Upton St Leonards WI with speakers Merleen and Paul Watson from Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

THANK you cards had been received from County Chair Jan Turner, Maggie Vinson, Lesley Watters and Coopers Hill and Brockworth WI with their best wishes.

All agreed our 95th birthday celebration was a huge success.

Apologies to Esther Bourne from The Cakery Upton St Leonards for omitting her name in last months report.

Two weeks later 24 members enjoyed a celebration meal at the Hallmark Hotel.

Lynne welcomed all members giving us dates of our next Lunch Club at the Whittle on March 20, and the ACM at Cheltenham on March 21.

Our group rally is on April 20, at Witcombe Village Hall.

Merleen and Paul Watson from Broadway were our speakers from Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

Being deaf from her 30s Merleen gave us an insight into how deafness affects peoples lives and how life changing her constant companion Grace has been.

At this point the star of the evening Grace, a beautiful black Cocker Spaniel was introduced and obeyed every command Merleen gave her performing a perfect demonstration of her job.

Demand is growing and without government funding the charity relies on the public and companies to fund their life changing work.

A warm round of applause followed with a vote of thanks from Marlene.

We meet again on Easter Monday, April 2, in USL Village Hall to hear a presentation from Chris O'Grady on “ A Walk to Rome”.

All ladies are very welcome.