THE March meeting of Knowbury WI was well attended and welcomed Victor the six year old black Labrador and his visually impaired handler Meredith Vivian. After members introduced themselves to man and dog, there followed a relaxed and enlightening conversation with Meredith who took us through the schedule and cost, around £50,000, it takes to train and maintain a special dog like Victor. He then took us on a virtual train journey from Ludlow Station to Church Stretton Station and then walked us through the streets and shops. With humour and amusing anecdotes he talked through the hazards a visually impaired person experience on the roads, using pedestrian crossings and finding the right shops. Victor prefers the butchers to the book shops but Meredith uses his senses of smell and hearing and with the help of the eyes and loyalty of Victor, they overcome most difficulties. Members agreed the whole experience was most entertaining and illuminating.

The highlights of the business meeting were as follows. President Carol Hardy had produced a flyer for distribution locally to aid recruitment, the date for the annual litter pick had been set for April 12, Ann Bounds will be attending the AGM in Brighton as group delegate later on in the year and Annie Felix had arranged an evening open to the public on September 30. Mark Baldwin will be speaking on the subject of the Enigma machines used to break the Nazi codes which helped end the Second World War. A bar and refreshments will be available.

The president reported the South Ludlow Group activities for the year which will include a meal on May 17, the group meeting to be hosted by Clee Hill WI and a shopping trip to Cheltenham at the end of the year.

The next meeting will be on April 14, will be the annual gentlemen and friends meeting, and Mark Baldwin will speak on the brave women of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) a secret British World Second World War Organisation.