JULIE Wacey, the chairman, opened the January meeting by wishing everyone a happy new year.

Audrey Speechley was welcomed as a new member as were two visitors.

Members travelling to the ice show at Cardiff were reminded that the coach will be leaving Richmond Road at 11am and the cost will be £10 per person.

The speaker for the morning was Gill Holt speaking about Malvern people. Gill has produced a series of books on various aspects of life in Malvern, from childhood in Malvern, schools, the wartime and work and leisure, some of which can be bought from the Malvern Museum.

Some people had been interviewed and their thoughts and memories put onto tapes which were played to members. To some members it brought back memories of their childhood and instances that had happened during their life.

Mr Holt started with Reg Weedon, a well known hotelier in Malvern, who came to the town in 1945. He spent quite a bit of time at Madresfield Court dining with Lord and Lady Beauchamp. Grand balls were held at the winter gardens where everyone wore full evening dress. Reg was a very interesting man who sadly died when he was aged 99.

One of the highlights of the morning was the interview with Dennis Morgan talking about when he was a boy during the war when the Americans, Belgians, French and Poles were based in Malvern. There was great competition for the attention of the local females he said.

Dennis went into the ARP when he was 15 and was made a telephonist although he had never used a telephone in his life. He talked about the time the telephone rang and the message was red alert. He did not know what to do. Later he inherited a motor bike and became an ARP messenger.

Dennis became a blacksmith in Barnards Green, where he mainly shod horses at a cost of six shillings for a full set of shoes.

Later his business moved onto making structural steel products.

It was a most interesting morning, especially for those members present who were Malvern born and bred.

The vote of thanks was given by Maureen Williams.

The next meeting will be on Thursday, February 21, at 10am at the URC Hall when Paul McGuire will be speaking about life as a Butlin's Redcoat. Visitors are most welcome.