Page 45 - QARANC Vol 19 No 1 2021

Chester Branch
The Gazette QARANC Association
Chair: Jill Mackeen Secretary: Lynn Orfanelli
Greetings from Chester Branch.
We have welcomed six new members to the branch, so we are still going from strength to strength. Sadly in 2020 we have lost three dear friends from Chester Branch, Dorothy Higson, Margaret Ledger and Daphne Arter. They were very active members of the branch and enjoyed meeting friends when attending the various functions.
The Social events we had planned, Corps Day at Port Sunlight, April Lunch, September Reunion in Llanduddno, AGM Lunch, Remembrance Service at Chester and Christmas Lunch all had to cancelled due to the restrictions of COVID-19. The reunion that was planned for September 2020 was cancelled and unfortunately the travel company we had booked with ceased trading. We have started planning for our next branch reunion and we are looking for 9 – 12 September 2022 in Manchester. Details of the weekend and how to book will be confirmed in the next Gazette.
We were given a donation by Mary Steven’s family. In consultation with the family we have agreed to purchase a base for our Branch Standard and a Port decanter for formal occasions where we toast Her Majesty, Colonel- in-Chief and especially remembering ‘absent friends’.
As you know every branch received a donation of £1,000 from RHQ to spend on its members. We choose to spend it in the form of a face mask and a voucher. We decided that the voucher could be a gift that the members could choose to spend as they wish.
Margaret Gregory has raised more than £4,000 for a lifesaving charity which helped her when she suffered a heart attack. Six years ago Margaret suffered a heart attack at home and was airlifted to the Royal Stoke University Hospital. Margaret has been raising money for the Midland Air Ambulance charity for the past few years by holding raffles on coach trips that she organises. The trips are on hold at the moment due to COVID-19. Well done Margaret.
It has been a difficult time for many members but we are keeping in touch with members and looking
Meg Fish laying a wreath at her local war memorial on VE Day 2020
forward to when we can meet up and enjoy ‘Fun and Fellowship‘ once again.
Lyn Orfanelli Secretary
Autumn 2020 news
Due to COVID-19 this years reunion has been cancelled and will now take place in 2022. Margaret Ledger and Dorothy Higson have unfortunaely passed away recently.
On VE Day Meg Fish laid a wreath at her local war memorial to remember those who died so that we could could celebrate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War 2 in Europe, and the freedom we enjoy today. Other memers decorated their houses with bunting, played music from the forties and enjoyed socially distance afternoon teas with their neighbours.
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BRANCH NEWS
Millbank Branch
Chair: Lindi Kibbey Secretary: Judy Cook
Millbank Branch had done all in its power in this roller coaster period to keep in touch with members, particularly those known to be alone or less able to get out, even if just for a walk.
Many of our members continue to work as usual, but busier during the pandemic and several are in the process of returning in some capacity.
Following several years of failing health, we were particularly sad
in January to lose Dorothy Wood, one of our longer serving members who many knew from her days in the Regulars and then TA. Dorothy moved from Sussex to Norfolk to be nearer family. Several members joined her wonderful and moving funeral service via Zoom. Hopefully we can submit an obituary for the next Gazette.
The usual Millbank busy programme of events has again been curtailed and we are keeping a close eye on whether the already once postponed battlefield tour to France will yet again be a casualty.
The Christmas lunch and Bring and Buy was certainly missed, hopefully we can have something similar in the summer, but without turkey.
Finally we have followed the lead of many branches and started Zoom meetings on a currently monthly basis. We hope to have speakers sharing topics, not all medical, followed by a ‘social chat’ whist we distantly sip a glass of something!
I wish everyone well, stay safe
Judy Cook Secretary