On Friday, October 31 members were entertained by a very interesting talk entitled ‘A Scilly Adventure’.

William Thomas was introduced and thanked by Olive Polglase. He gave a very interesting and sometimes amusing account of his time as an Emergency Planner on the Scilly Isles. He told us about liaising with the police, coastguards, fire and ambulance crews, practising for various emergency scenarios on the Isles of Scilly, eg a ship on fire, an air crash, a shipwreck. Often in real and practice situations, fog would mean that no help could be obtained from the mainland, and the Scilly Islanders had to manage the disaster on their own. There were also other events that had to be managed eg the Foot and Mouth epidemic, midnight 1999/2000 when there were predictions that all computers would fail, new airport procedures following 9/11 and the screening of passengers, swine flu and the protection of the island pig population, the eclipse, the petrol strike and its effect on the boats and ambulance, policing of yachts from all over the world with their pets that could not be let ashore (rabies), a cruise ship with passengers carrying the Norovirus and Royal visits.

There was also a visit by David Beckham and Steven Gerrard to film an Adidas advertisement and their subsequent game of football.

William and his wife Trish sang several songs – Perhaps love, Portrait of my love, Love can build a bridge, Island of Dreams, What colour is the wind. They brought some of their CDs that they sell to raise money for charity.

The notices were read by Dorothy Pountain and the teas were served by Phyllis Whiting and Judi Mitchell. A very enjoyable afternoon was had by all those attending.

The next meeting will take place on November 14 at 2.30pm when Freida Curnow will give a talk on ‘China after Mao’ and on November 28, also at 2.30pm Yvonne Toms will give a talk entitled A Housemaid at Buckingham Palace. The Christmas meal will be on Friday, December 5 at 6pm for 6.30pm and members are asked to give in their names and make their selections from the menu by the next meeting. All members old and new are welcome to all events.

Further information regarding the Friendship Club can be obtained from either Phyllis Whiting on 01326 563237 or Dorothy Pountain on 01326 561776.