AFTER collecting donations for the Alrewas Memorial fund this was then made up to £100 and sent to the Fund.

The choice of menu for the Christmas lunch was given to members, and they were reminded that money needs to be paid next month. Members were informed that there was going to be a Christmas shopping trip from Clarence Park Village to Cribbs Causeway if anyone would be interested in going. Members now have a new TG tablecloth and Carol has already embroidered the TG logo on it. Members will now write their signatures on it, in pencil, together with the year that they joined the Guild, and then Carol will embroider all the signatures and the dates. Correspondence was received from HQ and was read out to members.

Music group now has three bookings - Hastings, St Mary's Ladies Group, and the WI Sales Table - members were asked to support it, and also were asked to bring items in for raffle prizes. Outings - everyone had thoroughly enjoyed the outing to the Ludlow Food Festival. The visit to Worcester Royal Infirmary museum has been changed to October 6 at 10.30am. Members were asked if they would like to go to the theatre on Friday, December 18, to see Beyond the Barricades.

The speaker this month was Ruth Pole on Mercy Ships. This is an international Christian charity that has been established for over 35 years which offers free surgery and medical care for the world's poorest populations. The current ship is the Africa Mercy and another ship, the Atlantic Mercy is also being built. The ship works in different countries in Africa, and there is an advance team who liaise with the different Governments to find out what is needed. The ship has a crew of 450, all volunteers from many different countries. The Captain has to be paid, a salary of £10 annually! The ship volunteers also work with day volunteers from the local people. Thousands of people attend the screening days and there are tents on the quayside to assess the needs of individuals before they are given treatment. Eye surgeries are much needed, also cleft lip and palette, orthopaedic surgery, and dental treatment. Mrs Pole showed slides of the ship and also many of the people seeking treatment. There were children who were blind because they had cataracts on their eyes and when the cataracts were removed they could see, which was of course life-changing for them. In fact most of the treatments were life-changing and would not have been possible without Mercy Ships. This was a very moving presentation about something that was new to most members.

The speaker next month will be Elfed Jones with his talk Media Rollercoaster. The Guild meets on the third Thursday of the month at 10.15am at Clarence Park Village hall. Visitors are always welcome.

EDNA O'CONNOR