PRESIDENT, Doreen Dyson, opened the February meeting with a welcome, and Jerusalem was sung.

She announced that the skittles team are doing well. They have played four matches and won them all. Also members had enjoyed dinner at the Crown, Powick recently. Members were urged to check the notice board for the many and varied activities coming up, with particular reference to the lunch with Michael Portillo, for which we need to make our lunch selection. Once again Worcestershire Federation have been asked to organise and man the refreshment marquee at the Three Counties show in June. They are looking for volunteers for each of the days. There are two shifts each day, and volunteers will have free entry into the show with time to enjoy it.

The speaker for the evening was then introduced. Christopher Russell is Senior Lecturer in Dementia Studies at Worcester University and he spoke on the Dementia Friends’ Initiative. The numbers of people diagnosed with dementia are growing, and this is world wide. Right now there are 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, and this is estimated to grow to 1,150,000 by 2025, and by 2051 to over two million, equal to the populations of Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham. Many people living with dementia are under 65 years of age. Dementia Friends’ Initiative seeks to form a network of people throughout the country who can help those living with dementia to feel included in their communities, and to live well. There are about 800,000 friends now and it is hoped to make this figure one million by the end of the year. There were many opportunities for discussion and comment during the talk. Christopher was thanked by the President.

The speaker at the March meeting is Cora Weaver on Spouts and Fountains of the Malvern Hills. New members and visitors are most welcome. The contact number is 01905 830231.