The meeting onMonday, March 16 was opened by our Chairman Bill Major.

Noting the excellent attendance, Bill reminded members of the AGM to be held on Monday, April 27 and of the visit to Madresfield Court on May 13.

Our members have always enjoyed the wide range of topics covered by visiting speakers and when those speakers and their respective organisations are playing a key role in the local community, that interest and appreciation is much enhanced.

Thus we were grateful that Clare Huyton, Executive Director, Housing, Care and Communities at Fortis Living had kindly agreed to speak to us about the role of Fortis

Living. The scale of operations, over 15,000 tenancies with approximately 45,000 residents, primarily in Hereford and Worcestershire but others within an 85 mile radius was a revelation to many. Clare highlighted the critical importance of community involvement, how giving people positive things to do reduces anti-social behaviour, and we were given very clear examples of their increasing community involvement in welfare, extra care schemes, etc. Clarence Park, in Malvern was cited as an example of a new-build development for >55s that had a wide range of facilities.

The message was very clear. The challenge to provide good homes and thus thriving communities was being faced on a daily basis. The range and nature of the questions that followed clearly indicated that everyone present had thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the presentation.

At our next meeting on Monday, March 30 we are very pleased to welcome Richard Long whose talk is entitled, Middle East in 2015: Arab Spring or Islamist Winter?

We meet in the Abbey Hotel. Refreshments are available from 10am and the meeting begins at 10.30am. Guests are very welcome.

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