Page 44 - QARANC Vol 14 No 11 2015

42 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Welsh Branch
Chairman Lt Col (Retd) Marilyn Williams RRC OStJ TD Secretary Maj (Retd) Rosy Hubbard TD
AGM
After a busy and enjoyable year, 13 members gathered together at 203 Fd Hosp for our AGM to discuss past events and plan our year ahead. The meeting was followed by an interesting and informative talk by Phil Williams of the Defence Medical Welfare Service.
The meeting was followed by a very nice buffet lunch.
NATIONAL QARANC CORPS DAY
Two of our members had the very nice experience of attending the National QARANC Corps Day, which, this year, was hosted by the NI Branch in Belfast.
The Service of Thanksgiving took place at St Anne’s Cathedral, and was taken by The Reverend Doctor D G Coulter, QHC Chaplain General of HM Land Forces. We were also able to view the beautiful QA and RAMC stained glass windows in the cathedral.
Following the Service there was a Reception at the Titanic Building in the centre of Belfast, an amazing building which tells the story of the Titanic from her conception in Belfast, through her construction and launch, to her famous tragic maiden voyage.
Corps Day
Our annual Branch celebration of Corps Day was held at 203 Fd Hosp, and attended by 13 Branch members, together with a number of 203 QA personnel.
Following the service a very interesting presentation was given by Peter Starling, former curator of the AMS Museum, about Women in the Army Medical Services, from the Civil War up until today. Afterwards we enjoyed a Curry Lunch in the Mess.
DANS Symposium, AGM and reunion
A few of our members serving and retired were able to attend the DANS Symposium on 14 -15 May ‘Be the Best to care for the Best’ which proved to be an exceptional programme.
On the first day Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex GCVO Col- in-Chief Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps attended, and during the lunch break a couple of our members were honoured to meet her.
There were two evening events,
a Regimental Dinner and a Curry Supper, which were enjoyed by all who attended.
The DANS Symposium was open to all members of the Regular, Reserve and Associations of the QARANC, and was a very enlightening enjoyable two days, and well worth attending.
The 67th Annual General Meeting and Reunion was held on Saturday 16 May at the Victory Services Club London, and was well attended. A number of our Branch members joined in, and it was so good to meet up with old friends and renew acquaintances. M Williams
Turning the Pages
On Wednesday 3 June two members of our Branch joined other Branch members for the annual “Turning the Pages” which once again was held at the National Memorial Arboretum. It was a lovely sunny day, which made the poignant ceremony at the QA Memorial, with Standards proudly displayed, even more enjoyable.
We then visited the newly erected very fine RAMC Memorial.
Afterwards we wandered through the Arboretum to one of the marquees where we enjoyed a very nice buffet lunch.
Armed Forces Day Saturday 27 June
It was a beautiful sunny day for the annual celebration of Armed Forces Day and it turned out to be a very well attended event.
This year a few of our members manned a tent at the site where they were able to promote our Branch activities to the general public and trawl for new members; which had a good outcome in the enrolment of two new members. It also provided a resting and refreshment place for weary members.
It was a full and entertaining day comprising, a Military and Veterans March through Cardiff, our Chairman joining in the march, and, a Drum Head Service which this year took place in Cardiff Castle Grounds, which was a wonderful setting, with the view of the castle in the background. The ongoing arena events were: a re-enactment of the Battle of Waterloo, a Cadets Field Gun Competition, a bridge building display by the Royal Monmouthshire Engineers and music from the Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh.
There was also, as usual, ongoing live music on stage, by Welsh artists.
R D Hubbard SECRETARY