Embroidering politics was the theme of an informative talk given to the Herefordshire and Marches Association of the National Trust by Dr Sophie Holroyd. Illustrating her talk with examples of needlework by Mary, Queen of Scots, Dr Holroyd showed how a visual code using recognised emblems such as the hare: lechery and wantonness, and the snail: revenge, could convey meanings. The embroideries were 16th-century text messages, 450 years before mobile phones. One of the slides illustrated a cushion cover by which Mary, Queen of Scots, intimated that Queen Elizabeth I should be executed. The most famous embroidered story is, of course, the Bayeaux Tapestry of 1077. Around 900 years later this was adapted by the satirical weekly Private Eye to lampoon current political events. Gentlewomen of the 16th century spent a large part of their time embroidering. Apart from adorning their households, the embroideries could be used as gifts to convey loyalty to a person or cause. The next meeting in the Great Hall at the Royal National College is on Tuesday, March 23, at 7.30pm when the speaker will be Duncan James on the timber-frame buildings of Herefordshire. Contact 01432 264366 for further information.

The first talk of the year for the Royal British Legion's Dilwyn, Eardisland and Monkland branch was when Mr Brian Davies addressed the branch in February at the Crown Inn. Born in Cardiff, Brian joined the RAF in 1941 with his sights set upon winning his wings. This ambition was achieved after a rigorous training period in Britain and the USA. Listening to his experiences as a young Flight/Lt. Pilot who flew both the Halifax and the Dakota was most interesting. Chairman Richard Hall thanked Brian for sharing his exploits and happy times at Shobdon Airport, training as a glider tug pilot, the more serious posting to Bomber Command and night flying over Germany, and his time in West Africa flying Dakotas after 1945 for what was to become West African Airways. The March meeting heard of Weobley-born Warren Jones's wartime experience with the Merchant Navy. He began with an analysis of the U-boat threat, the convoy system and the role of developments in radio and radar technology that was to turn allied fortunes in the Battle of the Atlantic. Immediately following the D Day landings, Warren found himself on a round-bottomed Baltic Sea tanker, ferrying petrol between the Solent and the Normandy coastline to fuel the advancing armies. It was a fascinating talk that left members moved by the vulnerability of those who served in the wartime merchant fleet. Michael Moult thanked Warren for sharing his exploits. The Dilwyn, Eardisland and Monkland grand draw held in February for the branch local charity fund raised £781. President Richard Hall extended thanks to everyone who raised the prizes for their generosity.

THE Hereford Rotary clubs, Hereford City and Hereford Wye Valley, have combined to purchase and donate a full set of football kit to the Hereford United Disabled Football Club. Making the presentation were Ron Young secretary of Hereford Wye Valley Rotary Club and junior vice president Paul Morris of Hereford City Rotary Club.