather, it is partnership and simultaneous communication at an individual level.

other offices in Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, London and New York. Then, the department staff consolidates these reports into one comprehensive report for submittal to the pricing committee, which in turn, announces the prices,” he explains.

“As for me, I constantly monitor market activities, and I conduct face-to-face interviews with marketing staff and customers.

“Pricing is my daily work, and the nature of this work is especially dynamic to cope with the circumstances of the markets. The process strives to satisfy customers, fulfill their needs, maintain and increase our profits, and strengthen our presence in the market.”

An eye on the market

Athena Huna, an assistant in the Marketing Services Department, is named after the Greek capital where she was born and lived until she was 3 years old. Her father was a pilot stationed in Athens.

Her work is focused on marketing crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) products. She also updates all the data and information on LNG on a daily basis and contributes to the preparation of specific reports and tables on markets and price comparisons. She makes daily comparisons between prices and movement of products.

One of her duties is the preparation of a weekly report on LNG, participation in the preparation of reports on Asian market conditions, customer registration and collection of relevant information, as well as the creation of infographics for such reports to help make them more informative and helpful.

Huna, who speaks fluent English after attending high school for a year in Rhode Island where she lived with an American family, also coordinates the visits of business delegations to her department.

She recalls the learning curve involved when she joined Saudi Petroleum three years ago.

“When I first started, I had not experienced working with Arabs and Saudis, and I had no knowledge of their customs and traditions. However, in time, I began to adapt and explore the Saudi culture to better understand my work colleagues. I came to know that they are educated and knowledgeable about the world and work, and that they are professionals. In short, I can say that Saudis are positive and wonderful.”

History of cooperation

Consultant Koike Hideki is retiring after 32 years of continuous service. He has two daughters; the first is in Santa Monica, California, in the U.S. working toward a master’s degree, and the second daughter works for Apple, Inc. in Tokyo.

Challenges

“The creation of Aramco Asia-Japan was not easy, in fact, we had many challenges,” said Ahmed Al-Khunaini, representative director of AAJ.

“We have been in Japan for nearly 35 years, which brought the company to a high level of professional and business maturity in the performance of its basic mission: the sale and marketing of crude oil and petroleum products in Japan and other Asian countries. However, other aspects of the business are as important as — and complementary to — the sale of oil. Our business in Japan has grown into the best professional experience in terms of import and export during the past three decades, and Saudi Aramco and Aramco Asia-Japan are very proud of their reputation for reliability, which bolstered their presence in Japan as an important and essential source of energy.”

“The second reason is the suppliers and contractors from whom we import materials and equipment. We communicate with them through the Strategic Procurement and Logistics Department. We are always working to strengthen our relationship with those suppliers to ensure continued support for the company’s operations in the Kingdom,” he says.

The third reason is centred on proposed or independent partners. Al-Khunaini notes the company always encourages Japanese investors to invest in various fields in the Kingdom, from infrastructure to the transfer of advanced technologies from the development of robust and effective communication channels with Japanese business sectors.

“Our role is not limited to encouragement; we also bridge the gaps in viewpoints and give a detailed explanation of the nature of business in the Kingdom. In addition, we help Japanese investors by arranging

some Asian countries, they all agree on the vision and strategic goals of building economic systems, opening new markets, and developing new technologies that can be employed to serve the prosperity of the peoples.”

Marketing of petroleum products

The Marketing Services Department assumes, among other things, the responsibility for marketing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Takuro Abe, head of the Product Marketing Services Division, describes the current energy markets as “dynamic and complex".

“As part of my job in LPG marketing, I send reports to the Department of Crude Oil Marketing and Sales in Dhahran, and so do officials in

“We are always searching for new advanced technologies that serve Saudi Aramco’s operations, and we then find ways to transfer such technologies to the Kingdom to support the company’s existing businesses or mega-projects”

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Intro | Japan - the Gateway to AsiaIntro | Japan - the Gateway to Asia

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Koike Hideki is known, loved and respected by the employees of AAJ. His colleagues turn to him for advice in work-related matters. He retains in his memory the history of cooperation between the Kingdom and Japan.

“The first economic relationship between Japan and Saudi Arabia dates back to 1958 when the Arabian-Japanese Oil Company was founded in Al-Khafji (in the neutral zone between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait). I was a member of a delegation that visited the Kingdom in 1973. The goal of the visit was to study the conditions for the establishment of a joint venture between Japan and the Kingdom in the field of petroleum.”

employees,” says Komatsu, who holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the Japanese University of Sofia.

This family atmosphere was no more apparent than the day of the earthquake and ensuing tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, 2011.

“It was a disaster for the Japanese people,” says Komatsu. “Many foreigners decided to return to their countries. We felt that the world had forsaken us and left us to face that devastating disaster on our own. However, the one thing that I will never forget is that at a time when so many people were leaving Japan that the airports were jammed, Khalid A. Al-Falih, Saudi Aramco’s president and CEO, came to Japan to offer his consolation to each and every one of us in our offices. We were all touched by that visit that made us feel very proud to be members of Saudi Aramco’s larger family. It even made a strong positive impression on our families, as well as the contractors and suppliers with whom we deal.”

In the next installment of our Far East series, we will highlight the operations of the Quality Management Department in Japan and its role

responsibility of AOC in the Netherlands, and so was the management of logistics contracts. Now, all these tasks are our responsibility. We have also become responsible for the search for new suppliers to cover all of Southeast Asia.

Regarding working with Japanese employees, Al-Hilal says: “Japanese employees never cease to amaze me: their performance is characterised by accuracy and loyalty. They have a great sense of responsibility toward their work, to which they devote all their effort and time.”

‘Saudi Aramco’s family’

Yoshiko Komatsu joined the Procurement Department at the Saudi Petroleum Overseas Company in 1992 as a purchasing assistant and has since seen the number of employees increase almost seven-fold.

“Faces and names change around here, but one thing remains unchanged, and that is the fact that I have always been, and will always be, proud of my work in this company, which I consider a family for all

Images on previous pages

1. Japan has some of the biggest cities in the world

2. The 100-year-old Tokyo Train Station has been recently renovated. The main station in Tokyo handles more than 3,000 trains daily

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3. The Golden Pavilion, near Kyoto, is one of Japan’s most famous touristic attractions. The pavilion is the most representative of all of Japan's historical buildings

“Our role is not limited to encouragement; we also bridge the gaps in viewpoints and give a detailed explanation of the nature of business in the Kingdom."

In 1984, an office was established for Petronal (Petromin International) in Tokyo, covering all business in Japan, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore. The company’s head office was located in London, with branches in several cities such as New York, Houston, Singapore and Tokyo.

The year 1990, Hideki says, was a turning point in Japanese-Saudi economic relations. The Kingdom offered to sell crude oil directly to Japanese oil companies instead of those companies having to buy oil from major companies such as Shell, Mobil and Chevron. As a result, Japanese companies were able to cancel their contracts with those companies.

In the same year, Saudi Petroleum Overseas, a subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, opened a new office in Tokyo. The office was headed by several managing directors from Saudi Aramco, and in 1993, the company’s name was changed to Saudi Petroleum Ltd.

Hideki noted other examples of the cooperation between Japanese institutions and Saudi Aramco.

“There are some academic centres and institutions that have long-standing relations of cooperation with the Kingdom and Saudi Aramco, such as the Japan Center for Cooperation with the Middle East, and the Japanese-Saudi Friendship Association.”

The mechanism of action

Nasser Al-Hilal, who works in the Strategic Procurement and Logistics Department, says there have been significant changes in the nature of the work.

