Page 190 - Mind, Body and Spirit No. 105 2021/22

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RAPTC ASSOCIATION NORTH EAST BRANCH SECRETARY’S REPORT
Dave Smith
With last year’s report being dominated by the continuing impact of Covid, I am pleased to be able to report a far more optimistic picture of events and activities within the North East Branch during the period April 2021 to March 2022. Even though things have opened up and life has returned to some kind of normality, the dark clouds of Covid still linger above us as we attempt to get the Branch back to business as usual. None of us can say when this will end, but end it will.
Regrettably, all the Annual Branch Reunions scheduled to take place between March and June 2021 had to be cancelled in order to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all members. It was a great disappointment having to cancel our annual North East Branch gathering for a second year running, but the light at the end of the tunnel was becoming much larger and brighter with the news that the RAPTC Association Service of Commemoration would be held on Saturday 11th September 2021 alongside the RAPTC Memorial within the grounds of the National Memorial Arboretum. A good number of Branch members were amongst the 160 retired and serving people who attended the service and enjoyed the sit-down meal that followed. The event was superbly organised as usual by our Regimental Secretary Lt Col (Retd) Gary Jones and culminated with the presentation of the RAPTC Annual Awards. Fittingly, the Gelder Trophy was awarded to Gary for his outstanding contribution to the Association, though there was a rumour that he had awarded it to himself following his announcement to retire in 2022, hence he would not get another chance to win it!
Also, in September, the North West Branch under the leadership of Sheff Appleby, became the first Branch to hold a reunion event post-Covid. A number of us from the North East Branch went along to Blackpool to support the gathering and though numbers were understandably modest, it was wonderful to be back together enjoying each other’s company.
The next opportunity for the North East Branch to gather was at the Remembrance Day Service and Wreath Laying in York on 14th November 2021 with 21 members in attendance. Following the main memorial service, a wreath was laid by Dave Smith on behalf of all the Branch before retiring to The Maltings pub for some refreshments and Corps chat. It was so good to be together again in order to pay our respects and remember those Corps members who have passed Beyond the Gym and also to all of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflict which allows us to enjoy the freedoms of today. We will remember them.
The most cheerless part of writing these notes is to notify of the sad passing of members ‘Beyond the Gym.’ In this reporting period the following Branch members have sadly passed on: John Ions on 20th September 2021 aged 86 following a tragic accident at home. John was a multi-talented sportsman and great Corpsman who
North East Branch Wreath Laying in York 2021
achieved so much in his full and rewarding life. John and his lovely wife Jean have been staunch members of the Branch for many years and he will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him; Dave Young passed away on 4th December 2021 after his illness with Motor Neurone Disease. Dave will be remembered, not only for his many successes in the Dojo, but also for his gymnastic and tumbling skills as well as his hilarious exploits for many years as the drunk in the Edwardians Display Team; One of our oldest and boldest members, Ted Dixon, passed on peacefully on 22nd February 2022 aged 90. Ted served in the Corps for 20 years and was a familiar face at Branch gatherings, not only in the North East but also in Scotland. For many years he and his great friend Harry Griffiths travelled to reunions together and would entertain anyone willing to listen with fascinating stories and tales of days gone by. A real live-wire to the end, Ted will be sadly missed; It came as an awful surprise to learn that Terry Goulding had passed away peacefully on 5th March 2022. Terry was a larger than life character serving for 28 years in the Corps and then continuing his close association in retirement, spending a couple of years as Regimental Secretary and many years as North West Branch Secretary. Although living in the North West, Terry also took on the vacant Secretary role of the North East Branch for a while in order to help it keep running; Sadly, one of our eldest members Noel Kinder passed away peacefully aged 98 years just two days before our 2022 Annual Branch Reunion. Noel transferred into the Corps in 1945 and left the Army in 1947 as a SSgt (SSI). He was always so proud of his time in the Corps and on his 90th birthday visited the ASPT and had a photo taken in Fox Gym which was published in the MBS. As a result of this photo, George Walsh from Scotland got in touch with Noel as they had gone through basic training together and not seen each other in over 50 years. As a result of this they stayed in touch regularly until George sadly passed away.
On a brighter note our eldest member is George Bleasby who celebrated his 99th birthday on 27th April 2022. Though George has some mobility issues he still remains actively involved with his local church and had been playing the church organ and bell ringing up until the Covid restrictions came into force. Since then he has kept in touch through monthly church group Zoom meetings and is well supported by his triplet daughters who look after his every need.
Tony Mee somehow finds time in his busy life as Lead Youth Development Coach with Doncaster Rovers FC to continue providing care for his lovely wife Sally who is so sadly suffering from Huntington’s Disease. Tony shows the most incredible strength and fortitude in managing these difficult personal circumstances whilst also taking every opportunity to raise funds to donate to the Huntington’s Disease Association (HDA).
Danny & Caroline Newman; Mick & Cathy Tarmey; Ashley Tarmey & Caitlan Shaw; Stephen Tarmey; Mick & Ellen Goodwin