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of the four-course dinner and toasts, the Regimental Secretary, Lt Col (Retd) Steve Collinson addressed those present, thanking them for their attendance, congratulating all committee members for an excellent evening, updating them on key Corps achievements and current matters. After which we conducted the traditional Blackpool Raffle with prizes donated by attendees. The lively chat went on late into the night.
On Tuesday 5th December 2023, we gathered at the Grand Hotel Blackpool for our Annual General Meeting and Dinner, with a Christmas theme. All members attending were asked to wear something Christmas related, with the best themed individual being presented with a prize. A traditional Christmas fayre was the menu, with some members choosing the
Saturday Dinner – John McGonigle, Tony Winterbottom, John McGonigle Jnr, Ruth McGonigle, Louis Phillips, Mollie McGonigle
alternative option. Several people came up the night before to enjoy the Blackpool illuminations, local Bingo halls and the Pleasure Beach. A great night with likeminded people and a great start to the festive period.
My sincere thanks to all the committee members in their tireless approach to make all our functions such a success. To all those personnel who’ve attended any of our functions your support is appreciated, and we look forward to seeing you again next year.
To those of you who have never been to Blackpool, take the plunge and give it a shot. It’s not the place or the venue, it’s the like-minded people who we spend our time with, chewing the fat with colleagues, both young and old.
Friday Gathering – Sheff Appleby, Dee Kerridge, Lyn Higgs, Tom Parker, Mandy Lumsden, Caz Smith, Dave Smith, Harry Barrow, Margret Wignall
Christmas Dinner – Mick Ford, Angela Rafferty, Chip Rafferty, Kath Warburton, Dave Waburton, Brian Pyle
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The RAPTC North-West (NW) Branch Association continues to hold our annual events in The Grand Hotel, on the North Shore Seafront, Blackpool. However, due to increased costs and reduced access to the prestige rooms at the Hotel, the Branch will only hold one function per year from November 2024. This will be a combined Reunion Weekend and Christmas function, with a social evening on the Friday night and a Gala/Christmas Dinner on the Saturday evening and this will be held on the last weekend in November.
We commenced our 2023 Reunion weekend on Friday 29th September with a social gathering in the Chester Suite on Friday evening by tucking into a mixed array of food whilst continuing with our catch ups and tales of yester-year, before retiring at a particularly late hour (for some).
On Saturday 30th September many of the attendees went to the Fleetwood Markets, whilst others sampled the street Cafes of Lytham St Annes and the rollercoasters of the Pleasure Beach. In the evening, we reconvened in the Chester Suite for our Reunion Gala Dinner with background music and dulcet tales of times past. At the end of the dinner 2 spot prizes were awarded to the successful winners of a small game conducted during the breaks between courses. On conclusion
Saturday Dinner – John and Anne Jennings (Spot Prize Winners)
NORTH-WEST BRANCH
Lt Col (Retd) P Appleby, Chair, North-West Branch
Christmas Dinner attendees 2023
Friday Gathering – Eddie McMinn, David Redding, Barbara Redding, Kath Bryant, Danny Bryant, Linda Sorenson, John Sorenson, Pat McMinn, Peter Howarth