“Since we became Aramco Asia-Japan, the pace of work quickened and its scope expanded. Our responsibilities, as a result, increased. For example, our purchases in the region increased by 350 percent in 2013 compared to 2012. In the past, we used to look for and buy the materials, and Aramco Overseas Comoany (AOC) in the Netherlands would pay the bills. Now, the situation is completely different; we are responsible for everything — contracts and payments, among others things. Also, management of travel services and their related contracts were the

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in ensuring quality assurance in Projects, Inspection, Support Services and Strategic Studies. Also, we will highlight the activities of the Industrial Management Department, amongst others.

Intro | Japan - the Gateway to AsiaIntro | Japan - the Gateway to Asia

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Intro | Saudi Aramco’s Architectural Innovation in Saudi Arabia

Words Martin Wingrove

Intro | Saudi Aramco’s Architectural Innovation in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Aramco’s Architectural Innovation in Saudi Arabia

The sight of Saudi Aramco’s impressive mega oilfield plants and communities are of course familiar to all of us who have lived and worked in Saudi Arabia. However, maybe not so many realise that the company’s achievements aren’t limited to facilities for the production and processing of oil and gas. Saudi Aramco has, over recent years, embarked upon many major projects on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and these have been just as impressive.

So I thought for this edition, rather than boring you with a lot of words, I would share with you some pictures of the innovative and beautiful architecture which, courtesy of Saudi Aramco, has changed the skyline of the Kingdom.

I’m sure most of you will have heard of KAUST, The King Abdullah University for Science and Technology in Jeddah. It was built by Saudi Aramco in just 1000 days - from groundbreaking in October 2007 to inauguration by King Abdullah in September 2009 and no mention of Saudi Aramco’s architectural achievements would be complete without a photo of the beacon. Lit up at night it is a truly impressive feature overlooking the sea. I took these pictures myself on a visit last year and they are now the screensaver on my mobile phone.

With a very different look, the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre (KAPSARC) is already an iconic landmark in Riyadh. It was designed by Zaha Hadid (who to those in the know is a world renowned architect). KAPSARC was a vision of King Abdullah ‘to create an independent centre to conduct objective and scientific research in the field of energy’. Charged in 2008 with developing KAPSARC from an idea into a reality, the first phase of the facilities opened for business in 2012 and the entire complex was completed earlier this year. .

If you drive the road North from Jeddah airport (towards KAUST in fact) and look to the right you will see the King Abdullah stadium located 60 kilometers north of the city. Built by Saudi Aramco the facility opened officially on May 1, 2014 and the main stadium houses 62,000 spectators with smaller sports venues hosting athletics and indoor sporting events. Nicknamed The Shining Jewel it is indeed impressive.

However, based on this success, Saudi Aramco has now been charged with the challenge of constructing 11 more sports stadiums by 2017. These will be built right across the country in Madinah; Eastern Province; Northern Border Province; Hail; Tabuk; Al-Jouf; Baha; Najran;

Jazan; Asir; and Qassim. Design is just beginning, but if you search for ‘Saudi Stadiums’ on the web you will be able to keep track of progress.

Pretty impressive I think! Next edition I will be looking back at some of the Company’s oilfield achievements of 2014. But hope you enjoyed these images as a change from my usual contribution.

Drive into Saudi Aramco Dhahran through the Al Rabia gate and the skyline has certainly changed. Although not scheduled for completion until 2016, The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture is already taking shape! Designed by a Norwegian architect, the components below ground – including the museum – focus on the past. Components at ground level, such as the performing arts spaces, represent the present and the Knowledge Tower, which includes the Lifelong Learning Center, the future.

The façade uses stainless steel tubes that are individually formed and then wrapped around the building, while the rammed earth foundation creates a fireproof, soundproof, well-insulated space.

Images on these pages

1,2. The King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST)

3. The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture

4. King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre (KAPSARC)

5. King Abdullah Stadium

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Our Last Reunion!Thursday, September 11, 2014 - At long last the fifth Ukaramcons Reunion is here… York here we come! Every reunion has been slightly different – will this one be as good as the last? Will it at least stay dry?

Words Eileen Henderson

Feature Story | 5th UKaramcons Reunion Feature Story | 5th UKaramcons Reunion

Last night the car was packed with everything from Pritt Stick to the printer in typical Henderson (T) fashion to cover all eventualities! The lounge now resembled what it should be instead of a storage unit!

Breakfast at McDonalds, then on our way just gone 8.00am. Not surprisingly the car was noticeably heavy to drive and I had first leg. Thankfully it was a lovely morning and the traffic was steady on the M1, M18 on to the A1, changing over with Tom about half way.

Arriving at the Holiday Inn on Tadcaster Road, York, just after 10.00am, we knew our room would not be ready but much to our surprise Anna, the manager, had delegated a downstairs room for our use from Thursday until Sunday. Perfect! Everything had already arrived from AOC plus some of our load was decanted into the room so we could begin putting together the welcome packages for registration starting later that day. This consisted of an I.D. badge, T-shirt, the cookbook, ‘Cooking up a Storm’ compiled by Alison Hooker for the ladies, and for the men the book

‘The Caravan Goes On’ by Frank Jungers, a welcome letter from Tom and I and numerous leaflets of what to see and do in York!

A quick break in the middle of the day for some lunch – delicious homemade soup and sandwich platter. No I didn’t have both! Tom had the sandwich and I had the soup.

Around the middle of the day Ruby Halabi, from AOC, arrived. She looked after the putting up of photos and posters plus the displays of Saudi Aramco. Darrin (Henderson – our son) arrived with his partner Claire Ellis, and joined the production line getting the packages ready for Friday. By the time we finished that day we had Saturday’s packages virtually finished too!

About 1.00pm Ukaramcons began to arrive and that distinct hum of conversation pervaded along the corridors! Yes, the familiar atmosphere started to build! Within an hour they were being booked in and registration was started by Tom, to be relieved by Janet Scott and Allan Martin.

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Image on the previous page

1. The obligatory group photo!

Images on these pages

2. Michael & Sue Higgins (far left) and Jim & Veronica Anderson (far right) flank hosts Eileen and Tom Henderson

3. Murray Welsh, Jim Anderson, Tom Henderson & Andrew Mullen

4. Dorothy Grant, Helen Paterson, Ruth Yates, Jenny Bayton, Patrcia Thielhelm, Mary Wilson & Margaret Williams

5. Richard & Vicky Carter

6. Tom and Eileen Henderson on the dance floor!

While having a break in the afternoon the ‘icing on my cake’ arrived in the shape of Donna Morris, an Honorary Brit, from South Carolina. Donna had always socialised with the Brits and even married one who alas passed away a year ago. Donna had asked that her arrival be kept a secret and the surprise worked but it was the most difficult secret I had ever had to keep as many people wanted to know who was coming to the reunion. There were tears and laughter as she met up with people she had not seen for many years.

The afternoon rolled on with people arriving, registering, checking in and heading for the lounge and bar as good Ukaramcons do!

Nothing was arranged for that evening so some ate in; some visited the pub over the road while Claire, Tom, Darrin and I went into town on the bus to the Slug and Lettuce for a meal.

Friday, September 12 – All those playing golf at Heworth Golf Course

were up early as they had a tee off time at 9.00am. As for the women? We went into town where some went sightseeing, some shopped and some did both! Claire and I managed 2 ½ hours in town, having been let off the bus by a kindly lady driver who asked

“Where are the two ladies who wanted to go into the city?” "Here.” “Do you want to sightsee or go shopping?” “Shopping.” “Then come with me.”

She got off the bus with us and gave us precise directions as to where the shops were. Wonderful! So kind – as the bus driver had been the night before!

