The meeting of the Guild took place on July 16.

The chair, Liz Hubbard welcomed the members and received apologies from Liz Moseley, Molly Hudson, Margaret George and Pat Banner.

The chair reminded members of the fire drill and obtained agreement for the June minutes to be accepted and signed. The Treasurer had an up to date report which she welcomed members to examine if they wished. Monies for the Autumn Event will be collected in August.

Ann Birchell, vice chair, gave members the following information relating to Federation Reports/Events. The Annual Lunch on July 30 and the Autumn Event on October 10.

The Guild's next monthly lunch is on August 6 at the Belle. As the Lawnswood had been popular, it was suggested that we go there on all future occasions and the membership agreed we try this.

We have one coffee morning planned which is at Pat Caddick's on August 29. Pat Hadley had some names for the visit to Ashwood but we do need more. Friends are welcome. The cost would be £6.50 which they give to charity and we would make our own way there.

Notices advertising several shows at Dudley Town Hall were displayed.

The speaker Dean Harris who is a voluntary member of the International Emergency Rescue Team then told us about his role when the team are sent abroad to assist. The team is sent by the Government and Dean has been to Japan, New Zealand, Haiti and Pakistan. When the team is called up they all meet at Stanstead where their papers are all checked and they are also given any necessary injections. The team take everything they will need with them including food and all equipment, some 50 tons. When they land the first task is to move everything to a designated area and this can be done by carrying it all. They then draw up a plan of action and borrowed two helicopters in Haiti to do this. They spent time in Haiti trying to find people in damaged buildings and for this task they take dogs with them to sniff out live people.

During this exercise they rescued a 2 year old child who had been 'entombed' for two days in a collapsed building. She had been attending a nursery.

Liz Hubbard gave a vote of thanks to Dean.

The next meeting of the Guild will be on August 20 when Alma Gutheridge will give a talk and demonstration about 'Rag Rug Making' Visitors are always welcome to come along to the meeting at Wordsley Community Centre and the charge is £3 which includes tea and biscuits.