MEMBERS DAY


CRAFTBUTCHER l JULY/AUGUST 2017 13


Daughter in Law Carol with a commemorative salver recognising her contribution as well. In an emotional response,


Mary Debman said that it was with a ‘heavy heart’ that the Ladies Section was closing. Dorothy Marshall, she said, had laid down strong foundations initially in helping the Federation and later in raising monies for the Children’s Cancer Centre at ‘Bart’s’. Mrs Debman said she


John Mettrick with Mary Debman


young people to take up apprenticeships in the meat trade. And went on to say how pleased he was that Jamie Baker is joining the Executive Council, hoping his knowledge and experience of social media and websites will help the Federation with its offer to members. In summing up John


Mettrick urged members to use the Federation’s services for the benefit of their business. He went on to say he was hopeful that some members will ‘put a bit back’ by putting themselves forward to serve on the Executive Council.


END OF AN ERA In commemorating the closure of the Ladies Section, President Mettrick paid tribute to the work of Dorothy Marshall who had proposed the notice of motion establishing the Ladies Section at the National Conference in Cheltenham in 1976. As well as the Section’s efforts for forty years of fund raising, initially for a Federation Headquarters, furniture, and equipment. And since for the Children’s Cancer Centre at St Bartholomew (Bart’s) Hospital in West Smithfield, London. Mr Mettrick said the


Ladies Section, with Dorothy as Secretary and latterly


stepped in as President in 2000 at a time when Dorothy felt unable to continue, helping to raise almost £50,000 of which Colchester & District MTA had contributed more than £20,000 and winning the Challenge Shield many times over. Mary added, that she was


saddened to have heard about the death of Past President Cis Blackwell three months previously, but at the same time she was delighted to have received a hand-written note with good wishes from 101- year old Edna Welton, brought


David McGrath


especially to the meeting by her daughter in law and her son John Welton. In addition to funding


equipment for the Children’s Centre at Bart’s, Mrs Debman said that money raised had also provided for the fitting out of a play room, many toys and specially adapted bicycles, enabling young amputees to navigate the wards and exercise while in hospital. Te final act of the Ladies


Section she said, will be to give its residual funds of £4,000 to the Children’s Cancer Centre at ‘Bart’s’, while also mentioning that donations were still being accepted! Full report to be continued


in the next issue. n


Jamie Baker


President, had several Presidents over the years including Barbara Howell (1993-99), present at the event with husband Trevor, and Mary Debman who took over in 2000 with Daughter in Law Carol as Secretary and Claire Whittaker as Treasurer, when Dorothy was unable to carry on.


MARY DEBMAN At the invitation of the President and a standing ovation, Mary Debman received a commemorative salver and plaque recognising her achievement as President and the achievements of the Ladies Section. Mr Mettrick also presented


John Mettrick and SFMTA President Paul Boyle


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