NHS Retirement Fellowship Gwent Branch Newsletter - Christmas Edition - 2017 Reg Charity No 287936 Patron: Ken Jerrold CBE Welcome to our Christmas Lunch A warm welcome to everyone, members and guests, to what promises to be a very enjoyable Christmas lunch. We are again delighted to welcome Ann Hyde who provides so much help and support to the Fellowship throughout the year. Eastwood Hall Hotel 24 th Conference and AGM Weekend 26 th November 2017 Twelve members of this branch joined 246 others from all around Britain for this year s Conference. Eastwood Hall, a large and spreading modern hotel is set in attractive grounds between Derby and Nottingham. Our rooms were comfortable, but some were a day s march away from the centre of things! Restored by a night s sleep and a good breakfast, we attended the AGM. Sadly, Audrey Harris, the outgoing Chair was unable to attend, owing to her husband s illness, so it fell to Cynthia Matthews to hand the insignia of office to our new Chair, Margaret Moffatt. The keynote address was given by Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive, NHS Employers. He outlined the challenges facing staffing levels in light of Brexit and changes in working practice and population demographic. His stimulating talk focused on care of new recruits, flexibility and career development as ways to recruit and retain staff.
After lunch a Question Time style debate provoked lively discussion of many of the burning issues of the day. Presentations by sponsors Fred Olsen and NHSRF Worldwide Travel Insurance concluded the business of the day. The gala dinner in the evening was much enjoyed and we all shook a leg as the night wore on. On Sunday, most of us took a bus trip to Nottingham, where we visited the Christmas market, saw Robin Hood and had lunch in a pub which dates from the 11 th Century. That evening after dinner we were excited to receive a visit from you know who Annual Christmas Quiz at Merthyr Group A smaller group than usual (8) of us accepted the invitation to once again take part in the Christmas Quiz between Merthyr, Rhondda and Gwent branches. A buffet lunch was enjoyed followed by the quiz. This year the theme of the quiz was Christmas. A lot of jokes and laughter was heard from the teams throughout the afternoon. Sadly we failed to win this year but everyone had a good time. At the end of the afternoon Rhondda and Merthyr accepted our invitation to a return darts match in the spring. Report by Delyn Hunt Anniversary Celebrations 2018 We would be very interested to hear from any members, or past members who worked in the NHS in 1948, but also from any members that were working during those first few years. We would love to hear any stories and maybe see any photographs from those early days. These may then be used in displays at various celebrations that we hope to arrange. We are hoping to have a celebratory event in June/July of next year and to share this with the other branches of the fellowship in the South Wales area. We will keep everyone updated as these arrangements are made. We hope we can count on everyone's support next summer. We want this to be a success and would welcome any ideas for the format the celebration should take to be made to any of the committee by the January meeting so they can be included in discussions that will be held towards the end of January with the powers that be.
TWO PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITIONS PORTRAIT THE NHSRF 1978 2018 Entry is open to all. The closing date is 9 th March 2018. The PORTRAIT photograph could be of an individual or of more than one subject. First prize 100, two runner-up prizes of 50 The NHSRF 1978 2018 entry may be from the past or can be current and should show some aspect of the NHSRF and that could be used in our 40 th anniversary celebrations. Prize of 40 and the photographer acknowledged for its use during the Fellowship s 40 th anniversary. Information and entry forms on www.nhsrf.org.uk. Trip Notices Both prices, full and discounted for the forthcoming theatre events are given. Advanced notices for 2018:- 5th April 2018 - Wales Millennium Centre - Matthew Bourne s ballet 'Cinderella'. Cost full price 35 (Discounted 33). Final payment at January meeting. 5 seats still available 3rd May 2018 - New Theatre - a comedy The Play that goes Wrong Matinee Show. Cost - full price 26. Discounted - 21 20 seats available. Own transport. Payment at February 2018 meeting. 15th November 2018 - Wales Millennium Centre - Wicked Cost - full price 52. Discounted - 51. 25 seats available. Social lunches will recommence in the New Year, on or near to the last Wednesday of the month. Our trip to Blenheim Palace will now take place in May 2018 so that it does not clash with NHS 70 years and /Fellowship 40 years anniversaries in June/July. Details to follow. Next months meeting Our next meeting will take place at 2pm on Monday 15th January 2018. Our guest speaker will be Angela Mutlow, Chief Executive of Aneurin Bevan Community Health Council. Aneurin Bevan Community Health Council in one of 7 CHC s in Wales and has been set up to represent the interests of patients and the public in the NHS. If anyone would like to receive an electronic copy of our branch newsletter them please let Lynda Evans have your email address and she will be happy to send you a copy via email
Your Committee Cynthia Matthews Sound System Delyn Hunt Chair Carole Cunnell Welfare Officer Caroline Pitt Vice Chair Lynda Evans Press Officer Vacant Secretary Marylin Beardmore Raffle Organiser Val Cheeseman Speaker Secretary Joanne Butler Prizes Pam Jones Treasurer Barbara Davies Dr Martin Sage Vote of thanks Co-ordinator Caroline Pitt Membership Secretary Jen Martin Payment Officer Caroline Pitt Trips and outings Delyn Hunt & John King Admissions Pam Jones Greeters Val Cheeseman Contact Information Chair Carole Cunnell 01495 774526 carole@cunnell.com Vice Chair Lynda Evans 01633 420668 lyndaevs@hotmail.co.uk Secretary Marilyn Beardmore 01633 661954 mabeardmore@yahoo.co.uk Welfare Officer Caroline Pitt 01633 660608 Trip Organiser Delyn Hunt 01633 843140 delyn46@yahoo.co.uk NHS Retirement Fellowship Benevolent Fund Sherry Smith, Admin Officer, Central Office. Tel 01305 361317, www.nhsrf.org.uk
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