Page 28 - QARANC Vol 19 No 2 2021

26 The Gazette QARANC Association
Chester Branch
Chair: Jill Mackeen Secretary: Lynn Orfanelli
Greetings from Chester Branch.
We have welcomed new members to the Branch so we are still going from strength to strength. Sadly in 2021 we have lost one dear friend, Sylvia Hunter. Sylvia was great at arts and crafts and always made ‘something for our raffles’ which many of you will have won.
Like everyone it has been a difficult year but going forward the committee has been busy organising events for the remaining months of 2021, starting with the AGM in Chester Cathedral, visit to Port Sunlight, Remembrance Service at Chester Cathedral and ending with our Christmas lunch in December.
As you know we had to cancel the planned Reunion for last year. Drum roll... we are going ahead with one for next year, from 9 – 11 September 2022 in Manchester. Further details will be found elsewhere in the Gazette.
During the year many of our members have been busy in their local areas. Everything from litter picking, baking cakes and raising funds for the homeless, improving our joinery skills and many more.
It has been a difficult time for all of us but we have kept in touch and are now looking forward to getting together soon.
Lynn Orfanelli
QUEEN ALEXANDRA’S ROYAL ARMY NURSING CORPS ASSOCIATION CHESTER BRANCH
GRAND REUNION 2022
CALLING ALL PAST AND PRESENT MEMBERS OF THE QARANC
You are invited to join in a weekend of fun at The Mercure Hotel Manchester to be held on the 9–11 September 2022. We chose Manchester for what it has to offer, so unlike our previous reunions where we have organised trips, this one is yours to do as you wish - take in the arts, plenty of shops or maybe just spend time in Piccadilly Gardens - the choice is yours. All we ask is that you are back for the Gala Dinner with entertainment on the Saturday.
On the Sunday we hope to go to Manchester Cathedral. Our last reunion was a lovely occasion. It brought old friends together and a chance for us to make new friends.
At this stage all we ask is that you register your interest using the details below. Contact: Lynn Orfanelli
Email: l.orfanelli@tiscali.co.uk Telephone: 01829 741189 or 07903 856463
Newcastle Branch
Chair: Shirley Laverick-Stovin Secretary: Jacqui Hall
Greetings from Newcastle Branch
As many of us emerge out of the lockdown and tentatively stretch our wings to fly further towards a more normal life, Newcastle members have been continuing to keep in touch through other mediums available. In the early part of 2021, we continued to keep in touch mostly through phone calls, emails and a weekly Zoom chat. Still enjoyable but not the same.
The first event was supposed to be our usual meeting on 26 June, which was to include a curry lunch to welcome everyone back. Sadly, we all know what happened there! So, it has now been moved to 11 September to include our AGM. All are welcome, though we will need numbers for the catering.
So, our first get together was our Summer Ball (having morphed from Christmas Ball to Spring Ball due to the situation!), which was held on 9 July. Despite it being reduced in activities and numbers there were nearly 70 attendees and a grand time was had by all (see photo). Our Christmas event
Newcastle Branch Summer Ball
is booked for 3 December and open to everyone, so please get in touch if you are interested in joining us.
Some members have also joined in some local external meetings – the Veterans Breakfast Club, held on a Saturday morning at a local Newcastle hotel. Highly recommended and we have made some new friends. There is also one in North Shields which we are
going to visit soon. It is so lovely to now be able to plan these get togethers.
There are a few of us attending the reunion lunch in September and looking forward to meeting up with you all then.
Take Care and Stay Safe from all at Newcastle Branch.
Shirley Laverick-Stovin Chair