MEMBERS were warmly welcomed to the meeting on Monday, February 2, at the Abbey Hotel, Malvern, by our Vice-Chairman Mike Taylor.

Business matters were speedily dealt with, including confirmation of the Christmas lunch on December. 9.

Condolences were then expressed to Roger Daniel who was to have been our speaker but unfortunately had had a fall. Mike Taylor then welcomed Vince Williams who, at very short notice, had come to our rescue to speak on Mountain Rescue in the UK. Vince is a Search Manager and member of the Western Beacons Mountain Search and Rescue Team in South Wales. He began by posing two questions: what do you think about MR and who is actually responsible for safety? He took us briefly through the history of rescue, explaining the often complex relationships between the many organisations involved including the Search and Rescue Dogs Association.

The talk was well illustrated giving us all a very clear appreciation of the specialist equipment required and the training needed to use that equipment.

Brian Judson thanked Vince for a much enjoyed talk that had highlighted the critical role of voluntary organisations who were prepared to put their own lives at risk to help others and to whom we owe a great debt of thanks.

Our speaker on Monday, February 16 will be Mark Watson on the theme of Order, Disorder and Re-order: Faith and Politics in Christian Art and Architecture. We meet in the Abbey Hotel, with refreshments available from 10am and the meeting beginning at 10.30am.

Our programme for the first half of 2015 is available in Malvern Library, in the small cabinet on the right hand side as you enter the main library. For further information please e-mail t.batesworc@btinternet.com

TONY BATES