WRAC Association Wales & The West Area

Chairman: Mrs Maggie Purkis

Secretary: Miss Irene Hall

Birmingham Branch

Chairman: Mrs Chris Fretwell

Secretary: Mrs Babs Blay

I have just been looking at Lioness 2/2009 and I wrote," We are enjoying our meetings at our new venue, The Newt". Not any more we're not! We are now enjoying our meetings at the Britannia Hotel, New Street, Birmingham. We were given short notice that The Newt was closing because of the commencement of work on the transformation of New Street Station.

Lesley Wallace and I, Margaret Walkeden, trawled around the city centre before our February meeting – on the actual day! – visiting five pubs and three hotels trying to find a home. No – we did not have to have a drink at each and every one of them! At the end of the meeting, the rest of the Committee came with us to the Britannia who agreed we could meet there free of charge as long as a certain number of members ate lunch there each month. This has gone well and we were delighted to hold our Birthday Lunch there in May in the company of Lt Col Sue Westlake, Maggie Purkis, Area Chairman and Irene Hall, Area Secretary.

So far this year, we have not been on any outings but have close contact now with Leicester and Tamworth Branches and it was good to see them, and ladies from Wolverhampton, at our Birthday lunch. We have just enjoyed a Quiz and Lunch with Leicester – especially as our table won and we each received a bottle of wine. We look forward to "skittling" with Tamworth in August.

On 26 June, Armed Forces Day, we shall be manning a stand again. It will be our fourth year and we hope it stays dry this time. We are planning to visit Bletchley Park when we can arrange transport. Elsewhere in this edition is a report from Betty Webb, a member of this branch, about her time there and the day she was presented with her Bletchley Park Commemorative Badge.

This year, three members of the branch celebrate their 90th Birthday and will receive the special cards we have had printed. Another visit will be made to Swanshurst School on 5 July when the pupils will be holding their Veterans Day. They seem to really enjoy the opportunity to talk to ex-service men and ladies.

Maureen Deeley and Kath Adams have again raised considerable amounts of money for Troop Aid – this money goes directly to Selly Oak Hospital. Sadly, there is no let up in the need for these funds and we are very proud of Maureen and Kath and their tireless work for the charity.

We still meet on the first Wednesday of each month, except January, and, if you are in the area, you would be most welcome to join us. Lunch is at midday and the official meeting starts at 12.30 p.m. The Britannia Hotel is next to Primark in New Street and we are usually in the Lichfield Suite. Doesn't it sound grand?

Get well soon, all of you on the sick list