WRAC Association South & South West Area

Chairman:  Major (Retired) Mack Maskens-McIntyre

Secretary:  Mrs J Ford

Bristol Branch

Chairman: Mrs Stella Fogg

Secretary: Mrs Jackie Naysmith MBE

Hello to everyone and a big Thank You to all those who sent me cards when they saw that I had received the MBE. I was able to wear it with pride in the Veterans Parade at Weymouth.

On Armed Forces Day we attended the Flag Raising in South Gloucestershire and we also paraded and had a stall at Staple Hill. One of our members was left in charge of the stall whilst we paraded, unfortunately when we got back there was no gazebo – like Mary Poppins, it had taken off and was in the trees. Our member Pauline Scattergood protected the stand with a tarpaulin that I had brought. Not a good day weatherwise but we did have some interest in our stand but unfortunately whilst we were talking to people one of our ladies bag was stolen. We are pleased to report that it was found some days later in a garden and whilst some items were missing, like her purse and bus pass, everything else was found.

On the Sunday we were invited to attend a service at Weston super Mare. It was one of the best we had attended and it was filmed and sent to Helman province that night. We also attended a lunch at the Commodore Hotel in Kewstoke, Weston super Mare. The weather was kind to us and we had a superb day.

In September we held a Harvest Festival which was the suggestion of one of our members and it went very well. In October we had our AGM, again very well attended and all the Committee were re-elected. On Friday four of us travelled to Solihull for Dinner Club weekend. We went to a car wash on the way; unfortunately I did not notice that my window was open very slightly until this spray of water came in and soaked me. It was fortunate that my case was the last one in the boot, so it was easy to get dry clothing. It was funny at the time and set the mood for the weekend. Lots of laughs and meeting with friends.

We also attended an Area meeting at Wilton. Maj Mack brought us up to date with news from our Association. Individual reports from Branches are always interesting and again a chance for some retail therapy at the shopping outlet. In November we attended a Festival of Remembrance where 2 of our members represented us. On the Monday it was the opening of the Garden of Remembrance, followed by Remembrance Parade on the Sunday in which 5 of us paraded.

We are now in December; our meeting was a Bring and Buy, with Christmas nibbles and lots of talking. I like to see the ladies talking with each other – it makes the meetings very friendly. We are all looking forward to Christmas and hope the weather will be kind to us.

I would like on behalf of all our members welcome you to Bristol in March for our Grand Reunion. Meanwhile we hope you had a good Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Bristol ladies proving that "Life begins Off-Peak"