OUR April meeting began with a fascinating talk by retired doctor David Webster. Dr Webster was the son of missionaries or “Mishkid” as they were affectionately known. He was born in 1941 in Nairobi and showed us photographs, playing barefoot with his brother. But the advantages of growing up a Mishkid in Kenya far outweighed any disadvantages. In 1967 he married Rosemary and lived at the foot of a mountain with lots of wild animals surrounding them. We were shown many interesting, some rather harrowing cases he had to deal with in his small hospital with the help of 6 local men, girls were not taught at school so were unable to help.

It was really interesting to find out in such detail about the African way of life, the facial decoration of the men and neck rings of the women. How the young girls are taken into the Bush to be taught about marriage and to be circumcised. The men drank a mixture of cow’s blood and milk, warm straight from the cow which was riddled with disease, for breakfast and could have as many wives as they could afford. We all greatly admired Dr Webster, and his wife, for the great work they did in Kenya and this is a Speaker to be highly recommended to other groups.

During the business section of the meeting the Chairman welcomed one visitor and announced that we had gained 12 new members last year.

All of the groups continue to flourish and the music group sang a small selection of 60’s songs in the hope of persuading new people to join them. Details of the outings to Weston-Super-Mare and Stratford-upon- Avon were given, also information on meeting with St. John’s Guild for an evening at The Premier Inn, Worcester to give our donation to the Townswoman lady cycling from John o’ Groats to Lands End in July. We have also been invited by St. John’s Guild to a social evening in June.

Ursula Voisey, Shirley Lowe and Sylvia Stanley were thanked for becoming committee members.

We meet on the third Thursday of every month at 10.15am at Clarence Park Village, Malvern Link. Visitors are always welcome. Our new programme is on the notice board in Malvern Library.