Tuesday 16th August

Lot of visitors - speaker talked about 'The Gurka's". I found it very interesting and we all feel we want to support them - a bit shocked over speaker's charge -we thought it was a donation for the original booking - (discovered this at the end). Our speaker was a Brigadier of a Gurka troupe and very involved in the support network for Gurkas now he has retired - he has the upmost regard for them and their role as soldiers. No one, can deny the loyalty, honesty and sheer hardwork shown within their regiments - their loyalty and enthusiasm to join puts some of our lads to shame - especially after the recent riots in our larger cities. Although Joanna Lumley supported their right to settle in England - this has not been a great success as people in Aldershot will report - many sold all their possessions to come here and now live in hardship (value of their pensions in comparison to prices here) - they would have been very comfortable if they had stayed in Nepal - many especially the women want to return home where there are no language problems and they understand the way of life. So despite a great campaign the general public were misled they thought it was a great idea - but generally it has backfired on the gurkha's themselves.

However, in their homeland they still they get thousands of applications for every position when new soldiers are recruited! When a man is accepted into the Gurka's not only his own family but his whole village benefit - hence the desire to become a Gurka.

After refreshments, Iris told us about a Craft Day to be held in the autumn and a lovely wooden bowl was shown - cost to members £10 for materials but hall/craft expert to be funded from a bursary. She also showed us the results of decoupage on a shoe box - an excellent way to recycle - congrats to Iris who is a very talented craftswoman - certainly a great idea.

The Drama Group entertained - a monologue written by our member Moira was brilliantly portrayed by Angela . Wendy E and Wendy Wells and Eileen read, 'Three Old Maids' which seemed to amuse most people and our 'resident poet' completed the drama session with poems about trips to the Cotswolds and Suddely Castle - Ruth as usual was excellent. Raffle results concluded the evening. Next month - September 20th 7.45pm - Mr Dando talking about Somerset Carnivals.