2019

2019 was an eventful year for the Association. After another excellent re-union held in the S/R’s mess at HHS Nelson the MWA gathered again in June for the 2019 Veterans parade in Weymouth. It was with thanks to Jan Harvey who had stepped into the breaches at short notice to cover Topsy Turner who was unfit to travel, under the guidance of Sam Cook they both lead the parade from the front in true MW style. Our Standard and now resident bearer also had a further commitment later in the year, its first at a funeral on the passing awaysuddenly of a long term member ex CPO Tony (Fred) Bassett. During the year we were also informed by our long term charity the Vernon Project that the target for the monument had been reached and we could expect it to be in position in 2020. Unfortunately later in 2019 due to illness our long serving chairman Dixie Dean stepped down so that he could focus on forthcoming treatment. This saw the Vice Chairman Taff Reader standing up to become chairman. Dixie had been at the helm for several years, whilst also running the Sweepstorewhich Pete Whitehead kindly offered to step in and take over. While still very much active in the background his presence and guidance will be sorely missed by everyone and our best wishes are with him for a swift recovery. 2019 finally finished in grand style with several members from down south joining up with Northern Oppo’s for a social gathering while down south the Southern groups their monthly DIT Session culminating in the annual Christmas dinner.