Page 50 - QARANC Spring 2024
P. 50
50 The Gazette QARANC Association
SCOTTISH BRANCH
Big Bobble Hats and lots of winter fun!
Here we are again. Having celebrated Christmas and New Year, it must be time for another Gazette article! I confess that I used some of the quieter moments over the festive period to return to the Autumn edition of the Gazette and really enjoyed reading it again.
Of special mention were the articles relating to the Coronation; I could feel the pride, not to mention some slight anxiety of the parade participants leaping off the page. It was great to read about those who provided the healthcare support, who kept marching personnel quite literally on their feet – what an honour and privilege for all who took part, something I’m sure they will never forget.
As ever, our Branch was well represented at the various commemorative events leading up to Remembrance Day. Members attended the Services of Dedication to mark the opening of the Gardens of Remembrance in Edinburgh and Glasgow, where our Branch Secretary Sheila Jones laid our wreath.
Our very own Michelle Drayton-Harrold and Una Smith were both at the Glasgow event, Michelle volunteering for Poppy Scotland and Una for SSAFA. Una was delighted to introduce us to her charge for the day as she navigated his wheelchair around George Square. On Remembrance Sunday Harriet Grant laid our wreath at the Stone of Remembrance at the City Chambers in Edinburgh.
Not long after we were gathering in Glasgow for our Festive Lunch amid a blanket of thick white snow. To say that travel conditions were difficult was an understatement and we fully expected cancellations, but in the end only a couple of members were unable to be there. We decided to streamline the usual raffle as due to the large number of prizes, it was taking
Not to be deterred in their search for coffee and scones, our members managed to find room
at Harvey Nichols, where they were very well looked after
up an increasing amount of time for those running it on the day. However, the winners were delighted with their prizes and the draw made a substantial contribution to Branch funds. A very grateful thanks to all who participated.
Our Coffee Catch Ups remain ever popular and for the first time we managed to get up to the North East, where we spent a lovely morning in Inverurie. A regular haunt is the Dome in Edinburgh, usually after it has been decorated for Christmas when it looks spectacular. Shock, horror! This year there was no room at the Dome! Not to be deterred in their search for coffee and scones, our members managed to find room at Harvey Nichols, where they were very well looked after. Another favoured location is The Walled Garden in East Lothian. We met there on Christmas Jumper Day, and yes, there was a fair few of them being worn.
We have also seen the launch of the QARANC Army Nursing Big Bobble Hat, commissioned by the Scottish Branch in celebration of our wonderful QARANC Association. I hope you will all love it as much as we do. There was an extremely cold wind blowing the day the photograph was taken so I can guarantee that it definitely keeps you warm. The hats cost £25 and can be purchased online from Big Bobble Hats UK. Even better, for every hat sold, Big Bobble Hats will donate an extremely generous £7 to the QARANC Association; every little helps as they say! Go on, you know you want one...
Unfortunately, several of our members have been affected by the weather so far this year, with homes flooded, cars water damaged and even garden sheds that have been ‘relocated’ several gardens away! It’s impossible to predict travel conditions and for that reason we have stuck with our Zoom Coffee Catch Ups so it will be great to meet up in person again in March when we celebrate Corps Day in Perth.
Karen J Irvine RRC, Branch Chair