MERLEEN Watson, from the charity Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, paid a welcome return visit to our meeting this month but this time accompanied by amazing Grace, her small black spaniel. Grace has been trained to identify 12 sounds in Merleen’s home – some safe such as the cooker timer, others unsafe such as a smoke alarm and has given Merleen , who is profoundly deaf more independence and confidence. One in 6 of the UK population suffers hearing problems and as this figure is estimated to rise to one in 5 by 2030 the need for such intelligent dogs as Grace will increase. We were delighted to see Grace in action and to hear more about her training.

At a very busy meeting Cathrin Jones reported on the successful pottery workshops, Veronica Watson gave details of the equally successful Knit and Natter sessions, Pam Veale’s had sent a report of the Spring Council meeting in Pershore when the Royal Navy gave a presentation and members were able to sign up for clay pigeon shooting classes, and outings to the National Arboretum in August, to Lord and Lady Heseltine’s garden in October and to Salisbury Christmas market in December. The 8 members who are opening their gardens to the public at the end of this month were wished “good luck” and members who donated items for last month’s very successful “Grow it, Make it, Bake it “ auction were praised for their talents and thanked for their generosity. Members also discussed this year’s resolutions which could form national campaigns – the need to reduce food waste to help prevent food poverty and the need for the NHS to provide facilities for carers of patients suffering dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. We were all grateful for the unique perspectives which Margaret Holland and Elaine Gibbs gave us on the latter which helped inform our voting. Thank goodness that we always have delicious cakes and tea to sustain us through our very busy meetings !

J McLEISH