Page 38 - QARANC Vol 15 No 1 2017

36 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Summer visit 2016 – The Royal College of Surgeons
In mid-June 15 members and friends of the Millbank Branch met at The Royal College of Surgeons in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London for a visit to the Hunterian Museum. The museum revealed 400 years of medical history, from one of the oldest anatomical collections in the world to the latest advances in minimal access surgery.
Highlights included surgeon John Hunter’s collection of human & animal specimens, Lister’s first antiseptic spray and Winston Churchill’s false teeth. Unfortunately, a considerable portion of the Hunterian collection had been lost or severely damaged due to the bombing of London during the last war. However, the extensive exhibits remaining were very interesting.
We met at 10.30 for our tour commencing at 11am and
St Paul’s Cathedral
what an interesting half hour wait we had. Our guide was aware that we were ex-military nurses, so ensured that we saw the surgical exhibits related to advances during the past wars. Following our guided tour, we enjoyed further time for our own exploration.
On leaving The Royal College of Surgeons, we moved to a nearby restaurant for lunch. Having a downstairs room to ourselves gave a very cosy atmosphere with much conversation & enjoyment.
I would like to thank those members of the branch who assisted with the arrangements for the day, especially Allison
The annual City of London Remembrance service and wreath- laying ceremony took place on Sunday 13 November.
The Millbank branch QARANC association paraded with the Federation of the Old Comrades Association of the London TAs and auxiliary units. Our standard-bearer was Alison Browne with escorts Jane Parker and Barbara Johnson.
The service at St Paul’s Cathedral was beautiful, the acoustics and choir adding to the melancholy of the act of Remembrance. It was such an honour to carry the Standard into the cathedral and to parade from there to The Royal Exchange, behind the band of the Honorary Artillery Company, for the wreath-laying ceremony. Prince and Princess Michael of Kent were in attendance during the service and
Johnson, who is
Liz Gregory
sadly no longer with us.
wreath-laying, also taking the salute as we finally marched to the Mansion House.
Here a splendid lunch was hosted by the new Lord Mayor of London Dr Andrew Parmley. The atmosphere was enriched by the wonderful uniforms of the Pike Men and the Sheriffs. Prince and Princess Michael of Kent circulated amongst the guests.
Alison Browne
Jurassic Coast Branch Report
On 24 September we had a fabulous day when 22 of us started with lunch at The Watership Down Inn near Whitchurch in Hants followed by a visit to the Bombay Sapphire Gin Factory where we saw the large copper stills in which the gin is made. The tour included entering the room where all the various botanicals could be smelt from which we were urged to create our own concoction! A most enjoyable day even if gin is not your tipple. At the end of the visit of both the factory and the museum we were all given a cocktail to drink but for those drivers it was a mocktail with a miniature Bombay Sapphire and tonic to take home.
On 29 October we had our annual AGM and luncheon. It was attended by 16 QAs plus 5 husbands. We were fortunate to hold our AGM at Dudsbury golf course and Hotel where we were well looked after. This was followed by a lovely lunch.
Future events: Due to the QA Association 70th anniversary in 2017 it was felt there are enough functions without any branch events so our only event is the annual AGM and luncheon which will be held on 21 October 2017 at the Miramar Hotel in Bournemouth. All members and their
partners and non-members are welcome to attend. Please contact Branch Secretary Maj (Retd) Pat McKay on 01305 774560 or at the.pat.mckay@gmail.com.
Maj (Retd) Patsy May QARANC