SUE, the president, welcomed all those present, which was followed by the singing of Jerusalem.

Peggy reported that during the WI exhibition in Upton Library, 14 responses were received and most wanted evening meetings.

The speaker for this meeting was Deborah Summerfield, who talked about the Red Cross organisation in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire.

The British Red Cross is part of the international global movement helping people to prepare for and recover from disasters.

The Red Cross was set up in 1859 following the Battle of Solferino where there had been 40,000 casualties. A Swiss businessman, Henry Dunant, set up a makeshift hospital nearby, as it was obvious that medical help was not coping with the situation.

In 1862, Henry published a book about the battle and in 1864, he and four others set up the Geneva Convention to help the injured and those affected by war.

There are 187 National Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies and 100 million members worldwide.