The maze of ultra-old shops was quite enchanting. We even found one that looked like an old fashioned toy shop but on looking into the window,

the shop was very much deeper and had plenty of cute Christmas things which I regret not buying more of. Although York is very well sign posted, we could find everything except the main drag – we had to ask directions while in a shop. It wasn’t a problem though, as the assistant came out onto the street to show us where to go – we were on a parallel street.

We then returned to the hotel early afternoon to set up for registration. More of the troops arrived and the atmosphere continued to build! Pam Evans duly arrived on the dot to do the registration and Claire decided to stay and help. Claire had accepted Ukaramcons and they were very much accepting her! For once I had a little spare time to catch up with my friend, Carmel, who had arrived a day later than initially arranged.

The afternoon just seemed to vanish – quick showers and back down to the reception area for 6.00pm - the luxury coach had arrived to transport 57 Ukaramcons to the Toby Carvery on the outskirts of the city. It was rather like a school outing – Tom had his list and checked us onto the bus to ensure no-one who had signed up had been left behind. Our lovely coach

driver took us on a bit of a sightseeing route which we all appreciated.

Once at the Toby we were all seated in no time in the area set aside for the group and informed that we were being treated to a complimentary ice cream desert! And who wouldn’t want that? The carvery service was swift and courteous – a delicious selection of meats and vegetables. Just as we commenced eating we were joined by yet more Ukaramcons who had driven cross country to join in on the weekend! One, a gentleman who, only months ago, had been at death’s door! He reckoned that part of his recovery was due to his determination to make it to the reunion!

Once the food had been demolished and the ‘table hopping’ completed, trying to briefly catch up with everyone, it was time to return to the hotel. Again we checked back onto the bus like good children. Once back at the hotel the evening continued at the bar… no-one seemed to have a bed to go to! Saturday morning and it was back into ‘the room’ to complete the filling of the goodie bags. Having this room had made this side of the reunion so much easier. Carmel and I started off the production line and was later joined by Donna. The goodie bag for the ladies contained a leather wallet and a shawl/scarf; the gents received a leather wallet and a powerful LED flashlight in a presentation case. The choice of the gifts had been more than difficult and had been deliberated long and hard over many weeks. Would they be well received?

Lunchtime came faster than could be believed but the bags had been done – mission accomplished! Only the odds and ends needed to be tidied up.

The table and floor floral decorations had arrived – quite stunning – the most glorious blues with white. The hotel staff set up the evening reception and dining area – the whole area was beautiful, complete with the flowers and an arch of balloons over the entrance. Everything looked perfect but thankfully the sharp eyes of one of the staff noticed that the place settings for two tables were identical! Out came the laptop and the printer from the car boot and Tom was able to print off the correct one – problem solved! The usual last minute check, quick showers and change and we were good to go at 6.00pm.

As they all arrived the ladies received a beautifully wrapped red rose. Everyone received a welcome drink of Buck’s Fizz or orange juice and then we were ushered outside for a group photo in front of the massive ancient cedar tree!

The evening proceeded at 7.00pm with a welcome from Tom thanking everyone for coming

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Feature Story | 5th UKaramcons Reunion Feature Story | 5th UKaramcons Reunion

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Images on this page

7. (Left to right) Richard Carter, Vicky Carter, Janet Scott, Lyn Thomas, Jacquie Thomas, Eileen Henderson, Alan Martin, Donna Morris, David Howlett, Sandy Weller & Rita Howlett

8. Abdulrahman Al Mesned, who attended in the absence of the MD, shared his appreciation with the attendees

9. Tom and Eileen delivered the evening's bouquets of flowers to the local hospice

More images on p.42

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1. (Left to right) Donna Morris, Tom & Eileen Henderson

and making the reunion such a success. Naturally it was a bit emotional when remembering those who were no longer with us. Abdulrahman Al Mesned from AOC, and Ali Baluchi, Chairman of the KSA 2015 Reunion, addressed the guests.

The buffet dinner was now ready and the food was delicious including, of course, Yorkshire pudding and roast beef!

Next was the presentation of the gifts to Abdulrahman Al Nesmed and Ali Baluchi followed by the golf prizes for the tournament played on Friday morning. Then much to our astonishment we received a gift from AOC in the form of a John Lewis gift card. To crown that Judy and Brian Snowdon stepped forward with a prettily decorated tissue box containing a generous donation from all the attending Aramcons. For once in my life I was totally speechless! To cap even that, Tom told me that we had been invited, flights and hotel paid, to the 2015 Reunion in Saudi Arabia!

Darrin (Henderson) surprised us all by making a very touching speech – thanking us for the support we have given him over the past few years and pointing out that it had been Tom’s 70th birthday in July but there had been no party, so this was his birthday party, before proceeding to present us with thoughtful gifts.

Then the dancing began with Darrin as DJ. Retirees we may be but we are not afraid to get up and boogie!

Giving the DJ a break was the ideal time to make the draw for the table centres for the ladies and the Holiday Inn vouchers for the men plus hand out the commemorative gifts. During the evening there were another couple of breaks when the ladies who helped behind the scenes were given lovely bouquets of flowers.

The evening drew to an almost close at 12.45am and the stalwarts retired to the bar!

Sunday morning and everyone was commenting on what a great evening it had been and how pleased they were with the commemorative gifts. There was also a big compliment from one of the hotel staff speaking on behalf of them all – that Ukaramcons had been by far the best crowd they had ever had in the hotel! He was also informed that all the staff had been very pleasant and accommodating to all of us and that we had enjoyed being there.

It had previously been arranged that the huge displays of flowers were to be given to a local Hospice, so later in the morning, Tom and I, complete with cameraman, took them to the nearby St. Leonard’s Children’s Hospice where we were

Since the inception of the UKAramcon reunion approximately 8 years ago by Tom and Eileen Henderson, I have wanted to attend. That didn't seem like a major expectation, but time and circumstances always seemed to make it impossible. It's also worth noting that I'm not British - I went to Saudi as a single female American hire. Most Americans were on Family Status, which included spouses and children, so it just seemed more natural to socialise with the singles. It was only my friendship with Eileen and Tom that made me feel I could invite myself to the reunion!

As the years passed and it began to seem less probable that I would be able to do it, my fantasies grew. I imagined not letting anyone know that I was coming and just "crashing" the party. I anticipated everyone's surprise. Would I recognise everyone? Would they remember me? How had the years treated us?

And, yes, the years had treated us well. Most of us were a bit more "seasoned" with age (except a few who had obviously made pacts with the devil and not changed at all!), but the same camaraderie, spirit and joie de vivre were present. When it came to an end too quickly and I returned home, friends wanted to know all about it and I told them what I've always said about Saudi friends - they are a special breed; the type of people, if planted on the moon, that would throw a party to get to know everyone and then go about making life as livable and enjoyable as possible! The reunion renewed my fondness for each one and reaffirmed my appreciation for being the recipient, those many years ago, of their friendship, generosity of spirit, optimism, quick wit and easy humour. It was a reunion I shall long remember.

warmly welcomed and the flowers graciously received. Photos were taken with some of the Hospice staff. They asked if the photos may be used in their press promotions and we were happy to oblige.

After many echoes of ‘goodbye’ and ‘safe journey’ we made our way home! Friendships

RevisitedWords Donna Morris

Feature Story | Friendships Revisited

Eventually I received a message from Tom that if I wanted to crash the party I'd better do it this year as it would be the last time he and Eileen would be organising it. With such willing conspirators, how could I not commit to it! From that moment on, my anticipation grew.

