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contact or company. The Branch has a few octogenarians who all soldier on without complaint and continue to loyally support Branch functions and gatherings. The committee remain steadfast in monitoring the welfare of all our members, in particular those for whom time is ticking by and those beginning to gradually show signs of wear and tear.
My role as the dedicated Point of Contact (POC) for Branch welfare matters is a vitally important function as the Branch Committee prides itself on how it responds to welfare matters at Branch level and the effectiveness of its communication with HQ. The role requires quite a lot of time and dedication but, having established a good rapport and position of trust with those being supported, the benefit to all concerned is absolutely priceless.
The committee are indebted to those members who can always be relied upon to join them on the sad occasions of funerals to pay respects to fallen comrades and support the bereaved families. These members know who they are and I do not need to mention them all, but of particular note I should mention Pete and Lesley Harburn, John and Anne Jennings and of course our Branch Standard Bearer Brian Pyle and his wife Karyn.
The NE Branch willingly support the RAPTC ‘Tin Phys’ initiative driven so diligently by WO2 (QMSI) Liam Baldwin and the Annual Reunion Gathering provided an ideal opportunity for members to donate items to this worthy cause with all donations going to the Trussell Trust Foodbank Organisation. In all 76 food and non-food items were generously donated over the weekend and the Secretary has arranged to deliver these to the Trussell Trust Foodbank Centre in York.
Brian Pyle - Mini Golf Competition Winner with playing partners Olukayode Dosunmu and ‘Duffers Putter’ Winner - Maxine Beckett
Members Enjoying the Superb Dinner Night
After two extremely successful Annual Branch gatherings since relocating to York, the 2024 NE Branch Annual Reunion gathering took place once again in the excellent Park Inn Hotel on 5th/6th April. Having established a special working relationship with the hotel management, we have been superbly well looked after on each of our events held here and this year’s event was no exception.
The informal Friday social evening was wonderfully well attended with 75 members enjoying a hot two course buffet meal and some fundraising entertainment. Yours truly once again came up trumps with a fantastic selection of donated raffle prizes with the proceeds from the raffle, along with those raised from the evening entertainment going into Branch funds to be used for the benefit of the members. The key merit of holding this casual evening is to provide an opportunity for people to get around and speak to everyone they would like
Tony Mee, Shelley and Geoff Chapman, Mike Arnell at the Mini Golf Competition
to, something that is not always possible at the more formal Saturday Dinner, and I have no doubt that this format reinforces and enhances the popularity and success of our gatherings.
The 2024 Annual Branch Golf Competition was scheduled to be held on Friday afternoon at the Pike Hills Golf Club in York. Dicky Parker had kindly volunteered to co-ordinate the competition but, unfortunately, due to the prolonged dismal weather leading up to the weekend the competition was unable to take place due to the golf course being waterlogged.
The Mini Golf Competition did take place as anticipated at the excellent indoor Puttstars complex in York with a good turnout of 24 players having great fun despite displaying some questionable putting skills. The competition was superbly organised and managed as usual by the ever enthusiastic and fun- loving Geoff and Shelley Chapman. Under their stewardship this little seed of an idea from a few years ago has grown into an enormous continued success. This year we had to take pity on the “proper” golfers whose golf day was cancelled due to the prolonged wet weather and magnanimously invited them to join us. Ironically it was one of them, Brian Pyle, who somehow managed to win the competition but we won’t hold it against him.
Saturday evening proceedings got underway with a well-attended AGM with plenty of deep and meaningful discussion on agenda items relating to important Branch matters that affect all of our members. I am grateful to all those who take the trouble to attend the AGM.
The bar and lounge area swiftly came alive with the buzz of conversation as people arrived for complimentary pre-Dinner drinks before being called forward for Dinner. The hotels Henley Suite function room looked absolutely amazing, a vision