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Warmest greetings from the
members of Ulster Branch. We are in
the middle of sorting out the
Branch Christmas lunch which we are having on Saturday 12 December in
Beechlawn Hotel and our annual trip to the pantomine
Aladdin in Belfast Grand
Opera House on Thursday 17th
December. The pantomine should be quite a riot as they tell me everyone who
attends is given 3D specs in order to see everything the genie gets up to.
From memory, the last time I was given 3D glasses was in a cinema in Belfast
when I came up from the country to see the movie South Pacific a very, very
long time ago. I have had a sneak preview and the magical genie certainly
seems quite a character. We intend to arrive armed with our favourite chocs
and a little Bailey's Irish cream for the interval and I have no doubt that
we will all have a great time. My family have told me that pantomine is for
kids, but let’s face it - you are as young as you feel and the Ulster Branch
are without a doubt just about as 'young in heart' a group as you could
find.
We held our AGM in September
and everything continues as usual. The officers
were voted back into office
but we now have a new Chairman, Mary Wilson. Mary is a keen attender of our
meetings and functions and is very interested in our branch. Indeed, when I
have the odd wee problem I ring either Mary or Alison Warnock who have both
been secretaries in the past and they always give me sound
advice. Prior to the meeting
which was held in the British Legion Building in Lisburn, we had a superb
lunch in Pizzarelly's restaurant. This is a small restaurant
but it is just around the
corner from the Legion Building and is therefore very handy
for those of us who arrive by
public transport. We had our usual 'bring and buy'
sale prior to the meeting to
help boost funds. The sale is always run by two of our committee members,
Florence Logan and Marie Jenkins, who have the knack of selling you just
about anything that's put in front of them and are without a doubt the right
people to have in charge of our sale.
We laid our wreath at the
Cenotaph in Belfast on Remembrance Day. I was accompanied this year by Mary
Wilson and Sylvia Connachan. Following the
ceremony we had a very
welcome cup of tea etc in Belfast City Hall where we met
Sylvia's sister who was there
in her capacity as President of the Women's British Legion in Ireland. The
City Hall has been refurbished and it is a fitting background to the
poignant ceremony of remembrance. There is something very, very wonderful
and special about
those who paid the ultimate price. We feel it is an absolute privilege to
meet at this time every year to honour their great sacrifice.
I was reading through the
various branch activities in the
Lioness
and one branch in
particular had a very successful car boot sale. We are always trying to
think of things which will contribute to funds and most of us, particularly
those of us who like to hoard things, have loads of bits and pieces around
the house, so what would be better
than to put them to good use
i.e. at a car boot sale. I just can't wait to put this idea to
our members when I next see
them and I am sure they will be very keen on the idea.
We do hope
everyone has a Happy New Year
but we must take time to
spare a thought for those who
are no longer with us or who are unable to be with us
due to illness or frailty. |
