IT was our seventh birthday and our party was held at the Friends Meeting House in Sansome Walk.

Our speaker Paul Spencer spoke about “In the twinkling of an eye”.

Orphaned when young, Paul relied on his late father’s advice to “get on and do it” and it will be done “in the twinkling of an eye”.

As a teenager he lived very rough, but earned money by doing farm work, also catching moles and rabbits (the fur being used for ladies’ coats, collars etc).

His skill was such that he was able to sort out the rabbit problem at Stratford-upon-Avon military base.

This led on to him being able to employ ex-soldiers in his pest control business.

During a spell in hospital he wrote a story poem for a little girl there, and since then his book of poems has been published; it is called In The Twinkling Of An Eye and all the profits go to charity, especially Help for Heroes.

A very full and fascinating life.

The business part of the meeting then took place.

Sheila read out thanks from the linus quilts co-ordinator Barnados and the neo-natal units at Worcester hospital for the lovely covers our Institute has made.

Then at last our birthday teaparty – tables spaced around the room, large teapot at each table presided over by a Pump House member, crustless sandwiches, delicate little scones with strawberry jam and cream, then a cake stand at each table with sponge, chocolate, lemon meringue, éclairs etc completed the treat.

A very appropriate seventh birthday celebration.

JANET HASTINGS