Page 45 - QARANC Vol 14 No 6 2013

THE GAZETTE QARANC 43
West Country Branch News
Chairman: Mrs Tina Maddams Secretary: Mrs Hazel Blackstone
The West Country branch has been in existence for forty-five years, founded by the late Col (Retd) Connie Vick (nee Long) when she retired to live in the west country. Our committee decided not to wait until the fiftieth anniversary, but to celebrate our forty-fifth.
To mark this milestone, the branch held a Celebration Luncheon at the Hartnoll Hotel in Devon on the 12th September 2012. A very enjoyable event, delicious food and the wine flowed! Twenty-two members attended plus several friends of members. We also had the pleasure of welcoming four officers from 243 Field Hospital (this unit being based in our area near Bristol). These four male Officers had a tour in Afghanistan ahead of them, so it was indeed a pleasure to have them join us before their departure. We have, over the past eighteen months, had a liaison with this unit thanks to Maj Amanda Manley who is their Regular Nursing Officer. Amanda lives in our area and made contact
through our branch secretary to see how we could link up.
Our Branch AGM followed by the luncheon, was held on the 23rd October 2012. We continue to attract new, younger members.
We now look forward to events for 2013. A Corps Day is being planned for 23 March. This is to take place at 243 Field Hospital. Our Spring Bring and Buy followed by luncheon will be held on the 11th May at the Beambridge Hotel. The final event is the AGM and luncheon at the Beambridge Hotel on the 23 October.
We are sad to report the death of Mrs Jean Kearney. Jean had led a very busy life in retirement being involved with voluntary work for various organisations. The Branch was represented at her funeral by Maggie Thornton.
The committee and members of the West Country Branch wish members of all other branches a very happy and peaceful 2013 Celia Blundell
West Country Branch 45th Anniversary celebration luncheon
Back row: left to right: Maggie Thornton. Penny Moody. Julia Bennett. Nia Dohmer. Carolyn Smith. Ann Shilston. Sheila Clark. Tina Maddams. Front row: left to right: Val Pickles. Celia Blundell. Amy Venn. Margaret Purvis. Sue Mills. Alice Woods. Hazel Blackstone. Margaret
Fernando. Pang Adams. Kay Foster.
Permission is given by the above personnel to reproduce the photograph in he Gazette. Copyright fees are not applicable.
both the British public and visitors from all over the world to their venues, hotels and cultural attractions throughout London. As almost all the volunteers knew London exceptionally well we often could direct them to the best rather than the recommended routes to their destinations. We were provided with excellent maps, and a wide variety of information on the Olympics, London and fun activities for all. Many people going to the events particularly the children even dressed in the red, white and blue to celebrate. Every day I was working there would be two or three people make a specific detour to thank us for the job we were doing in showcasing London. It has been a most rewarding experience and it looks as if the volunteering will continue as the Mayor feels that the programme was so successful that it should continue. There will be volunteers at the Chinese New Year and St Patricks Day Parades plus many other events through this year and in the future.