The event itself did not disappoint and was everything I hoped it would be. It was held in the very scenic town of York and the weather was perfect. Of the more than 100 attending, I knew a full third. There were friends with whom I'd always been in touch (who still did not know I was attending!) There were friends whom I'd only kept in touch with through others. There were spouses whom I'd never met. There were even people of longstanding lore, whose names I knew but had never met! People filtered in over several days before the Saturday night dinner sponsored by AOC, and with each new arrival the party started all over again! There were lingering lunches and dinners, late nights at the Lounge, lots of laughter and even a few tears. It was grand, surpassing my greatest expectations!

As they all arrived the ladies received a beautifully wrapped red rose. Everyone received a welcome drink of Buck’s Fizz

Feature Story | 5th UKaramcons Reunion

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Words Arthur Clark

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Feature Story | Saudi Aramco Annuitants ReunionFeature Story | Saudi Aramco Annuitants Reunion

Images on these pages

1. “The role you played in building this company is significant and appreciated,” Ali Al-Mutairi told guests at the ASC-sponsored Gala Banquet on September. 6 (Photo by Bert Seal)

2. A happy contingent of retirees poses on the steps of the central Blue Ridge Mountains reunion venue in Asheville, N.C. (Photo by Laurie Johnson)

Nearly 360 retirees and family members turned out for the 29th biannual Saudi Aramco Annuitants Reunion, in Asheville, N.C., Sept. 5-8, refreshing memories and rekindling friendships at the classic 101-year-old Omni Park Grove Hotel.

A number of retirees came with their children and grandchildren to celebrate what Vera Fick, whose late husband William was a petroleum engineer, called “those wonderful years.”

She handled activities at the Hamilton House in Dhahran from 1981-1990, ensuring that visits by heads of oil companies and other

dignitaries went smoothly. Echoing the sentiments of many fellow retirees, she said she would have worked there “even if they hadn’t paid me.”

The Asheville “Hafla” was one of several functions at the Blue Ridge Mountain resort the first weekend in September, but it got more notice than any of the others.

“What’s a hafla?” a hotel guest asked a reunion attendee. When told it was Arabic for “a warm family gathering—special celebration,” she replied: “That’s what I’m going to name my daughter!”

Jim and Linda Shearon hosted the 29th reunion. The couple’s son,

Annuitants Celebrate "Wonderful Years" in Mountain Reunion

Kevin, stood in for his dad, who is ill, supported by his sister, Lisa.

Mike and Judy Butler co-hosted the event, with the help of John and Violeta Powell, Kristin Hudson, Judy Walker, Tom Swepston and Hal Barham.

Linda Shearon thanked guests for coming to Asheville to celebrate “our very special family” at a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean buffet on September 5.

“We will always share fond memories of the life-changing experiences of working together and living together in Saudi Arabia,” she said in her reunion message.

A critical part of that was “the personal growth and understanding we gained from our friends and hosts, the people of Saudi Arabia. We are thankful for those people who started out as strangers and who become close friends that you now can’t imagine life without….

“The friendships we gained while living overseas, the strong ties that were firmed, and the trust that was built, will always be with us. To all of you, Shukrun Jazeelan!”

Saudi Aramco President and CEO Khalid Al-Falih relayed similar thoughts in his welcome message.

He called the term hafla “the perfect theme for this much-anticipated biannual event.”

"I’m proud that your common ground began with Saudi Aramco—and that our company remains influential in your lives,” he said.

Al-Falih also lauded retirees and family members for their efforts to describe and explain Saudi Aramco and Saudi Arabia to those who haven’t experienced the kingdom first-hand. “There is no better goodwill ambassador than a Saudi Aramco annuitant,” he said.

An enduring feature of the biannual reunions is the Gala Banquet sponsored by Aramco Services Company (ASC).

“The role you played in building this company is significant and appreciated,” Ali Al-Mutairi, director of ASC Public Affairs, told retirees in his keynote address,

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“and your current role in sharing your Aramco experiences with others helps reinforce a positive image of a company and country that are unfamiliar to many.”

Images on these pages

3. Several generations celebrated at the Annuitants Reunion. From left are retirees Glyn and Trish Jenkins and Violeta and John Powell, the Powell’s daughter Leslie Wickham, and her daughters Marisol, six, Cora, eight, and Amelie, 10 (photo by Arthur Clark)

4. Edna Catchings of ASC Public Affairs passed out gift copies of The Caravan Goes On, the memoir by retired President and CEO Frank Jungers about his four decades with Aramco (photo by Arthur Clark)

That certainly proved true in Asheville, where guests hailed from 34 states, as well as Saudi Arabia, Canada, the Netherlands and Pakistan.

Al-Mutairi highlighted several major projects under way at the company, noting that Saudi Aramco is “more than halfway through a massive transformation programme that will make us a global player in chemicals and research.” He also said that the company had begun exploring for unconventional gas reserves and is “reaching new frontiers in deepwater development in the Red Sea.”

In addition, he noted that the company’s newest U.S. research-and-development centre would open in September in Houston—

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Feature Story | Saudi Aramco Annuitants ReunionFeature Story | Saudi Aramco Annuitants Reunion

“In Aramco, ‘family’ is a bond that crosses oceans, crosses nationalities and crosses cultures.”

ASC provided a surprise guest speaker at the banquet: Bob Morgan, a TWA pilot who flew for Aramco in 1946-47. He regaled guests with stories of flying King Abdulaziz and Chief Geologist Steineke in those “barnstorming” days in the kingdom.

ASC also gave each family a copy of The Caravan Goes On, the new memoir by former CEO Frank Jungers about his life at Aramco. Al-Mutairi called it a “special gift in honour of our tradition of sharing stories” among the larger company family.

As Al-Mutairi put it, “In Aramco, ‘family’ is a bond that crosses oceans, crosses nationalities and crosses cultures.”

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Color Photos DWG members

6the third in the past 18 months after centres in Cambridge, Mass., and Detroit.

Al-Mutairi closed by urging attendees to celebrate with long-time friends, among them Ali Baluchi, a longtime employee who retired in 1990 as head of Community Services and is spearheading the third Expatriates Reunion in Saudi Arabia from March 9-18.

In his remarks to guests, Baluchi noted that he joined the Jabal School in Dhahran in 1947 with 10 other students, including Saif Al-Hussaini, who also attended the reunion.

He said his interest in reunions had been awakened through community affairs, and that he has attended every reunion but one in the United States since 1958.

“Reunions are a nice way to cement the friendship with people who physically and mentally helped us build our country…and that’s you,” he said.

Linda Shearon highlighted the special bonds among Aramcons in her remarks, too.

“Wherever we are in the world, there’s an immediate kinship, a kind of connection that no one else can understand,” she said. “Let’s enjoy this time of celebration of our common past, rejoice in the present and look forward to our days yet to come.”

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Images on these pages

5. Linda and Mike Shearon hosted the reunion in their home state of North Carolina (photo by Arthur Clark )

6. Vera Fick, who handled activities at Hamilton House from 1981-1990, reunited with her old boss, Ali Baluchi, at the reunion. She said she was grateful for “those wonderful years” in Dhahran with her late husband William, a petroleum engineer (photo by Arthur Clark)

7. Attendees got out their dancing boots for some lively twirling to music by the Whitewater Bluegrass Company on the reunion’s last evening, September 7 (photo by Arthur Clark)

"The friendships we gained while living overseas, the strong ties that were firmed, and the trust that was built, will always be with us. To all of you, Shukrun Jazeelan!"

Feature Story | Saudi Aramco Annuitants ReunionFeature Story | Saudi Aramco Annuitants Reunion

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Feature Story | 2015 KSA Expatriate ReunionFeature Story | 2015 KSA Expatriate Reunion

DHAHRAN – In the spring/summer edition of Alaela it was announced that planning was well under way for the highly anticipated 2015 KSA Expatriate Reunion to be held in Saudi Arabia March 9 – 20, 2015.

