Shirley Walker, our president, opened our November meeting. She welcomed everyone and was pleased to inform us that Maureen, one of our committee members, is now feeling much better. She also commented on the success of our AGM last month when everyone agreed that we enjoyed lively discussion followed by a very tasty fish supper.

Jan read very briefly through the minutes of the last meeting. Meriel took the members through the correspondence. Olwen gave an enthusiastic report on the half-yearly council meeting held at Stourport, which she said was very well attended. It sounded a most stimulating and enjoyable day. Pat congratulated Shirley, our president, on winning the Muriel Brioning Cup for bowls.

Our speaker for the evening was Vince Williams who gave a most interesting, illustrated talk entitled A Pilgrimage to K2. Vince began by telling us a little about the mountain range of the Himalayas stressing their vastness. They cover over 1,000 miles. K2 is the second highest mountain in the world. It is in the Himalayas, but 850 miles north west of Nepal in northern Pakistan situated in much less inhabited and wilder terrain.

He recounted with passion why he felt the need to visit the basecamp of K2. He had experience of mountaineering in Wales, but had decided to take on this challenge because in 1995 his cousin Jeff Lakes, a Canadian aged 33, had died when a ferocious storm had blown-up as he was at Camp 2 just short of reaching the summit. Six other climbers who had already reached the top were blown to their deaths by the power of the 250 plus mph cross-winds.

Vince re-told how in 1997 he travelled by plane, trucks and mostly walking boots, along with his cousin and his uncle Jeff's father, through the barren wastes of glaciers and rocks. He stressed their dependence on the superb skills of their guide and porters. He described the physical and emotional endurance on what can only be described as an amazing adventure in order to place a memorial plaque at basecamp, alongside many others who have lost their life challenging the summit of K2. The vote of thanks was given by Pauline.

The competition for a picture or photograph depicting mountains was won by Carol Hine, with Winny Condliffe second and Sheila Morris third.

The next meeting will be our Christmas party on December 14. The competition will be the smallest Christmas card.