ECKINGTON WI held their monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 1 with the speaker, Yvonne Cocks: the first H&W first female paramedic. As well as almost a full complement of members, we had two visitors including one who was aspiring to be a paramedic. It became clear that whilst the work was tough both physically and mentally, any aspiring paramedic will find more acceptance and less prejudice than when Yvonne first started. We tend to forget that it was only in 1985 that there was first introduced a national course for extended care ambulance staff, now known as paramedics. It has become a vital role in the health service providing valuable life saving treatment. But in those first few years, there was ‘concern’ by other medical professionals with the start of the paramedic force doing more initial medical treatment and procedures, that today we all take so much for granted. It was a very interesting talk and very much a personal perspective from Yvonne who overcame several obstacles to fulfil her ambition in this role. After a break for tea, we resumed the meeting with business and we were reminded of the forthcoming Garage Sales on May 4 and an Asparagus Lunch & Walk on May 14. Volunteers were still being sought for Three Counties Show, Moon Walk, Eckstock & School Cookery. Raffle was drawn with Spring & Easter inspired prizes including a bunch of Spring Daffodils and of course an Easter Egg. Finally, in an attempt to improve our performance at next year’s round of WI Skittles, we are holding our own Social Skittles night on April 15 Pershore; having lost all of our regional WI competition matches, we can at least expect an Eckington win this time as we are playing against ourselves!! So looking forward to a reported win at skittles, our next monthly meeting will be on Wednesday May 6 and it will be our Annual Meeting.

BARBARA EVANS