It is time now to update you further on the advances the Reunion Organizing Committee has made in the preparations for this momentous event. First though, let's revisit some of the history and the driving force behind the inception of the reunion.

2015 Organizing Committee Chairman, Ali Baluchi, is founder of the KSA Reunion. After retiring in 1990 with 40 years of service to Saudi Aramco, Ali travelled to many of the reunions taking place in the US, and elsewhere. As he travelled, he repeatedly heard the same request from retirees, "Ali, When can we come back to Saudi?" He understood the depth and strength of the connection expatriates and their families felt towards the Kingdom. With that in mind, he organised the first reunion in 2000, and the second in 2009.

With this third reunion, Ali is able once again to realise his long held dream of bringing retirees from around the world back to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, back to their second home.

"The Steering Committee, the Organizing Committee and myself are anxiously looking forward to your historic visit to the Kingdom." Ali says.

The programme of events for the reunion promises to be outstanding. There will be day trips to Al Hasa, Jubail and the Saudi Aramco

communities of Ras Tanura, Abqaiq and Udhailiyah, and of course camp tours of Dhahran. This time we will feature special walking tours for those who wish to keep fit! The Committee, with the support of Saudi Aramco, will offer trips to Shaybah, Riyadh, Jeddah, Madain Saleh and Abha. Kathy Owen, events coordinator, states, "We are in the process of locking-in the final arrangements for the events, and are very excited by the programme we have to offer. I would encourage attendees to the reunion to act swiftly to identify their first choice of where they wish to visit, and we will do our utmost to accommodate that choice, bearing in mind that due to popularity we will need to limit each participant to one in-Kingdom trip. The entire KSA team is continuing to work towards the goal of providing everyone the best experience possible."

Also on the programme are activities with self-directed groups which will allow participants to see how the groups have evolved and changed over time. Many other events are on the calendar enabling attendees to take a trip down memory lane, reminisce, and to once again enjoy the community which was, and still remains, so much a part of their lives.

Saudi Aramco has generously provided a house, which is known as the Reunion House, especially for the occasion. House 1123 is somewhat appropriately located on Eleventh Street, one of the oldest streets in the community which housed a veritable "Who's Who" of Aramco senior personnel in the 1940's and 50's. House 1123 was notably home to Les Snyder, who went on to become a Saudi Aramco Vice President. Les's wife, Louise, was responsible for starting the first Girl/Boy Scouts. Their son, Miles was the first Boy Scout, and first student to graduate from a Saudi Aramco school.

Also, it's possible that some of our returning UK retirees may remember that 1123 Eleventh Street was once home to Les and Flora Flintham.

It's clear the location of the Reunion House brings with it its own historical aspect and importance. Consequently, the House is receiving some tender loving care. Ali says, "In preparation for your visit in March, we are re-decorating the Reunion House, both inside and out. The landscaping around the house will be beautiful. We hope our guests from overseas will appreciate all the goodies being prepared by the Hospitality Committee."

To further enhance the experience for our visitors, Reunion House has been beautifully adorned inside with wall murals by artist Tamara Tahir. Tamara is herself an Aramco "Brat", and now works as a pre-school teacher in the community. As you can see her connectedness is aptly demonstrated in her use of rich colors in the house, with depictions of artifacts that reflect the Arabic heritage and history of Saudi Arabia.

The Gardening Unit has drawn up a special plan for the proposed landscaping around the House. The layout is carefully crafted to give the maximum outdoor enjoyment to guests, and allow for ease of access during larger gatherings. Also, consideration has been given to water conservation, and consequently there will be a xeriscape theme to some of the plantings.

The desire of the Organizing Committee is to ensure that everyone feels truly welcomed, and to express the warmest of greetings to all.

Of course with the return of the annuitants and their children, and in some cases their grandchildren, also comes bonuses and benefits to the wider community of Saudi Aramco. For sure the stories, experiences, and anecdotes visitors relate hold great promise of opening

Planning Continues for the "Welcome Home!" 2015 Expats Reunion in Saudi Arabia

Words Julianne Eveland

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up a fresh and new understanding of the community for those who live there. It's been said of past reunions that the tales that were shared during the time together deepened and broadened the perspectives of those who heard them. Understanding the enormous efforts and contributions past employees gave to Saudi Aramco in their time there, helps to give clarity

for those who carry on that work. It's a very special occasion for all those involved.

Therefore it's immensely gratifying that attending reunions has taken on particular significance in the lives of Saudi Aramcons, This is further reinforced by the obvious enthusiasm and special effort made by the growing numbers of

The Organizing Committee can be contacted at: Reunion House 1123 11th Street, Dhahran (close to the library gate or behind the heritage gallery) Open 9 am – 5 pm 013.878.8682 ksareunion@gmail.com

KSA Reunion Volunteers

www.ksa-reunion.com

annuitants who register to return to the Kingdom, and those who attend reunions around the world. The organisers of these reunions need to be applauded.

It's in that light, and with great pleasure, that the Organizing Committee wishes to announce two special guests, Eileen and Tom Henderson, who will be

attending the 2015 KSA Reunion. This is in recognition of their hard work and dedication to organising five reunions of Saudi Aramcons over the years at various locations throughout the UK, the first being in 2007.

Perhaps you will also be one of those greeted with the emotive words, "Welcome Home!"

Images

1. Reunion House, November 2014

2. Artist Tamara Tahir, an Aramcon “brat” who now works as a preschool teacher in the community, is using rich colors to make depictions of artifacts that reflect the Arabic heritage and history of Saudi Arabia.

3. A great place to meet friends and share memories

4. A landscape artist's impression of what the front garden will look like

5. A landscape artist's impression of what the back garden will look like

6. The entry into the kitchen

7. A cosy corner in one of the meeting rooms

8. The Volunteers 'Magic Carpet' where volunteers can post personal information about themselves

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Feature Story | 2015 KSA Expatriate ReunionFeature Story | 2015 KSA Expatriate Reunion

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Any thriving community has threads which inextricably link its past to its present through the development of particular and unique traditions, and Saudi Aramco is no exception. As the Saudi Aramco Employees’ Association celebrated more than 70 years of serving fun to Aramco’s communities through its 2014 November 7 Fun Festival, this article examines the history of this signature annual event and how it has contributed to the development of community and company life today.

The first mention of a ‘fair’ being held in an Aramco community appears in the Arabian Sun and Flare of September 21, 1949 – in the section for Abqaiq news, we have the announcement that “On Thursday evening, starting at 7pm, the Abqaiq Patio will be a beehive of activity marking an old tradition, summer leaving, fall cometh, with a real old-fashioned County Fair.” Under the auspices of the Abqaiq Women’s Club, this was a truly family-oriented event, and was the culmination of weeks of hard work by the community’s men in building booths to house the

All the Fun of the FairWords Alison Hooker

many fun activities, and hours of sewing and baking by the ladies of sale and consumable items. It was also extremely well-attended by visitors from the other camps.

Following on from the popularity of its increasingly successful July 4 picnics, the Aramco Employee’s Association (AEA) launched its first County Fair in Dhahran on Thursday, 17th October 1957. From the onset, the intention was to involve and showcase the community’s growing number of self- directed groups, provide food and entertainment suitable for all ages, and offer a platform for outside companies such as airlines to promote their services.

