The 2003-04 session of the Tupsley Guild opened on April 1. Our new president, Val Twigg, welcomed old and new members and introduced Pat Laws, who gave a very interesting talk on Corneal Retrieval. It appears that there is a great need for corneas for although about 70 per cent of corneas are suitable, in Herefordshire, for example, only five per cent are donated. Corneal Donation cards can be had from doctors' surgeries and, unlike other organ donations, there is no upper age limit. The vote of thanks was given by Anita Davenport. On April 15, we had a fascinating talk with slides on 'Trekking in Nepal' given by John and Bridget Biggs. It is 50 years since Everest was first climbed, when Sir Edmund Hillary first saw the dreadful conditions in which many of the Nepalese people live. We were shown pictures of schools and hospitals which have been set up by the Hillary Foundation and that of Doug Scott, another climber, under whose auspices the treks are run. Nepal is the sixth poorest country in the world. All profits from the treks go to Nepalese charities. The vote of thanks was given by Grace Matthews. The competition, for the prettiest scarf, was a very popular one. It was won by Lil Price. Membership numbers are now in the eighties but there is always room for more! At Hampton Dene school the chairs may be small but you're always sure of a big welcome. On May 6, members were treated to a light-hearted talk by Douglas Harding on Love Songs. These consisted mostly of 20th century 'golden discs' from First World War melodies to Andrew Lloyd Webber, sung by Perry Como, Nat King Cole, Sinatra, etc., all interspersed with witty readings from a 'little red book' (Doug's, not Chairman Mao's!) and cheeky comments which caused much laughter in the audience. Grateful thanks were expressed by Joan Bishop. On Saturday, May 10, the finals of the quiz and scrabble competitions were held at St Paul's parish room. The quiz team was narrowly beaten into second place by the City Guild, congratulations, City! However, much to our delight, the scrabble was won by Tupsley member, Joan Nottingham. A very pleasant afternoon concluded with coffee, tea and biscuits provided by Tupsley.

VICE Chairman, Liz Phillips, welcomed Hereford City Guild members to their monthly meeting on May 8. Members who were entering their exhibits for the Federation Craft Show at Malvern Link on June 10, had their crafts on display for members to view, the theme of the exhibition being 'Seasons of the Year'. Secretary, Audrey Lankester will be our Guild delegate at this years' National Council Meeting of Townswomen's Guilds to be held in Birmingham on June 13. The main motion to be discussed will be for Townswomen 'To urge HM Government to take more action to tackle the problem of human traffickers in the UK, who are exploiting women and committing crimes against humanity'. On April 24, members spent a pleasant afternoon visiting the Shambles Museum at Newent. An outing has been arranged for May 22, for a visit to Burton Court, Eardisland. City Guild were the winners of the Federation Quiz, which took place on May 10. At the next Guild meeting on June 12, a talk and demonstration will be given on jewellery making by Colin Osbourne. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month at 2pm, at St John's Methodist Church Hall, St Owen's Street.

AT the May meeting of the Whitecross Townswomen's Guild members discussed several questions from the 'Topic of the Quarter' list including whether parents should be held responsible for obesity in children, and the suitability or otherwise of some TV advertising. Arts and crafts next meeting would be at 71 Breinton Road to finalise the display for the craft exhibition in Malvern. Social studies were hoping to arrange an outing to The Judge's Lodgings at Presteigne on June 11. A competition for the most humorous photograph was won by Sybil Addis with Joan Hughes second. After tea and biscuits and general chat, the chairman introduced Sally Preece, a beautician from Chadds of Hereford, who described how Estee Lauder founded her cosmetic empire and how she was the original initiator of free gifts for customers, which has now become a worldwide practice. Clinique is now the major product of the company and members were treated to a demonstration of make-up with Audrey Loynes as the model. Sally was thanked by Audrey for a most interesting evening. The next meeting is on June 4, at the Holy Trinity Institute, Whitecross Road, when the competition will be an unusual teaspoon.