ORPINGTON Branch had a very interesting year in 2001. Enjoying good attendance's at all the monthly meetings and some very good speakers. Outings were also very well attended and very successful and enjoyable for those members who took part. New Chairman, Alan Baker, took over from Sid Towner in April and has settles in well to his new responsibilities.

On November 2, the Annual Branch Dinner was held at the usual meeting place, Petts Wood Memorial Hall, over 70 members and friends who all enjoyed themselves and agreed it was a great success. Guests on the evening were Orpington MP Mr John Horam and Mrs Horam, Chaplain Mr Alan Mustoe and Mrs Mustoe and the Chairman of the Council Mr john Bargh.

Around 90 members enjoyed the usual Christmas festivities and the ladies, as in previous years, provided an excellent selection of food which was greatly enjoyed and appreciated by all those present. A very interesting musical quiz and entertainment by Yester Year, a group who were ex-tremely versatile and provided a variety of humorous and serious items, all of which were greatly appreciated by members. The evening concluded by singing a selection of Christmas Carols.

On January 8, the first meeting of 2002 when guest speaker Mr Peter Jones gave a very interesting talk on Fingerprints, when he traced the history of this form of detection, from its earliest days and explained how this has progressed through the years, up to its present position.

A very interesting programme of speakers is arranged for the coming year and anyone interested will be very welcome to join the meetings.