Page 23 - QARANC Vol 20 No 3 2023

The Gazette QARANC Association 23
MIDLANDS BRANCH
‘We were determined to bring the family together again’
Midlands Branch Chair Major Darren Illingworth reports on key events from 2022 – the year when we could all ‘meet again’
In 2022, as the pandemic restrictions abated, our branch was determined to bring the family together again and create opportunities for our members to meet.
Our first event was joining the nursing students from the Defence School of Healthcare Education as they celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at Hamstead Campus. In true British tradition, they had organised an outside bar, team games and an inflatable (for the kids honestly). They even arranged a visit from an ice cream van to the delight of the children (young and old).
With a marquee full of home-made cakes and sweets that would give ‘Bake Off’ a run for its money, the atmosphere was relaxed, and we all enjoyed the summer weather sat around picnic blankets.
I have to say a personal thanks to the girls’ team for adopting my eldest boy as part of their tug-of-war team. It was a truly great event, friends, colleagues, and families in collective celebration.
Taking advantage of the glorious summer weather, our next get-together was in July, something that is becoming a Branch tradition - a ‘picnic in the park.’ Sutton Park was the ideal venue to pop up a sunshade and to come together with picnic baskets packed with sandwiches, pies and of course - cakes!!
Although lower in attendance we were again joined by some of the students whose connection with the Association bridges the age gap and by the serving and retired. The sun was shining, and the music played – what better setting to enjoy an afternoon with friends and to have a ‘friendly’ game of Boules.
Due to venue availability we had to bring the AGM forward, which meant it was held in the wake of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. In respect and following protocol the branch didn’t have our usual celebratory lunch, rather the focus of the meeting (apart from the necessary business) was one of reflection and opportunity to pay our respects to not only The
With a marquee full of home-made cakes and sweets that would give ‘Bake Off’ a run for its money, the atmosphere was relaxed, and we all enjoyed the summer weather
sat around picnic blankets
Queen, but to two of own members that we had to say goodbye to Ms Ann Williams and Ms Ursula Cowell.
Our penultimate event of the year was a more joyful gathering, afternoon tea at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) to celebrate the 80th birthday of one our most cherished members Yvonne Thick. The afternoon was low key, members met at 1300hrs at the front of the NMA, before moving into a private area to have a traditional afternoon tea. The staff were first class, the food plentiful, with enough cakes to take home. The room was buzzing with conversations as members caught up, and the birthday celebration concluded with Yvonne blowing out the candles on her specially made cake. Afterwards, we waked the short distance to the QARANC memorial, to pay our respects and lay a wreath from the branch.
2022 was a year of coming together post Covid, and though we have had to say a final goodbye to some of our members, we have been able to do this collectively rather than in isolation. As I write we are looking forward to our Christmas Lunch, and to more adventures in 2023.
Maj Darren Illingworth Chair Midlands Branch