Page 30 - QARANC Vol 20 No 1 2022

30 The Gazette QARANC Association
ALDERSHOT BRANCH
Festive lunch raises funds for good cause
It was a case of Christmas and New Year rolled into one when members of the Aldershot Branch along with some RAMC Association guests were finally able to get together at the Army Golf Club in January.
Branch members were joined by serving members from the Army Medical Directorate, 22 Field Hospital and Joint Hospital Group (South East) and enjoyed the opportunity to reminisce with old friends as well as new.
The event marked the last Association event as a serving member for Lt Col Tess Grieves, Commanding Officer of JHG (SE) before her retirement. The branch wishes her health and happiness for the future.
A raffle raised £140 which will be used to support the welfare of branch members as well as going towards future social events.
JURASSIC COAST BRANCH
Autumn
seemed to
Zoom by
After a Summer break our Saturday evening zoom began again, this time every 2 weeks whereas, previously they had been weekly.
Some zooms have been social and a catch up and at others we have had someone give a presentation. Recently we had a very interesting insight into the life of Dame Margo Turner by Jan Westbury. These zoom meetings have provided continued support and contact for members.
In October, Jurassic Coast members Sue Shrimpton and Kay Foster, together with other QARANC Association members, attended the unveiling of the Florence Nightingale sculpture at the old Cambridge Military Hospital (CMH), Aldershot. Weston
Homes are developing the CMH into luxury flats. The statue’s plinth is made of stone from the Jurassic coast. We had a lovely nostalgic time catching up and reminiscing.
How wonderful it was to finally meet face to face for our AGM in October at the Haven Hotel in Poole, Dorset. There were 24 of us, including four husbands who sat on the veranda and admired the sea view, whilst we had our meeting.
A slide show of members in various postings during their service was shown and enjoyed. The bring and
buy table was very popular and walnuts from Moria and Bob Dixon’s tree were delicious. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch and time flew by.
Our weekly blogs were which record the experiences of QAs were printed and distributed at the AGM. They can also be read at qareminiscences.blogshot.com. One was sent to HRH the Countess of Wessex by Merrill Bate.
Sue Shrimpton,
Press Committee member