By 1957, a parade was a firmly established Aramco tradition for the opening of big community events, and the first County Fair was no exception! Starting outside the Administration Building at 2.00 pm, this parade proceeded along King’s Road, past the Dining Hall, and finished in the Theater car park. It was led by the “largest group of European cars ever gathered in Saudi Arabia” (source: Sun and Flare, October 1957). Assembled by the AAA, these 34 cars included Mercedes, Fiats, VWs, Landrovers, Hillmans, M.G.s,

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Looking Back | All the Fun of the FairLooking Back | All the Fun of the Fair

To help us cope with living so far from home, we expats have a tendency to ‘re-invent’ our own cultural traditions within our new environment. The Aramco Employees’ Association County Fair quite clearly originated from the American tradition of County Fairs. Started in the early 1800s by agricultural reformers to promote modern farming methods, these grew into important entertainment events for local populations. The word ‘fair’ itself developed from “fayre”, used popularly from the 15th to the 17th century in England to describe a gathering of stalls and amusements for public entertainment, many of these events originating from medieval festivals or ‘fetes’ held to celebrate saints’ days and other important religious occasions.

Fairs also have a strong Arabian tradition, dating back to pre-Islamic times, when seasonal bazaars were held in order to exchange home-made products and livestock for foreign goods brought in by traders. Great commercial fairs later coincided with the pilgrimage cycle –the ‘Dhil Majaz Fair’ was the last to be held as the merchants made their way finally to Mecca, to return to their homes after performing the Hajj ceremonies. These important commercial events also featured colourful ceremonies, musical shows, poetry competitions and exhibitions of the arts and literary works, making them attractive places for a wide range of people to visit.

Singers, BMWs and a Jaguar. Following the cars were the Brownie, Cub, Girl and Boy Scout troops, and the Horse Association riders brought up the rear. Once at the fairground, customers discovered 25 gaily decorated booths dispensing merchandise, food and games of skill, and other activities which included Turtle Races, donkey rides and golf pitch. The fair also provided an important community retail opportunity, and visitors could start their Christmas shopping by purchasing calendars from the Girl Scouts, greetings cards from the Women’s Group,

decorations from the Brownies, embroidered linens and stuffed toys from the APAR ladies, sketches from the Art Group and on-the-spot photos courtesy of the Camera group.

Building on the success of its first Fair event, the AEA was able to draw on the help of 36 community groups for the second County Fair, held on November 13, 1958. This opening parade additionally featured the school band, the fire truck and floats representing the Yacht Association and Women’s Bowling. After

2Images on this page

1. Aramco parade float 1970s (D. Miller collection)

2. Girl Scouts were in charge of the balloons, 2007 Festival

Aramco Employee’s Association (AEA) launched its first County Fair in Dhahran on Thursday, 17th October 1957.

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clown for entertainment. Similarly, the Dhahran Fair of 1979 reflected the organisational involvement of the Rugby Club with its British ‘Village Fete’ theme which featured an actual double-decker London bus, a British bobby on his bicycle, a ‘pearly king’, an “It’s a Knockout” contest and a “Wellie Whanging Championship”. The evening dinner-dance on the patio even offered a traditional English menu of roast beef and Yorkshire pud!

The fairs went from strength to strength as the communities continued to support this form of entertainment, and by 1991, there were 86 booths at the Dhahran Fair providing food, games and crafts. Events of this size required hundreds of volunteers from the self-directed groups – 400 for the 2009 Festival, which drew 5000 visitors! The food was always a draw card – as early as 1963, the hungry Dhahran fair-goers consumed 3806 bottles of soft drinks and 2 597 hot dogs and beef sandwiches! Over time, the festival menus have expanded from hot dogs and steak sandwiches to include tacos, shish kabobs, shwarmas, pizza and curries, with cotton candy still maintaining popularity, and the ‘home-made’ stalls being replaced by concessions.

As the 1980s progressed, the fairs began to provide a forum for community education on salient social

the parade, the fair booths were open until 6 pm, followed by special gala entertainment and a barn dance provided jointly by the Golf Association, the DWG and the AEA. The fair booths provided an opportunity for self-directed groups to reach out to the community, both raising awareness of their existence, and serving the community through the service or fun they provided. Thus, in 1958, amongst a plethora of activities, the Communications group sponsored voice recording; hamburgers were served by Dramaramcons dressed as Hamlet; the Tennis Association organised a tennis hit; the Art Group offered portrait sketches; the Yacht Association hosted a boat exhibit; the Women’s Group ran a Junque Shoppe and Bake shop; the Medical Department organised a First Aid station; the Outings Group supervised donkey rides, and the Golf Association ran the golf pitch.

By 1960, the Dhahran Fair was attracting over 3000 visitors with the community activity organizations running 50 booths and attractions, including donkey racing, boat displays, and a Bavarian Bake Shop. The parade was as big as ever, still featuring the Arabian horses, a 31 piece school band, seven troops of Brownies and Girl Scouts, and numerous Cub and Boy Scouts. The AEA also sponsored a Hallowe’en Dance on the Patio later in the evening, a holiday theme which recurred in many of the subsequent events.

The growing size of these events meant the AEA often worked jointly in the planning with other community groups, both to capitalise on creative input and manpower. In 1962, for example, the Ras Tanura County Fair in November was a joint effort of the AEA and the R. T. Women’s Group. Whilst the Women’s Group had 14 booths including hot dogs, games, baked goods, fish pond, a weight guessing booth and ring toss, the AEA contributed a merry-go-round, miniature golf course, ring-the-bell, bottle throw, shooting gallery, hotshoe pitching, donkey rides, cotton candy and a

Looking Back | All the Fun of the FairLooking Back | All the Fun of the Fair

Images on these pages

3. Virtually all of Dhahran turned out to make the 1958 aea county fair the biggest and best ever Dhahran

4. 1979 British bobby

5. Time to try Chinese calligraphy at 2006 Fun Festival, Dhahran

6. Ras Tanura fair booth 'Spill the Milk' 1960

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By 1960, the Dhahran Fair was attracting over 3000 visitors with the community activity organizations running 50 booths and attractions

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themes. Educational elements were introduced alongside the fun with activities reflecting themes such as the environment (“We Must Act to save our Environment”, “Earth Day”), the oil industry (“Fest’v Oil”), and culture (“A Walk through History”). At the "Earth Day" event, the theme even extended to the music chosen by Kay Siebold’s youngest toe-tappers as they performed to "You are my Sunshine" and "Let the earth move under my Feet". The 2009 Festival also had an Environmental theme, with volunteers from SAVE hosting a “Plant a Seedling’ feature and a "Build-a-Periscope" project sponsored by the EXPEC Advanced Research Center encouraging parents to work together with their children on the task.

Increasing cultural diversity within the communities meant the County Fairs became re-badged as Fun Festivals, and their annual timing sometimes had to change to accommodate the ‘Id celebrations. The 2010 Dhahran SAEA Festival was held under the banner “Unity Through Diversity" and featured the first SAEA parade for 17 years, showcasing the growing number of nationalities within the residential communities parading in their national costumes. Recycling and support for literacy for underprivileged children were causes championed at this event. The diversity theme was celebrated again in 2013 at the "It’s a Small World" event in Dhahran, jointly sponsored by the SAEA and Dhahran Cricket Association, where the cultural traditions of many nations were proudly on display.

The skills and knowledge gained from staging these colourful community affairs has created a strong platform for the ongoing development of socially responsible “info-entertainment” events at which Saudi Aramco has come to excel. The expertise gained over so many years both by the SAEA, Community Services and the self-directed groups has allowed for community-based events themselves to cater both for the enjoyment of ever-growing audiences and to meet the changing interests and needs of the employees and their families (55,000 attended the ‘Id events through the Aramco communities in 2008; 16,800 alone at the King’s Road area for the ‘Id Al-Adha celebrations in 2010).

