THE first meeting of 2013 began with a talk on Fire Safety in the Home by fire fighter Becky Vallender who she gave several examples of the causes of some of the fires she had attended.

First of all Becky stressed the importance of smoke alarms – there should be one on each floor of the house and these should be checked every week and on the older models the battery should be replaced annually.

The Fire Service will visit people's home to give advice and fit a smoke alarm and this is a free service.

She also recommended a Carbon Monoxide Alarm.

If bedroom windows are locked make sure everyone knows where the keys are, keep stairs free of obstacles, keep a torch in the bedroom, be careful with candles and tea lights and every night have a check that all electrical plugs are pulled out of the sockets, and all doors are closed.

During the coffee break, Jill, president, said how successful the Christmas Lunch at The Marlbank had been and members enthusiastically agreed with her.

The next meeting is on February 5 and will be a talk about Looking after yourself in retirement by Ruth Joynes and will be at the United Reformed Church Hall (rear entrance) in Malvern Link, doors open 10am, start 10.30am.

New members and visitors are always welcome - for more information phone Jill Thompson on 01684 566540.