Page 20 - QARANC Vol 20 No 1 2022

20 The Gazette QARANC Association
NEWCASTLE BRANCH
Our excellent Leeds Armouries lunch
Newcastle Branch kept in touch with members during the on/off restrictions via Sunday Zoom meetings and some face-to-face gatherings.
Our September AGM was a good turn out and we welcomed a new committee member in Donna Hamilton, who is shadowing our treasurer.
The excellent Reunion Lunch in Leeds Armouries was attended by six branch members, who so thoroughly enjoyed themselves that we are organising a return branch trip to Leeds.
As ever our Christmas Dinner was held at the Britannia Airport Hotel. Despite some restrictions still being in place, a great time was had by all (well no-one told us otherwise!) and this year we were entertained by an excellent magician, who came round the tables and confounded everyone with his tricks.
Along with the singer, the disco and a lovely meal, it was a superb evening.
The Committee has been working
very hard and holding our meetings at a local hostelry has greatly helped with the decision making!
Our first meeting of 2022 was a particularly good one at the Royal British Legion Club in West Jesmond, with many past members of 201 Field Hospital attending, who are all in the process of joining the Branch.
Sadly, two of our members passed away in 2021. We mourned Maj Connie Maselino-Okai and Capt Dorothy Noble with standard paraded and branch members attending the funerals.
A number of events are planned this year: Ann Clouston, being an official Newcastle City Guide, has offered to lead walks around Newcastle, Sunderland and South Shields and are looking forward to a much better year for socialising.
Proposed dates:
Weds 6 April, 10.30: A walk around Newcastle to meet at Grey’s Monument.
Saturday 23 April, 14.00: Sunderland (Veterans’ Walk) meet at Sunderland Metro Station.
Monday 23 May, 10.30: Meet at South Shields Metro Station Fish and Chips after the walk.
Thursday 16 June, 17.00: Grey’s Monument (165 steps to the top), with meal before or after the climb.
Shirley Laverick-Stovin Chair