Indeed, the Saudi Aramco community events of recent years have come to provide a very unique cross-over and meeting point of cultures, opportunities for sharing of values and knowledge, and an exciting forum for witnessing the development and maturation of the company’s kingdom-wide social responsibility remit. Now held annually as part of the outreach remit of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, company-initiated educational and cultural programmes have become hugely successful, drawing on the skills of hundreds of local volunteers and attracting more than half a million visitors in Dhahran, Riyadh and Jiddah. They owe at least a small part of their legacy to the community-spirited volunteers from across the globe who invested in the social fabric and traditions of their own Aramco communities.

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The ‘Zain Train’ has been an icon of AEA/SAEA parades and festivals since the Dhahran County Fair of October 1964, built specially for the events by a group of volunteers. Saudi Aramcon Robert Hatcher was a child when the train was being fabricated in his backyard, and remembers that construction would be halted at 9.00pm sharp by his mother so everyone could go home to bed and be fresh for work the next day. Apparently, the original train carriage cars were about the size of a single bed due to there being an abundance of single bed frames available in Reclamation – these were, of course, heavily reinforced.

Looking Back | All the Fun of the FairLooking Back | All the Fun of the Fair

The Saudi Aramco community events of recent years have come to provide a very unique cross-over and meeting point of cultures and opportunities for sharing of values and knowledge

Images on these pages

7. "It’s a Knockout"' contest at the British-themed 1979 Dhahran Fair

8. 1970s, a parade participant sends a safety message to the community

9,10. 2005: The ‘Zain Train’, originally built by community volunteers in 1964 for the County Fair of that year, is a long-standing icon of Saudi Aramco community festivals

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Feature Story | A Naturalist's DiaryFeature Story | A Naturalist's Diary

January 2, 2014

At Arundel Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) I watched the Kingfisher fishing by the boating area.

January 11, 2014

I visited Hove Lagoon where the Grey Phalarope was continuing to entertain everyone in the kid’s paddling pool. The recent storms have blown it off course from its Arctic breeding grounds. This must be the most photographed bird in Sussex judging by the number of lenses pointed at it.

March 10, 2014

At Ferring Rife I saw over 40 Small Tortoiseshells, many of which were courting.

January 22, 2014

I met Mark at RHS Wisley to view the annual exhibition of tropical butterflies. When the sun came out later they started flying as the temperature in the Glasshouse rose. An Owl butterfly rested on a twig and I saw two new species: Black and White Helen and Green-banded Swallowtail.

February 3, 2014

I visited Warnham Nature Reserve to see a Mealy Redpoll, Lesser Redpolls (pictured), Greenfinches, Goldfinches and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. The water level was very high following the heavy rain.

March 17, 2014

At Arundel WWT I was fortunate to see a Great Spotted Woodpecker high in the tree beside the woodland bird feeder.

March 18, 2014

There were few butterflies at Angmering Woods but I heard a Firecrest which came close enough for photos.

March 22, 2014

I joined Mark at Arundel WWT and we had an enjoyable morning ambling round the reserve, finishing with cappuccino and bread & butter pudding cake. It was lovely to see two cootlings being fed by their parents.

April 3, 2014

I completed my first butterfly transect of the year at Mill Hill and recorded Brimstones, Commas, Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshells. I then watched the European Wall Lizards basking and fighting in the sun at Shoreham beach.

April 4, 2014

At Angmering Woods I photographed my first Orange-tip of the year.

January 21, 2014

I took advantage of blue skies this morning to visit the beach. The Turnstones and Ringed Plovers were feeding along the surf line as the tide came in. A Sanderling had four rings on its feet and I submitted a report to the bird ringing site.

February 22, 2014

I visited Brooklands Park to see the two Little Gulls. Their habit of performing acrobatics while picking up insects and food from the water surface made it a challenge to photograph.

Words Colin Knight

A Naturalist’s DiaryAs winter bites I like to look back over the year and remind myself what fun I have had in the natural world.

My blog, www.seapic.com, is a personal illustrated diary, and writing it has become a prime objective since retirement. After a day out with my cameras I post selected photos on my blog to share with others. The following is an extract from the first six months of 2014.

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April 18, 2014

I found three Green Hairstreaks fighting on the edge of a clump of privet at Chantry Hill.

May 15, 2014

My Mill Hill transect yielded my first Wall of the year and a pristine Adonis Blue.

May 29, 2014

I have been continuing my search for new microfauna in Rewell Wood where I found Blue Shieldbugs, a Common Drill moth, Garden Chafers, Drinker moth larvae, a Jumping Spider, a Lacehopper, two Leafhoppers, a Noon Fly, a Raspberry Beetle, Triple-blotched Bell, Small Purple and Gold moths (pictured), Vetch Piercer micromoths and mating Bloody-nosed Beetles. Fly Orchids were in pristine condition (pictured).

June 5, 2014

I joined Neil at Steyning Downland where he had spotted a newly emerged European Swallowtail. These butterflies are rarely seen in Britain, but last August we had an influx of continental butterflies and some Swallowtails found carrot plants to lay their eggs on. These hatched and successfully overwintered and a few adults have already emerged from their pupae this spring.

June 11, 2014

I had a short walk in Rewell Wood and found a Large Skipper, a Red Piercer moth, a stunning red Hazel Leaf-roller Weevil, a Hemp-agrimony Conch and two Buff-tip moths (pictured).

June 19, 2014

I returned to Rewell Wood to photograph the Bee Orchids and found a Speckled Bush cricket nymph.

May 24, 2014

At Woods Mill reserve I found Azure Damselflies (pictured) and Large Red Damselflies in a meadow.

May 28, 2014

At a local beach I found Ringed Plovers with two chicks. This is excellent news as last year three clutches failed.

May 19, 2014

At Rewell Wood a Roe Deer crossed the path ahead of me and joined its mate. Then I joined some butterfly enthusiasts at Harting Down for a successful Duke of Burgundy count. This butterfly is spreading out at this location showing that

the conservation work is being done well. We heard a cuckoo close by.

April 24, 2014

I was alerted by Neil that a female Emperor moth had appeared at Kithurst Meadow. By the time I arrived a male had been attracted by her pheromones.

April 25, 2014

I found 17 Pearl-bordered Fritillaries at Rewell Wood, some nectaring on Bugle. I spotted a Cuckoo Flower and my first Heath Milkwort.

May 7, 2014

I visited Rewell Wood where I found Grizzled Skippers and an an Orange-tip laying an egg on Garlic Mustard (egg pictured). The Goldcrest was singing again and I found my first Brown Argus of the year at Kithurst Meadow. Finally I visited Lord’s Piece where the heath has been managed for the endangered Field Crickets which were singing loudly.

Feature Story | A Naturalist's DiaryFeature Story | A Naturalist's Diary

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Feature Story | Season's Greetings

June 20, 2014

I visited Ashdown Forest to see the Short-toed Snake Eagle which has been in residence and could move on when the local supply of snakes dries up. While in this part of Sussex I called in at the Butterfly Conservation reserve at Rowland Wood where I found Ringlets, Large Skippers, a beautiful female Broad-bodied Chaser (pictured) plus Clouded Border and Brown Silver-line moths. The swathe of Foxgloves and Yorkshire Fog in the large cleared area provided an impressive view.

June 22, 2014

This evening I found Brindled Plume and Common Yellow Conch moths (pictured) at Rewell Wood.

June 24, 2014

The two Ringed Plover chicks have survived and can fly as fledglings. They are still attended by their parents, but are teenagers now and will soon make their own way in the world.

June 26, 2014

In Houghton Forest I heard a Turtle Dove call and plunged into the woods to find it. As I entered a clearing a Tawny Owl flew off and perched in a nearby tree.

June 28, 2014

I led a Butterfly Conservation walk at Iping and Stedham Commons to see the Silver-studded Blues and Common Heath moths. I found two new moths: Inlaid Grass-veneer and Golden Pearl plus some red fruiting lichens.

