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What is BAWA?

More about BAWA and what it does. Message from the Chairman of BAWA. BAWA past, present and future.
BAWA Chairman Jim Bishop
BAWA Chairman Jim Bishop


Chairman's Foreword - About BAWA

BAWA is a members' association that has been growing and developing since 1942. We are a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation offering healthcare and leisure services to our members with the aim of promoting good health and wellbeing. At present, BAWA boasts over 9000 members.

Rolls-Royce Plc, Airbus UK, BAE Systems and GKN Aerospace employees make up the traditional core of our membership however more and more employers have realised the benefits of offering BAWA membership to their staff and the list is growing considerably. We now include the likes of South Gloucestershire Council, North Bristol NHS Trust and John Lewis Partnership employees amongst our members, to name but a few. This growth in the constituent company base is beneficial as it allows further enhancement to the services we offer all of our members.

Besides our provision of excellent healthcare cover, our extensive Leisure Centre complex hosts premier entertainment acts and we offer ever-improving Sports and Leisure facilities along with a superb Conference and Events centre.

Our website aims to help you find out exactly what BAWA has to offer and how our services can benefit you and/or your organisation.

Concorde

Personal Message

“In my role as Chairman I aim to continue to improve and develop the services that BAWA offers its members. Last year's site improvements were concentrated on our sports facilities - we replaced and upgraded equipment in the gym, the hot water supply to the outdoor changing rooms was replaced, the tennis courts were professionaly cleaned and repainted and improvements to our bowling green were completed. Additionally all of our tills were replaced wth state of the art equipment. Already so far this year the Ballroom has been refurbished to a very high standard, the Pavilion has been redecorated and the hot water supply to our indoor changing rooms has been improved.

With regard to membership categories we held the cost of our bargain Sports Membership for a third year at just £1.50 per week for Constituent Company employees.

We made further improvements to our healthcare benefits for 2009 whilst keeping the subscription increase to an absolute minimum.

Do have a look through this website to see all that we offer our members - you will be surprised!

I finish by thanking all of our staff for their invaluable contribution in making BAWA the success that it is.”

Jim Bishop, Chairman of BAWA

Past, Present & Future

The sports ground at Filton showing the old Pavilion
Sports ground at Filton with old Pavilion

The Bristol Aeroplane Company Welfare Association was founded by Sir G Stanley White in 1942 to provide a centralised service for sickness pay and sports and social activities for employees of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. The “Welfare” soon became a very integral part of life at the “BAC”.

In 1959 Bristol Aeroplane Company split to become the British Aircraft Corporation and Bristol Siddeley Engines. During the following years various divisions and takeovers occurred, with the Welfare Association remaining central throughout.

In 1973 the Bristol Aeroplane Company Welfare Association underwent a subtle name change to become the Bristol Aerospace Welfare Association and the acronym BAWA was born.

In 1992 the Bristol Aerospace Welfare Association had a further name change and became BAWA Healthcare and Leisure.

War Relief 1940-45 pamphlet

Today, the major companies which evolved from the former Bristol Aeroplane Company are Rolls-Royce plc, BAE Systems plc and Airbus UK. These companies are at the heart of BAWA Healthcare and Leisure’s membership and additionally we have members employed by our newer constituent companies. The conference and leisure facilities generate enough income to enable BAWA to continually enhance its services, hence the recent major refurbishments of the Ballroom, Pavilion and Fitness centre.

 

Members of the BAC drama club in a performance of "Burning Gold"
Members of the BAC drama club in
a performance of "Burning Gold"

A policy is in place to ensure ongoing maintenance and development of the services and facilities at BAWA Healthcare and Leisure. This means that members will continue to receive the best value and the highest possible quality.

BAWA is exceptionally keen to support the local community. Every year many generous donations are made to a variety of local charities.

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BAWA 589 Southmead Road, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7RG    Tel: 0117 9768064   Fax: 0117 9768064