Page 47 - QARANC Vol 14 No 7 2013

We felt that this was a fitting conclusion to a very thought provoking and enjoyable visit to what has become quite rightly a national treasure.
Josephine Jones RRC
Three weeks to the day I was back up in the Arboretum this time as a Standard bearer along with 3 other Branches who had attended for the re-dedication of our QARANC Memorial Stone. Only 3 members of the branch were allowed to attend and having been on a visit in the past recent weeks I was doubtful if any other member would agree to join me but as always our members are very good at saying “if no one else volunteers I will keep you company” and so it was that Adele Rutledge and Anne Rhys Murray with husband attended the ceremony along with the DAN’s Col Peter Childerley, Col Commandants Rosie Kennedy, Sue Bush, and about 70 other members.
Padre Maj Young from the Whittington Barracks led us in the service and in the singing of the hymns. Col Childerley
read the first lesson and together we read the Corps Collect. As the Bugler Adrian Harper started to play the last post that was our cue to lower the Standards and this was repeated at
the beginning of the National Anthem.
It was wonderful to see quite a number of young serving
QA’s in attendance all looking very smart with highly polished shoes and wearing their new number one dress uniform.
At the end of the service wreaths were laid and of course lots of photographs taken. We then went off to the Marquee for lunch before leaving for home.
Our thanks to Heather and Donna for information and organisation of this very important event.
Future events: Cutty Sark and ride on the Thames Cable Car on 12th September 2013.
Christmas Bring & Buy and Lunch at Guys Hospital on 7th December 2013.
My best wishes to you all
Allison Johnson
THE GAZETTE QARANC 45
Chester Branch
Chairman: Col (Retd) Sylvia Quayle OBE
Secretary: Mrs Lynne Orfanelli
Our branch continues with its many functions. By the time you read this, our third reunion in Liverpool (which we will report on in the next Gazette), will have been and gone.
During the year the branch was saddened to hear the deaths of Mrs Ames, Mrs Burrell and Mrs White.
In March a group of us spent a week away staying at Wychnor Manor near Staffordshire. As usual we spent the days and evenings out and about, reminiscing about our time served. We shared a lovely apartment and again worked as team – starting with
Dorothy our Chef (and what she can do in the kitchen would give Jamie Oliver a run for his money!). Margret and Christine who kept us in line and on time. Sue for her directions when we out. My job was to keep the bar open (which I always seem to get and I can’t think why). And last but not least Liz, who organised it.
The main reason for our trip was that on Wednesday 27th March we met up with other members of the branch at DMS Whittington, Litchfield to celebrate Corp Day. It was a lovely day and the service was very moving. Afterwards we all made our way to the Officers Mess where the Countess of Wessex joined us. Sue Cooper and I had the pleasure
of being presented to her. It was a lovely occasion which will remain a very happy memory for all of us.
April saw our AGM at the Westminster Hotel where our Chairman, Sylvia, told us about two events that she had recently celebrated. The first was receiving her OBE and the second was getting married!
Our forthcoming events include our Annual Lunch once again taking to the waters on a canal boat and our Christmas Lunch at the Queen Hotel.
Next year however will be our 60th Birthday, and how are we going to celebrate that you may ask, well you will have to wait and see!
Lynn Orfanelli, Hon Secretary
Scottish Branch Report
Chairman: Lt Col Laura Murray Secretary: Isobel M Gibson
Scottish Branch currently has 77 retired members, 1 new member added this year. Unfortunately only a small group of around 20-26 attend the events on a regular basis.
During the year the Corps has been well represented at the National War Memorial Service at Edinburgh Castle, conducted by the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, the opening of the Garden of Remembrance in Princess Street Gardens, and the laying of the QA wreath at the cenotaph at Edinburgh City Chambers, followed by a service in St Giles Cathedral.
We continue to hold in November our Coffee Morning, Bring and Buy at Erskine Edinburgh Home which has very good facilities. Although Erskine has good access from the city bypass it is also near the Pentland Hills and owing to a moderate snowfall forecast on the day of the AGM in
March, this had to be cancelled but was rescheduled and held in April. One of the residents asked to join us for coffee after the meeting and enjoyed it so much he plans to attend again.
It is now more difficult due to advancing years in relation to distance and access for many members to attend outings and for that reason we did not hold a summer outing.
Many of the sick and frail have been visited or contacted by phone. Our oldest member, celebrated her 97th birthday in March. 90th birthday cards were also sent to four other members.
The annual lunch held in October has for many years been held at the Royal British Hotel which is near Waverly train station and the bus station, however due to upgrading work and a change to function rooms, they will no longer be able to accommodate us. At present we are investigating the possibility of going to the Royal Scot Club.
Isobel M Gibson, Scottish Secretary