PRESIDENT Virginia Williamson welcomed members.

Since the previous meeting, members enjoyed a lovely walk at Delamere followed by lunch at The Fishpool Inn, and seven members enjoyed a craft day of rag-ragging, hosted by Ruth Turner.

Future events were discussed, a theatre visit to see Run for your Wife on April 29, and The Diamond Anniversary evening on June 2, where a magician will be performing.

Other activities include a trip to Port Sunlight on July 16, a coffee morning, garden party and a garden visit.

The speaker for the meeting was Graham Stirrup. Graham’s talk was about the sacrifice and service given by animals in military conflicts.

He spoke about the range of duties that animals, such as horses and mules, carried out on the front lines during the First World War, particularly in the movement of supplies and ammunition.

Dogs had been trained not only in mine detection, but also to deliver messages and run telephone cables down the lines.

There were also Para-dogs, who jumped with the men when they were on covert missions behind enemy lines during the Second World War.

Graham told members that a medal was now awarded to animals, the PDSA Dickin Medal, as well as a memorial on Park Lane, which lists all the animals that took part in both World Wars.

The next meeting is on May 12, where there will be a resolution on organ donation, followed by a fashion show by Bon Marché.

Christine Barwell