THE president welcomed the members and Claire, a visitor. Apologies were received from four members.

She then welcomed the speaker, Pat Byrne and her guide dog puppy, Rosie. Pat told about how she became a puppy walker and the training involved. A walker has the puppy for about 12 months and, during that time, has to toilet train it, and also teach the basic commands.

The puppy must get used to everyday noises, such as music, sirens, sudden loud noises, and how to behave on trains and buses (some guide dogs now travel on planes). Jumping up at people is definitely not allowed! Pat told us that Rosie is her ninth puppy, since she started walking in 2007; she walked Rosie’s mother.

When Rosie leaves Pat, she will go on to Puppy School for more advanced training, and hopefully, at around the age of two, she will be assigned to her blind or partially-sighted owner. There are lots of Guide Dog Support groups around the country, raising money to fund the training of the dogs. The public can help by making donations, fund raising and sponsoring a puppy.

VR group news included the Summer Event, which will be a visit to Chatsworth House, in late June and notice of the Autumn Meeting to be held at the Winsford Academy on the 15th October.

To celebrate our 25th anniversary, we shall visit the Goldenfields Nursery, in Tarvin, to see the new Centenary rose, and then have Afternoon Tea at the Fishpool Inn. We shall also be taking part in the Delamere Street Festival, to promote the WI.

June 24 is the date for the next meeting at St Luke’s coffee shop.

Brenda gave a brief report of the annual conference in Leeds. It had been an excellent meeting and the resolution “Increasing Awareness of Organ Donation” was passed with 5,981 votes for and 133 against. A more detailed report will be given at the next meeting on July 14th.

Brenda Hickson