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July – we met to celebrate the 17th
Anniversary of the branch. We were very pleased that our Area Chairman, Mrs
Patricia Stephenson, was able to come and share the occasion with us. She
presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Eileen Green who has a long
record of service in the ATS, serving as a WO2 and for sometime stationed at
Warley Barracks in Essex where we have a plaque to commemorate all the ATS
who served there.
September – we resumed our meetings and had as
our speaker, a representative from the Salvation Army who gave a talk on
“Tracing Families”.
October – our AGM was held at this meeting. The
Committee provided scones and jam and this proved popular so we shall most
likely repeat it next year!
November – as this is the run up to Christmas
meeting we try to have a speaker to reflect this so we invited Anita Howard to
talk to us. However, we had already heard her talk about Christmas so we
listened to an account of “Life in the 40’s and 50’s” which drew many comments
from members – (“our time” isn’t it!). Also in November, a wreath was laid at
the War Memorial in Chelmsford on Remembrance Sunday.
We regret that we have to record two deaths
since our last report. Vi Duckett, a former WO2 in the ATS, was a very keen
member who was liked by all who knew her. We shall perhaps remember her best
for her love of competitions, puzzles and composing limericks. She nearly
always managed to win as it was something she so much enjoyed, but Vi was a
great support in the work of the branch and we miss her cheery personality.
Daphne Thomas was an affiliated member having served in the WAAF. She too was an
enthusiastic member and enjoyed the company of friends within the branch and
coming to meetings.
Our membership is declining but for those of us
who are able to come to meetings – thank you for the support you give and to
those of you who cannot come along for any reason – thank you too – please keep
in touch with your branch.
Very best wishes for the New Year to all the
readers from Chelmsford. We hope the New Year will be a good and peaceful time
for us all.
Please contact the Honorary Secretary if you
would like to become a member of our branch. Tel: 01245 251088. |
