Des Mason with Elizabeth Roberts at

our Millennium celebration

Edna Wightman our present Chairman

for the past fourteen years

To provide a financial base for

the new branch, the Bexley

Health District donated a sum of

two hundred pounds from their

free monies fund. The cheque

being presented to the branch

committee at a meeting held on

28th February 1989 in the staff

social club by Mr Stephen Ingle

Assistant District Personnel

Officer Sidney Dunmall receiving cheque from

Stephen Ingle.

This year in October we celebrate our twentieth birthday and the editorial team

felt we needed to produce an addition to the Newsletter to show what The Bexley

& District Branch have achieved in that time.

An inaugural meeting was held in the Friends Retreat at Bexley Hospital in August

1988 when Mrs Elizabeth Roberts our representative of the South East Thames

Region, gave an inspirational speech to encourage the formation of the Bexley

branch. The meeting, which consisted of about 25 retired NHS staff members

decided to accept the challenge and a steering committee was set up under the

chairmanship of the late Des Mason.

At the next meeting in October the late Sidney Dunmall ( Hospital Administrator at

Bexley hospital ) was elected Chairman, the post which he held for six years, before

handing over to our present Chairman Edna Wightman. Subsequent meetings were

held in the staff social club, and this venue has continued until the present day.

1988

2008

BEXLEY AND DISTRICT NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE RETIREMENT FELLOWSHIP

The social committee team commencing with Des Mason and followed by Terry

Fountain, Edna Wightman, Jo Dunmall Peggy Cole, and more recently Margaret

Scott and Paula Inness have arranged our speakers, outings, Christmas lunches and

also our Millennium party which now continues as our annual New Year party. These

events have been overseen by our present Chairman Edna Wightman which has

given our members much pleasure, enjoyment and fellowship.

In June 2005 thirty three members went on the first branch holiday to the St

Brannocks hotel at Newquay. This was arranged by Edna Wightman, who has since

arranged holidays to Southport, Shanklin (Isle of Wight), and this year to

Llandrindod Wells.

Newquay 2005 Southport 2006

The outings have always been a major feature of our branch with normally up to six

a year. These have taken us to many places of interest around the South East of

England, and also once a year over to France. We have also had special outings to

Thursford and Turner’s Christmas shows.

Branch Holidays

Outings

First outing to Lambeth Palace 1991 Outing to St Omer in France 2004

Social Activities

Rambles

The rambling group has always been a well supported activity with an average of 15

to 25 people on each walk. The programme of monthly spring/summer/autumn walks

including a post Christmas walk, has taken place covering a wide area of the Kent

countryside.

Ramble at Trosley country park in 2000 End of Tom’s walk lunch in the garden

Town Walks

In 2003 Eileen Russell now in New

Zealand organised our first “Town Walk”

These walks were initially for those

members who were unable to manage

the longer rambles, and are popular with

members. The walks are now arranged

by Pat Chandler and Mollie Matthews

One of the first town walks in 2003

There are a number of areas where we do not have photographs e.g. branch

meetings, speakers, AGM, and summer social in August. In the early days we also

had monthly tea dances.

Our welfare officer Marjorie Maxey keeps in touch with members who are not well

by sending cards, besides speaking on the telephone and occasional visits.

The executive committee in their various roles work together in bringing to the

members a varied and interesting programme throughout the year.

We also have helpers with tea making, raffles, and others who give a hand as

necessary. The generosity of members in giving time, supporting the raffle and

giving prizes has all contributed in making the branch what it is.

X-MAS TURNER’S 2001 MONTACUTE HOUSE APRIL 1996

CONFERENCE 2000 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AT WORK MEETING PLACE CLUBHOUSE BEXLEY

OUTING TO BLUEBELL RAILWAY 2007

10th ANNIVERSARY CAKE

ONE OF TOM’S HOLIDAYS IN THE 90’S

PETER SELBY

X-MAS LUNCH AT QUEEN MARY’S HOSP 1998

RAMBLERS BADGE

NEW YEAR PARTY DANCE

EILEEN RUSSELL FAREWELL

BRANCH HOLIDAY LLANDRINDOD WELLS 2008

NEW YEAR PARTY DANCE 10th ANNIVERSARY

I trust you

have enjoyed

this special

edition

Editor.