Page 23 - QARANC Vol 20 No 2 2022

The Gazette QARANC Association 23
JURASSIC COAST BRANCH
Bringing back the Swinging Sixties at our online party
In February, Jurassic Coast branch rolled back the years with a 1960s themed party held on a rather more modern invention – Zoom.
Everyone made such an effort with their costumes and even the menu and drinks reflected the era including prawn cocktail and Mateus Rose. The music quiz was won by Judy Evans. There was also dancing to music from the era which made for a truly unforgettable evening. It was also a novel way to gather and mark HM The Queen’s Platinum year.
The pretty church of St Andrew’s Preston in Weymouth hosted the branch’s Corps Day service. It was led by the Rev Ada Whittock (on the theme of healing) and assisted by organist John Taylor. The sun shone and 28 people attended including members, guests and visitors. We were honoured to have Pt Meg Lydford, QARANC Student Nurse, in attendance.
Moira Dixson read from the Bible and hymns, chosen by Sue Shrimpton included Jerusalem and of course our Corps Hymn and the National Anthem. The vicar, organist, and his wife Norah joined us at the lunch and our Chair Marjorie Bandy warmly welcomed everyone. The noise of everyone talking was wonderful to hear as we had not been able to have a Corp Day for three years.
Meanwhile, our QA Reminiscences blog (qareminiscences.blogspot.com)
have passed another milestone of 20,000 visitors, which is marvellous. New stories are still being added and are always a very interesting read. A wine tasting and vineyard tour was planned for September at the time of writing.
Finally, I want to mention that Jurassic Coast members were proud to lay two wreaths to honour Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS) nurses at Commonwealth War Grave cemeteries at the last Remembrance Day.
The first was laid by Pat Murray at the grave of Assistant Nurse Hook in Chickerell Weymouth Dorset, who died on 10 November 1918. The second
was laid by Sue Allun Jones at Sutton Veny Church in Warminster, at Staff Nurse Katie Bolger’s grave – she died 5 March 1916.
Sue Shrimpton, committee member
Correction: In the Spring Gazette we said that Merrill Bate had sent a copy of the Jurassic Coast Blogs to HRH The Countess of Wessex. This was incorrect, in fact she purchased a copy which was then sent to the Countess by the Regimental Secretary.