FLORENCE Nightingale and her lifetime's work of nursing wounded soldiers during the Crimean War, 1854, using her determination and grit with 28 other loyal nurses, hard work, soap and water, was part of our speaker's subject of 'Nursing Now and Then'.

Diana Carvalho began her nursing career at the age of 18 years, moving around the wards every three months learning all the skills needed, writing essays and assignments, but most importantly hands on work with patients in wards.

She said today's healthcare assistants need more training; student nurses need to work more on the wards and less on theory and exams.

Matrons are called 'Directors', a strange name for someone who for years ran her wards with military precision, knowing everyone's name.

During WW1, a young dedicated nurse, Edith Louisa Cowell, returned to Brussels to nurse wounded allied troops; also nursing the enemy.

Being fluent in French she helped the resistance movement by hiding soldiers in her nursing home and helping them escape to freedom; later she was caught and executed; Edith was a national heroine in a very humanitarian cause.

A warm round of applause followed by a vote of thanks from Jill Whiting.

Business was minimal as Lynn welcomed all members and three visitors.

Birthday girl was Marlene.

The 42nd 'Spring Show' in Upton St Leonard's is on Saturday, March 14, at 2pm.

The WI Baton celebrating the 'Centenary' reaches us on Tuesday, March 17, we join our groups at Painswick where a peal of bells will be rung and there will be a lantern parade through the famous churchyard followed by drinks and canapes.

An evening to look forward to for such a 'special' event.

We meet again on Monday, March 2, 7.30pm, for a talk on 'Canal Art', speaker Barbara Gabb.

Colour brown.

The village hall in Upton St Leonard's welcomes all ladies.