Abc1(x4): Hmm, I know a few who have done it before then, but perhaps they slipped through the net. I don't doubt your information, just that maybe HR don't check dates!
My advice to anyone who's unsure: call up HR before you do anything - at the moment, lots of things seem to be changing, and better to double-check the situation at your relevant time just in case! They're very helpful, but from what abc1 says, things will stick at 12 months for a while now I think...
Fifer: Well done - join the NATS 220 Facebook group and meet the rest of us summer starters