Page 20 - The Gazette Autumn 2024

20 The Gazette QARANC Association
NORTHERN IRELAND BRANCH
Marking a special year with gusto!
Never to do things by halves, Northern Ireland celebrated the QARANC 75th year and the King’s official birthday on 15th June, with a special event at Hillsborough Castle.
Hillsborough, as you may know, is a Royal Residence as well as the official home of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. It has played an important role in the Northern Ireland peace process and the house and gardens are being restored to the original glory by the National Trust.
Members of 210MMR, the QARANC Association NI Branch and guests enjoyed a coffee on arrival before moving to the castle terrace for the Royal Gun salute to the King at 12 noon. Members of 206 Battery RA were smartly attired in their dress uniform as well as the guards of Hillsborough fort.
Our Branch committee set up a small display of QARANC uniforms past and present as well as items from RCN NI History of Nursing Group in Belfast, from a replica Florence Nightingale dress to a WW1 uniform.
The Lord Lieutenant of Belfast, Dame Fionnuala Jay O’Boyle, addressed those present gracefully and graciously about our Corps and the salute was taken by 2 Med Group Director of Nursing, Col Helen Singh KHN. This event will go down in the history of QARANC in NI, with much thanks to Lt Col Kevin Thomas DE 38X, Lt Col Gavin Maguire CO 210MMR,
SSgt
Burns was deservedly awarded the Glover prize for his hard work and dedication
Lt Col Amanda Byers SNO 210 MMR and Capt Shean Dewar, ROSO 210MMR for a remarkable day.
The Branch has expanded since the last Gazette. As well as keeping in touch and supporting members we find time to get together for a barrel of laughs!
In June, two of our members were shortlisted for the RCN NI Defence Nurse of the Year held at the Culloden in Belfast (congratulations to Maj Angela Gregg as winner and Lt Col Kerry McFadden-Newman as runner up). As part of the awards ceremony for the CNO symposium, our very own branch member and one of the SNCOs with 210MMR, SSgt Burns was deservedly awarded the Glover prize for his hard work and dedication within his role at the MMR.
Four members from the NI branch attended the 75th anniversary celebration dinner at Hampton Court Palace on 27 June. For the future, we will enter a team at the RAMC quiz night at 210MMR, and visit the Whitehead Railway Museum, followed by Christmas lunch in Belfast and a planned theatre visit to see War Horse in February 2025. So much to look forward to.
Maj (Retd) Nuala Green – Branch Chair