I always find it difficult to think back of what we
have done in the Branch, it doesn’t seem very much until you start to put
your brain in gear and thinking yes – we have been busy. We finished last
year with our usual Bring and Buy sale and Christmas nibbles, along with
Sandra Steadman’s Christmas cake which is always a treat, definitely nothing
left over this time, although we did keep a slice for our Chairman.
In January we had a talk by a Fire Service Prevention
Officer. This was enjoyed by everyone and several members took up the offer
of free checks. Plenty of advice was given. We were looking forward to our
Annual Lunch in February, our theme was the ATS and, as it was also
Valentine’s Day, we had heart shaped balloons and the chef made a special
heart shape dessert. We were once again pleased to have as our special
guests, Lt Col (Retd) Sue Westlake, Lt Col (Retd) Val Trout, Maj (Retd)
Maskens-MacIntyre and a serving officer from the Recruiting Office who is
also ex-WRAC - Major Debbie Noble. Sandra Steadman made bookmarks to give
everyone and she also had our guests line up and dancing (unbelievable). I
think everyone enjoyed the day – there was certainly a good atmosphere and
the staff at the Bristol Marriott obviously enjoyed it.
Everyone who applied to go to London for the ATS 70th
Anniversary Celebration was looking forward to it. Congratulations to our
General Secretary, Major Jane Freebairn, Council and everyone involved for
making it a day to remember. Bristol ladies are still talking about it.
Bristol Branch has been invited to take part in
Veterans Day on 28 June, to be held in the City Docks. We are having a
display featuring the role of the ATS and WRAC and also what we as a Branch
do or have done. Hopefully this will encourage those who visit our stand to
take a membership form and join us. One of our members, Edwina Male who is
ex-WRAC, is being presented with her Veterans Badge by the Lord Mayor.
Edwina also features on a recruiting poster which will be on display. We
are looking forward to this and hopefully the publicity will be useful too.
We are taking our display on the following Saturday to Weston super Mare –
lots of ATS were stationed round that area so again we may generate interest
for new members.
Sadly one of our members, Joyce Pullar, died in
April. Joyce had been in a nursing home for a while and was being visited
regularly by one of our members. The Chairman and Secretary and members
attended the funeral and the WRAC Collect was read at the committal and
again at the service.
Bath Branch hosted the Area Reunion. It is always
nice to meet with members from the Branches in our Area, nice to see
familiar faces and do what we all do best - ‘chat’! We had a very good
reunion: our thanks to Bath Branch.
Sadly, Audrey Stevens, one of our oldest members has
moved to Weybridge. We will miss her in the Branch; she was always ready to
give advice and encouragement.
We are organising an ATS 70th Anniversary Celebration
Coffee Morning on 11 September which will be preceded by a service in the
Lord Mayor’s Chapel and we welcome any ATS or WRAC to join us for the
service as will members of the public. The coffee morning will be by ticket
only.
Several of our Branch members have purchased an
Association Fleece, mine was used at Weymouth and I was glad that I had it
as it did turn chilly.
Editor: See the advert elsewhere in the magazine –
they really are excellent value.
