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The Eastern Branch Dinner was once again held at the Bury St Edmunds Golf Club, thanks in principle to our Chair and Treasurer (both members) and of course The Club Committee, to whom we extend our continued gratitude.
Our Chair opened the proceedings by extending the Committee’s welcome to The Regimental Secretary for his attendance and continued support throughout the year. He also extended the Committees heartfelt thanks to all those that had continued to support our Branch by their attendance on the evening.
Whilst it is generally difficult to increase our numbers of attendees, it does not detract from an extremely enjoyable day, culminating in the Dinner following the golf challenge.
The golf challenge saw Bob Duncan, Mick Gannon and Bill Robson take to the course and yet again our Treasurer, Bob Duncan, walked away with the George Talkington Trophy.
We were very privileged and honoured to see four previous SMAAs and their good ladies sit down with us:
• Dennis Martindale and Heather
• Tudor Quare and Pam
• Phil Watkins and Maureen
• Steve Collinson – Regimental Secretary
Additional attendees included, Bill and Anne Robson, Chic and Dianne Wilkinson, Bob Duncan, Tom Prentice, Jack and Ellen Goodwin, Jackie and Chris Gowers (Jackie is the daughter of the late Chas Trainor), Mick Stott and Vicky Ambley, Mick Gannon, Cass and Rachel Clay, Bill and Lyn McQuilkin.
Treasurer: Former WO1 (SMI) Bob Duncan
Rear Row (LtoR): Jack Goodwin, Steve Collinson, Phil Watkins, Chris Gowers, Frank Turmel, Mick Stott, Mike Gannon, Bob Duncan, Cass Clay, Tom Prentice, Pam Quare, Tudor Quare, Bill Robson, Bill McQuilkin, Chic Wilkinson. Front Row (LtoR): Ellen Goodwin, Maureen Watkins, Jackie Gowers, Vicky Embley,
Rachel Clay, Dianne Wilkinson, Ann Robson, Lyn McQuilkin
LtoR: Phil Watkins, Dennis & Heather Martindale, Frank Turmel
EASTERN BRANCH DINNER – FRIDAY 28 APRIL 2023
Maj (Retd) C Wilkinson MSc – Secretary Eastern Branch Chair: Maj (Retd) Bill Robson
Steve Collinson provided us with a detailed insight on “The Corps” from the SMAA’s Notes and also brought us up to date on “The Association”.
The whole evening culminated in the following activities:
• A team competition building “Pizza
Boxes” from scratch, led by Bob Duncan – “Dominos Pizza” rejected any job applications.
• A Word Quiz – hosted by Bob Duncan.
• Group Photograph.
It is always worth noting that these evenings may well be short in numbers, but they are never short in entertainment. Bringing our Corps Association Members together with their partners and/or family members is actually what these gatherings are intended for. We continue to show that we are a “Corps Family” and we are always there for each other.
Maureen Watkins and Rachel Clay
Jack & Ellen Goodwin