Feature Story | A Naturalist's Diary

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Feature Story | Welcome to Salalah!Feature Story | Welcome to Salalah!

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Images on these pages

1. A coconut palm tree grows on the beach in Salalah, Oman

2. A spectacular view of the misty cliffs outside Salalah, Oman, near the Yemen border

3. Camels grazing in Wadi Darbat, Salalah, Oman

Located on the Southwestern-most tip of Oman in the Dhofar region, Salalah welcomes visitors with Hawaii-like breezes blowing through coconut and banana plantations.

Hawaii-like breezes? Coconut palms? Banana plants?

In the Middle East?!?

It comes down to geography. Salalah has three mountain ranges – meeting in a bowl shape near the Arabian Sea – that capture five months of monsoon rains which skirt across the Arabian Sea from its Indian origins. This rainy season is called the Khareef, and it’s a time of festivals and celebration in Salalah.

This is the only place you’ll find camel herds grazing in lush, green valleys and grasslands.

It is because of this geographical location that Oman thrived as a civilization through the centuries from the cultivation of frankincense. To look at it, the small, gnarled, bush-like tree doesn’t seem like something that caused empires to rise and fall over the millennia. But it did. The tree thrives because it grows very well where Oman’s rainy season mists meet the vast desert landscape. Salalah produces some of the world’s best quality product.

To harvest frankincense, the bark is scrapped off, allowing the tree’s sap to flow from the trunk. After a few days, the sap hardens and is ready for harvest. Oman’s frankincense was traded throughout the world; it travelled to the Mediterranean, the Arab Peninsula, Madagascar, the Horn of Africa, south-eastern African, India, southern Asia, and into China.

The final days of Khareef fell during the Saudi Long Weekend in September, and a group of Arabian Natural History Association (ANHA) members travelled to Salalah to explore the region’s rich history and lush spectacular scenery. Being the tail end of the

Welcome to

Salalah!Words Jessica Weirmier Photography Julz Hall

rainy season, the days started out mostly overcast, but stayed dry and ended in beautiful sunshine.

Salalah’s tourism industry is growing in leaps and bounds. A large shopping centre recently opened, complete with a Carrefour grocery and popular fashion outlets. Salalah is a popular port stop as cruise ships travel between India and the Suez Canal. To accommodate Salalah’s growing tourist trade, a number of airlines are including the region in their offerings. For example, Qatar Airways has a direct Salalah flight from Doha that took flight over the summer, and an increasing number of European airlines are including Salalah in their flight itineraries, too. Oman Air flies to Salalah via Muscat Airport, connecting from both Dammam and Bahrain.

The ANHA tour group explored the grounds of the Sultan’s Palace, the towering heights of Taqah Cliff, the stunning greenery in Wadi Darbat, and the archeological ruins of Sumhuram.

With so much rain, natural springs abound throughout Salalah. One such spring, Ayn Razat, provides local plantations with much-needed water through the dry months when the monsoon season is over. The tour included a visit to Taqah Castle. The 200 year old fortress was originally built for Sheikh Ali bin Timman Al-Ma’ashani to protect the region’s frankincense trade. By the mid-1900s, the castle became the official residence of whoever was the current Walis (governor). Taqah Castle was where the Walis would meet diplomats, dignitaries, settle local disputes and generally govern the Dhofar Region.

From the Taqah Castle, our tour continued east to Mirbat for a tour of Bin Ali’s tomb (he was a scholar), and a fantastic al fresco seafood lunch on the beach within earshot of the local fishermen off-loading fresh caught tuna and sharks down on the docks.

The tour took us to Al Mughsayl Beach, which is renowned for its rugged coastline, complete with a blowhole. From there the tour continued west, into the

mountainous region bordering Yemen. A spectacular cliff side view of the Arabian Sea awaited the group after an impressive switchback drive up and over Jabal Al Qamar.

The return drive included a stop at a frankincense tree.

After seeing a live tree, the tour stopped at the Museum of Frankincense Land at the Al Baleed historical port ruins. This was the place where in ancient times sacks filled with the spicy incense were loaded onto ships for trade with far off lands. Following the museum visit, we loaded onto our tour bus and headed for the hills where Job’s Tomb is located.

The Arabian Natural History Association is a self-directed group. It is nearing 50 years in Dhahran. Meetings are held monthly in the Ad-Diwan Building. ANHA trips occur approximately twice a year. For information about ANHA, email: anha.dhahran@gmail.com

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Salalah’s tourism industry is growing in leaps and bounds. A large shopping center recently opened, complete with a Carrefour grocery and popular fashion outlets. Salalah is a popular port stop as cruise ships travel between India and the Suez Canal.

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In Memorium

In Memoriam

Born on 29 April 1938 in Cardross, Scotland where he attended local schools and was known as 'kilty' as he always wore a kilt. He served his apprenticeship at a local engineering firm before joining the merchant navy. After leaving the Service he worked at a local distillery where he met and married Pat. They had 3 daughters, a son (who died 12 years ago) and 5 grandchildren. When the children were older he joined Saudi Aramco in 1979 and was assigned to Abqaiq Job Skills Training Department as a Mechanical Training instructor.

It is with much regret we announce the death of Rosemary who died very suddenly in hospital on Saturday, 6 September.

Rosemary joined Aramco in 1976 as a secretary in the Word Processing & Admin Support Center and then went on to work in Community & Industrial Projects Department then part of the PM&C Organisation. Rosemary worked her way up the secretarial ladder to become executive secretary to the vice president of engineering services in 1989. In 2002 she was promoted to the position of planning & programs analyst in the Engineering Services Planning Staff Group and latterly,

wrote the club newsletters until his passing.

The thoughts and good wishes of many Ukaramcons are with Pat and family at this sad time.

If anyone would like to make a donation in Ian's memory, please make it to the British Heart Foundation, registered charity No. SC039426.

Pat and the family would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and support.

Rosemary Nelson6 August 1949 - 6 September 2014

Ian (John) MacLeod29 April 1938 – 23 May 2014

Ian was involved with various self-direct groups, darts and one of his loves, golf. He was also a well-respected gentleman who worked tirelessly with many charities. He was transferred to Ras Tanura Job Skills Training where he continued his work in Mechanical Engineering as a trainer and then as quality assurance inspector, finally retiring in 1999 from the company after 20 years’ service.

On his return home to Scotland, Ian became actively involved with his local golf club, Cardross, where he was club captain for two years and

again on promotion, to work as the succession planning coordinator for the Operations Services business line, the position she retired from after more than 34 years of service with Aramco.

Away from the workplace, Rosemary was a keen sportswoman and in her early years played in a softball team which she loved and was also an active member of the local darts league. She then found golf which she enjoyed immensely and this is evidenced by the happy photo which is how Rosemary would like to be remembered. This picture was taken and I quote, ‘On the occasion of her last golf tournament arranged

especially for her by her golfing buddies. It was taken just before setting out to play. She, of course, went on to win - par for the course’...

For whatever part Rosemary played in your life, be it work or play, she will be remembered as a good and loyal friend, a cheerful companion whose laughter and smile were ever present and a very helpful and diligent colleague.

You will be missed...

Rosemary is survived by her sisters Margaret and Ann, her two nieces Emma and Amy, her great nephew Ben and her great niece Holly.

Capture the Moment | Supplies

Aramco ConvoyAramco's trailblazers, the able, pluckish men who ferry the supplies needed to nourish a seed of industry planned in an area once so void of life it means 'empty'. Extracted from "Convoy to Nowhere" published in Aramco World magazine May/June 1969.

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Our Last Reunion! continued...

Feature Story | 5th UKaramcons Reunion continued

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