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Following the loss of our Chairman, Jennie
Stimpson, who moved to West Sussex last year, we entered our last two months
of 2007 with Betty Mitchell at the helm. November is a bit hectic with
Remembrance Services and the Festival of Remembrance and Concert by the
Royal Marines Band, always a popular event. Of course, December is busy for
most folks so we are rather glad to have a brief rest in January, when we
have no meeting except for a committee get-together to discuss the coming
year’s programme We were shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Grace
Cox, ATS, in March – we knew she wasn’t well because several of us went to
visit her, but had no idea that she was so ill. She always had a lovely
smile and enjoyed a good chat with us and was sorry when we had to say
goodbye and leave her even though she was in very good care.
The main event to plan for was at the
beginning of April, the AGM in London with the bonus of the splendid ATS
70th Anniversary Celebration in London. Five members went by train from
Plymouth and we were joined by Jennie, from her new home in Sussex and Gill,
our ex-Standard Bearer who is now in Doncaster. What a terrific time we had
that weekend. Our thanks to the ladies of HQ who organised it all and to
Rosie of the “Not Forgotten” Association who brought in the fantastic
afternoon entertainment.
In May we had our, now regular, reunion in
Truro so that we can meet our Cornwall members. The Royal British Legion
Club provided us with a very good roast lunch and 19 of us from all points
in Cornwall and around Plymouth had a good yarn together. Also Joan from
Bodmin and Margaret from Redruth came for their first lunch with us. Our
thanks to Enith of Truro for organising everything for us at the RBL and to
the staff for a superb day. Our next Truro reunion is booked for Tuesday 19
May 2009.
The Army Benevolent Fund Flag Day in
mid-June is supported by five or six of our ladies, who year after year
volunteer to go to various stores in Plymouth, Plympton and Plymstock with
their collecting tins at the ready. The last week of June is Veterans’ week
and Commander Crichton, the City’s Events organiser, has encouraged us to
repeat our ATS Table from last year to promote the 70th
Anniversary of the ATS and our own 30th Anniversary of the
formation of Plymouth Branch. Our ladies will work from a rota in the
Guildhall on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th, then on
Sunday 29th there will be many events of celebration, plus the
RAFA Service of Remembrance and Wreath Laying at the RAF Monument on the
Hoe.
We have a cruise with a cream tea on the
River Exe planned for 9 September to celebrate our 1938 and 1978
Anniversaries.
Our Christmas Lunch will again be at St
Aubyn’s Masonic Hall, Stoke on 12 December, we are expecting around twenty
five ladies to be there.
We have our meetings in the Royal Fleet Club
– 1.30-4 p.m. on the first Monday of the month, except when there is a Bank
Holiday – the meeting then is moved to the second Monday. There is no
meeting in January. Please feel free to join us anytime. Contact Ruth
Jennings, Secretary – 01752 363118.
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