CHEERFUL chairman, Betty Long welcomed over 50 members and visitors (one came from Canada) to the July meeting.

After the minutes were read and the treasurer's report given, Joan English announced details of our next outing, on September 24 by coach to the Upper Wye Valley. This will include Hereford, Hay -on-Wye, Builth Wells and Rhyader Crystal factory. Friends and husbands are invited in order to fill the coach therefore keeping the cost down.

Betty introduced the speaker, a change in the programme, as Simon Penn of Avoncroft having had a recent operation was unable to come. However we were lucky to obtain the services of John Fletcher, a natural born raconteur. He started off by regaling us with funny stories and jokes, then came the serious part - lasting for all of five minutes! He had sold his own business upon retirement and was persuaded by a friend to take up raising money for charity. This in itself was a very worthwhile second career. However, in doing so he made sure that everyone involved thoroughly enjoyed the whole procedure as well as raising thousands of pounds. The operation held at Wellesbourne Airfield involving coercing lots of farmers, companies and even the British Army into lending their vehicles with a driver for the day, so that amateur drivers could "Have a Go". The army even lent a tank! There were articulated lorries, tractors, a fire engine, an ambulance and a double-decker bus among the assortment of vehicles. The day raised a sum of £4,800!

Mr Fletcher's expertise in fundraising was put to good use time and time again, and many charities have him to thank. However, we thanked him for his talk with a cheque for one of his good causes.

The chairman gave the vote of thanks and members adjourned for coffee and a chat until about 10pm.