Meeting Reports: September Meeting:  Jean Brawn As the speaker planned for September was unable to be with us, Jean Braun very kindly stepped in to talk to us about her long and interesting life. Born in Rochdale into a large family in humble circumstances Jean started work at 14 in the local mill. When the War broke out the joined the RAF where she met her husband, Bob. After the war they moved to Ealing in London and from there bought their own house in Hornchurch. When Bob changed jobs they progressed from Kent to Putnoe, finally ending up in Sharnbrook. Theirs was a happy marriage with plenty of laughs and parties to lighten any ups and downs they may have had along the way. Jean also told us about the time she, along with hundreds of other people, waited all night in the cold to see the Pope. This was obviously one of the highlights of her life and a memory she will always treasure.

July Meeting: Mercy Ships:

It is a pity that more publicity is not given to Mercy Ships, which has performed 89,000 life changing surgeries in 592 ports around the world, many in Africa where there is little or no medical help in many places. The ship, which has 50 operating theatres, 82 ward beds, a scanner, a lab, a pharmacy and a dental facility, stays in each country for ten months. All kinds I of deformities are treated, also cataracts and growths which have been allowed to develop to a very disfiguring sire because of lack of proper treatment. All the surgery and treatment are free of charge. All the staff are volunteers and there arc sixteen countries involved, with national offices around the world. Training is given to staff if needed, and they in turn train the people of the countries they visit to be able to help themselves. Don Stephens is the president and founder of Mercy Ships, and the idea came into being because of his vision and the people who guided him in his mission of mercy, including the birth of a special needs son, and a meeting with Mother Teresa. Our thanks to Jill Pearce who was a very eloquent speaker and showed us many pictures of the valuable work they do. You can visit the website at www.mercyshipsglobal.org where you can make a contribution to this very worthwhile cause.

Contacting the Mothers' Union

The Ouse Valley Deanery Group of the Mothers' Union extends a warm welcome to members and non- members alike. If you would like information about joining the group or future meetings, please contact Hazel Scott on 01234 781 559 or Jackie Biggs on 01234 782 517.