A PACKED hall greeted a former Cheshire county councillor when he returned to Chester as a government minister.
Halton MP Derek Twigg is now minister for veterans at the Ministry of Defence.
The venue was the Royal British Legion Club on Heath Road in Upton where Mr Twigg, also parliamentary under secretary of state for defence, met with former members of the armed services and their families at a tea party arranged by Chester MP Mrs Christine Russell.
More than 80 former servicemen, women and their families met the minister including Jim Hallows and his wife Anne from Blacon, who have been involved in the annual poppy appeal in Chester for 60 years.
Mrs Russell pointed out the visit came in the wake of a series of important announcements by the government to improve the quality of life for veterans.
Priority NHS treatment provided for veterans whose injury or illness is suspected of being due to their service in the armed forces is to be expanded.
The government has also announced it is to formally recognise the efforts of land girls during the Second World War.
Surviving members of the Women's Land Army and the Women's Timber Corps can apply for a specially designed badge acknowledging their contribution to the war effort. Details can be obtained by ringing Mrs Russell's office on 01244 400174.
If you have a nostalgic story to tell of your time as a land girl, contact the Chronicle on 01244 606416.
