Stonehouse Royal British Legion Women's Section with speaker Adrian Slade from Glos Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

THE monthly meeting took place at the Community Centre on Thursday, July 27, Rosemary was in the chair.

She led the exhortation and silent tribute.

There were 20 members present.

Our speaker for the afternoon was Adrian Slade from Glos Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers.

GARAS was formed in a redundant church in the Barton area of Gloucester 19 years ago after 100 Yugoslavians turned up.

They were frightened and scared for their lives.

It is the Government's responsibility to look after all those who seek asylum.

After wars in Eritrea, Ethiopia and Syria many more asylum seekers came to Britain.

There are about 130 in Gloucester all the time, and four families have settled in Stroud.

They are housed and given benefits.

Someone from the European Union helps them to find work and there are advice workers for those with problems.

A grant is given from Mental Health for counselling, as many have had traumatic experiences and suffer flashbacks.

Their gratitude is overwhelming.

Adrian answered questions and was thanked for his informative talk.

The winners for the competition for a favourite scarf were Doreen Burford and Myrtle Daw.

At the County Quiz in June our Stonehouse branch came fourth and sixth out of nine teams which was quite pleasing.

Our next meeting will be on August 31, when David Drew our MP will be our speaker and the competition will be for woollen hats. (To be given to David).

We are always pleased to welcome new members.