Page 169 - Mind, Body & Spirit Number 104 2020/21

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SECRETARIES REPORT
RAPTC ASSOCIATION NORTH EAST BRANCH
Dave Smith
Inevitably the content of this report for the period April 2020 to March 2021 is dominated by the unprecedented circumstances we have all had to endure with the emergence and subsequent impact of the highly infectious coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
At the beginning of March, as many of our North East Branch members arrived in Blackpool to support the 2020 North West Branch Annual Reunion weekend, the full scale and significance of the virus was beginning to emerge. As we gathered together there was a palpable sense of hesitancy and nervousness in the customary handshakes, hugs and kisses. I would never have imagined at this point that in the months to come my hands would consume more alcohol than my mouth and that life would very soon become less about social gathering and more about social distancing.
A few days later in hospital after pre-planned cervical spine surgery, my surgeon shared with me his insight into just how serious the situation was. We were obviously on the cusp of a dreadful event with serious safety and health implications. Dave Warburton and I had already finalised the preparation for our North East Branch Reunion weekend with confirmed numbers of 80 for our Friday Social and 110 for the formal Dinner Night. Numbers for the annual golf and crazy golf competitions were good and everything was set with just three weeks to go. My concerns about the virus threat were shared by the Committee and we agreed that our ultimate consideration must be to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our members. Clearly the situation was going to get worse before it got better and with the forthcoming Government announcement of emergency powers for social distancing and self isolation of the over ‘70s, with great regret we decided that the safest option was to cancel the event. We did consider the option of rescheduling the event for later in the year but soon ruled that out because there were so many unknowns and uncertainties in how the virus might run its course in the months ahead.
Just one week later most major events were suspended as the UK’s first coronavirus fatalities sadly emerged. On March 23rd, the week before our scheduled reunion weekend, the first national lockdown was imposed thereby vindicating our early decision to cancel our event. Sadly other Branch Reunions then had to follow suit and there is no doubt that the absence of these reunion opportunities left a significant gap in the social life of those people who loyally support Branch functions. The importance of these events cannot be understated as they are so critical in fostering Esprit de Corps, comradeship, welfare support and contributing to the maintenance of contact between past and present members of the Corps.
By June with some cautious signs of the virus abating, the thoughts of the committee turned to the possibility of a rescheduled 2020 Branch Reunion later in the year. However we quickly realised the futility of this due to the unpredictable course the virus was taking. Protecting the health of our membership has always been at the heart of our decision making, so all plans for a 2020 event were reluctantly deferred. Little did we know that by January 2021 the country would enter its third lockdown and once again the Committee were left in the unenviable position of abandoning any plans for our usual gathering in early 2021. Instead our thoughts turned to the possibility of a reunion later in the year when hopefully the pandemic might be under control with life back to some kind of normality.
As we learned to adapt to these difficult and challenging times, stories emerged of novel and innovative ways for people to maintain their Mens Sana in Corpore Sano. Living rooms, garages
and sheds were transformed into improvised gyms; cobwebs were dusted off bicycles; and those with the ability to ambulate strode out at variable paces (and a safe social distance). Receiving toilet rolls, hand sanitiser and flour in your online shopping delivery was like winning an Olympic medal. Clapping for heroes became the highlight of the week and an opportunity to change out of pyjamas into actual clothes. Home hairdressing evolved into an extreme sport and we learned that Zoom was not just a running speed but also another excuse to get dressed (at least from the waist up) and participate in virtual communication, as long as you knew how to work the mute button. Sadly, relaxing with some classic old movies was doomed to fail with offerings such as Groundhog Day; Home Alone; Brassed Off; The Mask; Carry on Regardless and Oh What a Wonderful Life!
On a more serious note during these periods of enforced separation and isolation great efforts have been made by the Committee to maintain communication with our members through email, telephone calls and social media. The North East Branch has its own facebook page with a good following and pleasingly the North West and Eastern Branches have since joined the world of technology with their own facebook pages. Online chat and banter grew, many Corps related photos appeared which stimulated the sharing of some great memories and Eli Dawson, our enthusiastic Corps Museum Curator, posted some very challenging Corps history quizzes on the Museum Facebook page and hosted online virtual tours of the Corps Museum.
At the time of writing the Branch are fortunate to have two nonagenarians who gratefully receive regular updates on Branch and Corps matters and personal contact through emails and telephone calls from the Committee and Ian Dean in particular as our dedicated welfare Point of Contact. George Bleasby is our eldest member at 98 years of age and served in the APTC from 1945 to 1947. He lives in Hull and remains very active despite his reduced mobility. George still plays the organ and rings the bells at his local church and even participates in monthly church meetings via Zoom! He has had to give up driving recently due to his failing eyesight but has traded his motor in for a souped up mobility scooter. Noel Kinder is still a livewire at the age of 97 years (he has his own facebook page) and lives near Goole with his wife Sonia. Noel also served with the APTC between 1945 and 47. His son Steve tries to keep up with him and acts as our email conduit for Corps updates and matters. Noel tells us that he still enjoys life, has no worries and considers himself very blessed with his support network around him of 26 grandkids!
On a more sombre note, it is with great sadness we remember and pay our respects to those Branch members who have sadly passed ‘beyond the gym’ during this reporting period. Mick Kassai transferred into the Corps in 1964 from the 17/21st Lancers, completing his service as WO2 in 1978. Mick sadly passed away in hospital in July 2020 after a long illness. George McCallister passed away in Huddersfield Royal Infirmary in April 2020 aged 72 after being diagnosed with coronavirus. George was well known and much respected both as a talented Corpsman and also through his remedial and rehabilitation work in the Corps and later in professional football with Huddersfield Town and Tottenham Hotspur. Frank Bruin at 98 years of age had been our oldest member but sadly passed away peacefully at home in Middlesbrough on 7th December 2020, four years after losing his wife of more than 70 years Joyce. After transferring from the Kings Royal Rifles Frank served in the APTC between 1945 and 1947. In his later years Frank always appreciated being contacted and remembered by the Corps. Harry Griffiths passed away peacefully on 11th December 2020 aged 88. He was a proud Yorkshire lad