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We don’t have a meeting in December, as in
the middle of the month we usually go with members of the Dunkirk Veterans’
Association and those still around from the North East Prisoner of War
Association to the very delightful, well known, restaurant in Newcastle, The
Old Assembly Rooms. This was held on 13 December last and was again a
renowned success. Thirteen of our members attended. The photograph was
taken by the son of one of our members.
We got going again in January 2008 but we
were down to fifteen present and eleven apologies! Most of these were due
to illness, hospital appointments etc, but we were back up to twenty one in
February.
We had hoped to have a trip to Eden Camp in
March/April time but we were told that business there had been suspended.
We then made plans to make a return visit to Boulmer to the Fishing Boat Inn
– FBI -. This to be in June.
Then came the news of the ATS 70th
Anniversary Celebration and due to distance, expense etc we could only
promise to have two from here and we’d be joined by Mrs Irene Crouch who
lives in Peterborough but stays as a member here. In the event, only I and
Irene Crouch went to the ATS 70th Anniversary Celebration as our
other member Grace Fatherley was ill – she lost her train fare – and as she
had been very enthusiastic to go, she was very disappointed.
My now registered blind friend very bravely
came all the way from Inverness and back by sleeper! I was able to see to
her at the party and in the Victory Services Club and her son who lives in
London was there for her at other times. She thoroughly enjoyed it! Her
name is Helen Wilson and she is a life member. We were in the same regiment
– 155 London area. I was in 525 Bty, she in 537 Bty. When my Battery was
sent to Antwerp, Helen joined us and we have kept in touch. I used to
organise reunions for a few of our “G L” and some husbands! – useful for
taking charge of the “Kitty” etc! Helen’s name in service was McHardie.
Anyone recognising the name can contact me (mine was then Dee).
The party was quite something! For
organising, presentation, venue and entertainment – everything I give –
100%! Well worth the journey etc. To those responsible for all this, which
must have been a mammoth task! Many thanks indeed. . I also attended the
Secretary’s meeting and the AGM next day. Both were well attended. The
main issue from the latter was the concentration on the 2009 Big One at
Blackpool – the main concern here will be how to somehow find the funds to
cover this and the ongoing ages of any ATS interested!
As the Veterans Day will be here and gone by
the time this is published, I can now say that we decided to bring Our Vets
Day forward and we did in fact go to the FBI in an earlier date in June. If
possible we’ll do something on the 27th
Regretfully there are 3 deaths for the
obituary page. These are Agnes Steel, née Gilmour ATS, on 11 February 2008
at Ponteland, Newcastle. Agnes has not attended meetings for some
considerable time due to illness but we heard of her from one of our members
now and then.
Hilda Mason, née Howes ATS, on 6 January
2008 at North Shields. Hilda was a good member and always enjoyed coming to
our meetings. Game for a laugh, a sing song, or a game of Bingo anytime!
Nora Clara Mills, née Clark ATS, on 3 May
2008 at Blyth, Northumberland. Nora joined us when she came to live in our
region and soon made friends in the Branch. She also took part in all
social happenings. She was elected to take over the Chair from Mabel in
2003. This unfortunately did not happen as shortly afterwards she was taken
ill and from then on was hospitalised and thereafter well cared for by
family and for a long time in a nice care home in Cramlington.
Sending best wishes to all Branches and hope
for some reasonable weather for the autumn at least, and the rest of the
year! |
