NORWICH & NORFOLK
SOUTHEND-ON-SEA
SUFFOLK
January evening meeting: A debate
on Our branch continues to meet
monthly for a lunch at The Park Farm
Hotel Hethersett Norfolk. The lunch is
usually followed by a speaker covering a
wide variety of subjects.
Our AGM was held in July when
all officers had served their term of six
years. We thank them all. The following
were voted into post:
Chairman - Mrs Mary Wuest
Secretary - Mrs Jane Laue-Knudsen
Treasurer - Mrs Irene Robertson
Committee - Miss Ruth Brown
Our September meeting was followed
by an excellent talk given by Miss Clare
Goddard on the Narthex an addition
to the Catholic Cathedral of St John,
providing a meeting place shop and
café. We are anticipating a tour of the
Cathedral and the Narthex at a date to
be arranged.
Our Programme 2013 -2014 includes
a wide variety of topics. The Norwich
and Norfolk Branch Public Speaking
Competition continues with ten schools
participating. The new committee are
working hard to develop the programme
for 2014-2015 as well as activities
to encourage new members of all
age groups.
Our Branch Annual Garden Party
was once again a delightful occasion. We
were blessed with a warm and beautifully
sunny summer day. Members and
friends sat at shady tables and enjoyed
a scrumptious tea on the lawn of the
magnificent ancient house known as
Porters, the official residence of the
Mayor of Southend-on-Sea.
In late afternoon everyone assembled
in the hall to hear Samuel Armstrong,
a Secondary School International
Exchange student from Southend
High School for boys, give an animated
account of his time in America.
The day ended with a recital from
Amy Hughes, the 2010 winner of our
Florence Warren Trust Music Award,
performing with her talented sisters
Chloe and Rachel.
Proceeds from the raffle went to the
Mayor’s Charities.
The programme of events again were
most educational, interesting and most
important of all entertaining.
The highlight of the period was a
visit by Dame Mary Richardson, who
we were delighted to have as our Guest
of Honour joining us for luncheon
following the AGM, which was held at
Nowton Court, Bury St Edmunds.
It was again obvious that the
Committee were performing their
responsibilities and duties so well that no
person was persuaded to add their name
for nomination.
The members who are always well
booted and spurred, enjoyed a most
entertaining talk from the Speaker Mr
David Coe, a Director of the well-known
Ladies and Gentlemans Outfitters at the
“I believe in Ipswich” Afternoon Tea.
A planned trip to the BBC Studios in
Norwich was cancelled owing to a break
in transmission, or in other words a lack
of interest.
This period ended on a rather
sad note, with the passing of our Vice
President, Air Marshal Sir Reginald
Harland KBE, CB, AE.
The Suffolk members are again
indebted to the Chairman Mrs Joy Childs
and the Committee for the effort and
time they spend on their behalf.
Southend-on-sea
The day ended with a recital from Amy Hughes, the
2010 winner of our Florence Warren Trust Music Award
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