Page 58 - QARANC Vol 14 No 9 2014

56 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Welsh Branch
Chairman: Lt Col (Retd) Marilyn Williams RRC OStJ TD
Secretary: Maj (Retd) Rosy Hubbard TD
We have started the year well with some interesting visits, and many more planned:
AGM
Our AGM was on 8 March, and was attended by 18 members.
The morning ended nicely with a Buffet Lunch in the Officers’ Mess of 203 (Welsh) Field Hospital.
It was good to catch up with friends whom we had not seen since our Christmas lunch.
Freedom of Cardiff for
203 Fd HOSP
In April the Association had the privilege to be invited to join in the celebrations of 203 Fd Hosp when they were given the Freedom of the City of Cardiff.
It was even more memorable as it coincided with the Queen’s Birthday, which was recognised by a gun salute fired by 104 Regt RA in Cardiff City centre. This was followed by a march through the city by 203 Fd Hosp. Lunch was then taken in the prestigious surroundings of City Hall.
DANS symposium
A couple of our members attended this year’s DANS symposium, held over two days at Camberley on May 15-16th, which was focussed on Army Nursing in 21st Century Operations, and highlighted the requirements for nursing in future scenarios.
The speakers identified areas where research and training are required and there was much discussion regarding this. It was an excellent programme. In the evening there was a curry supper and an opportunity for retired Association members to talk to young regular soldiers and share experiences. The values of the old guard are still very much with our
young generation. There were only a few retired Association members in attendance and DANS hoped that next year this would increase. It is a very good opportunity to keep up to date with the Corps and not to be missed. Marilyn Williams
Armed Forces Day
On 28 June Cardiff celebrated its annual Armed Forces Day, commencing with a parade which started off from the castle and marched through the town, led proudly, as usual, by Shenkin the goat, the mascot of the Royal Welsh.
This year was extra special because it was visited by the Mayor and many members of the Dutch city, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, to commemorate 70 years since the 53rd Welsh Division had liberated them, in October 1944. The names of the 146 men who died in the battle are engraved in the windows of the ‘s-Hertogenbosch City Hall.
A Dutch bicycle team also carried the “Burning Torch of Freedom” on a 5 day cycle tour from the Welsh graves in the Netherlands to symbolically signify the return of the 146 that gave their lives, to their homeland. This was presented to the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, at the Drum Head Service.
The Dutch city also brought their own Brass Band & Mixed Choir, who proudly sang several songs in English.
Many other events on the day included displays by: Police Dogs, White Helmets Motorbike team, Welsh horse, Sea Cadets Semaphore & Gun Run.
Rosy Hubbard
HON BRANCH SECRETARY
Corps Day
On Sunday 30 March, 22 members & guests celebrated QARANC Corps Day at 203 Fd Hosp. The service was held by Father Ray O’Shea followed by an interesting Afghanistan presentation by Cpl Jess Firmstone on ‘Mentoring Medics in the Afghan National Army’. This was followed by curry lunch in the Officers’ Mess.
Nordic walking
In May a group of 11 members decided to try our hand at this increasingly popular sport. The course was run by one of our members, Marian Lewis, and 2 colleagues on a purely voluntary basis. We started the day with a training session, followed by lunch at the Brecon Mountain Centre. It was a lovely hot day, and a real treat to enjoy our food al fresco at this idyllic spot, with a wonderful view of the mountains in the background. Afterwards a few of the “fitter” members went for a short walk. The day ended with “Welsh” Cream Tea, to replace the calories we had just burned off!