Lincoln and District Branch

Another busy few months for the branch. The end of June saw us at Ayscoughfee Hall for the dedication of the new ATS stone in the memorial garden and what a beautiful setting. The branch was very well supported by members of the local Royal British Legion, the Leader of Spalding Council and, of course, our members and families. A lovely buffet lunch was enjoyed after the service courtesy of June Booth and Nan Waters.

Armed Forces Day was celebrated in Lincoln with a band and displays for the various Associations who belong to the Lincolnshire Ex-Services Association (LExSA) to advertise and recruit new members. As you will see from our photo we had a very smart stand and found three ex-WRAC and one ex-ATS. We have booked our space for next year!

At the beginning of July an evening meal was held at the Carre Arms in Sleaford and a record number of fifteen attended. We also welcomed two new members, Marie Arch and Christine Maxwell.

Wednesday 22^nd July heralded a momentous event for our branch with a visit to Buckingham Palace. We received 20 invitations to attend the Not Forgotten Association Garden Party. Due to the number of members in the branch all the names went into a hat. After three pick-up points we headed down the Al (after a fright - Joan Sharp did not have a ticket; but thanks to Anne at the NFA all was resolved) and stopped for lunch and a quick change in the Ladies in South Mimms Services for those who had travelled casually dressed. Well done to the branch members who all 'scrubbed up' beautifully for the occasion. Three members of the Royal family were in attendance - the Duke of Kent and Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Wessex, and several members were privileged to meet them. Afternoon tea, a walk around the gardens and the band of the Irish Guards Beating Retreat are all experiences we will be talking about for a long time to come. We could bore you to tears with tales of “Remember when we were at the Palace………."

Lincoln and District Branch at the Palace

Our August meeting was a culinary delight with our resident Chef, Marion Raithby, providing a super lunch with a choice from chicken curry and rice, cottage pie and vegetables or ham salad followed by apple pie and cream or trifle. We were really spoilt!

The North East Area Reunion was held at the Park Inn Hotel in York on Saturday 5^th September and twelve members of the branch attended. The Area Chairman, Maj Dot Ryder said it was a 'trial run' for us as this branch is to host the event next year. A very enjoyable lunch was had by all.

Two great events in September. Firstly, the branch meeting when we held a Beetle Drive. A new member Sandy Poole visited that day and goodness knows what she thought of all the hilarity! Secondly, we were invited to Tamworth Branch for lunch and skittles. Great fun and apart from the saga of the fleeces we had a terrific time. Especially as one of our branch, Chris Corker, was the skittles champion. Thank you Tamworth - be warned we shall be back! (Maggie Purkis is responsible for the military fists on the front row!)

October saw us off to Solihull for the WRAC Dinner Club weekend. The committee surpassed themselves with finding the St John's Hotel and we are delighted that we shall be returning there in 2010. We also held a Bring and Buy sale at the October meeting and the members were again extremely generous in their 'bringing and buying'.

On Sunday 8^th November, eight members of the branch were in London for the muster at the Cenotaph (we have to excuse Bimbo for marching with the RMP Association). It was a 'first' for a lot of the girls and from the comments most will be back again in 2010. One husband, who watched from the sidelines, thought we were wonderful and marched as though we had just come off drill practice. Well done everyone.

The final event to report on this time around is our Coffee Morning and Sale on Saturday 28^th November during which we raised in excess of £800. Well done to all the members who came along to help the committee make it such a profitable event. Special mention (in no particular order) for Jackie Walton, Bimbo Coleman, Beryl Butcher, Beryl McKewan, Doreen Horne, Maureen West, Barbara Hudson, Joyce Gough, Christine Maxwell (plus son-in-law, Rick and grandson, Branson) and our special friend and supporter, Ann.

This will be posted before our Christmas Party and we look forward to welcoming visitors from the Grimsby Branch at that event. Best Wishes to everyone and, don’t forget, visitors are always welcome.