AGM

The Branch held its Annual General Meeting on Monday 9 March 2026 at the Bluebell Billage Hall. 43 Members were in attendance. At the start of the proceedings the Branch President, Lorna Culver, presented a cheque for £500 to The Nurse's Fund, supporting local children with cancer, the Branch's charity for the year.

The AGM was chaired by the Branch Chairman, Ray Welch, and reports were given by the President, the Chairman, the Branch Treasurer, Mick Venesss, and Carole Orris, the Committee member responsible for organising Branch excursions. These were followed by a lively discussion, which focussed mainly on the suggestions for activities that had been submitted to the Committee by the membership, and the action which these mght engender. The members of the Committee were re-elected.

The meeting was followed by a buffet and then Bingo.

Annual Duck Race

On February 9 the Branch held its annual Duck Race. This year, duck mortality was a little higher than usual; however, it seems unlikely that the RSPCA will be overly concerned. Betting was, as usual, brisk. There were disappointments for some and cause for celebration for others; but overall everyone enjoyed themselves.

The afternoon included a buffet, but there was no raffle at this meeting.

Cream Tea

Our first meeting of 2026 was an opportunity for Members to catch up after the Christmas and New Year break. Certainy, we all had lots to talk about. We also had a short talk on the Branch's charity for 2026: Children's Oncology Support at Medway Hospital, which provides support to the families of young people across Medway and Swale who are suffereing from cancer. This was followwd by a cream tea, which features enormous fruit scones.

New Year Lunch

On 14 January 2026 we enjoyed a New Year Lunch at the Sittingbourne and Milton Regis Golf Club. A variety of foods were available for this three-course meal, including prawn cocktail for the starter, roast beef with Yorkshires and vegetables for the main course, and spotted dick for dessert.