Kingswinford Ladies Social Circle.

The Ladies met at The Royal British Legion on February 4 for the first meeting of 2016.

The chairman Sheila Evans welcomed, everyone including the speakerMark Newbold. She gave a report on 3 ladies who had had joint replacements but reported that our treasurer, Audrey Phipps is extremely poorly. Audrey was a founder member when it was The Women’s Electrical Association. We send our love as we all feel she is indestructible.

Business matters were dealt with and a letter was read out from Jean Hadley thanking us for the lovely blankets presented to her for the Fistular Hospital at Addis Ababa. Another letter was read out from the chairman of The Royal British Legion thanking us for our donation following their recent burglary.

Mark began his talk by informing us he was bored with maths and physics at school so in 1978 joined the Navy. He trained as a diver and got a job on the Royal Yacht Britannia. He gave us a humorous insight into the lives of the crew and the Royals. As a member of the crew football team they played the team of Saudi Arabia. The crew captain gave the traditional pennant but surprisingly received nothing in return. However after the match the defeated crew team each received a solid gold Rolex watch. With five months to go he decided to end his naval career sailing round the Med on HM S Coventry.

However, it was deployed to the Falklands a small blob in the ocean. Although Coventry was hit during the conflict, 1 9 men lost their lives and Mark himself was injured , he survived and returned to England to marry his beloved fiancé.

His talk was hilarious, entertaining and tinged with sadness but we all agreed it was the best talk we have ever had.

Mark divides his fee between three charities, one being “ Holidays For Heroes”, started by a couple in Jersey. They now provide holidays for364 families, a year, where one member has been injured as a member of the Armed Forces.

Two ladies won the raffle.

The next meeting will be The AGM at 7.45pm on March3.