WEST HERTS PARKINSON'S DISEASE BRANCH
The West Herts Parkinson's Disease Society Branch welcomed Tony McWalter MP Hemel Hempstead as guest speaker at their monthly meeting at St Thomas Church, Langley Road, Watford on Thursday 2nd September.
His theme was “Support for those who suffer with Parkinson's Disease — an assessment”. He was introduced by Chairman Russell Wilson who stated that the evening would be broken up into four sections.

1. Diagnosis of PD. 2. Living with PD — Maintenance. 3. Associated Medical Issues. 4 Summing up by Tony McWalter.
The MP began by admitting that his knowledge of PD was abysmal and that he had come this evening mainly to listen and absorb information from those who had the disease. He asked how people reacted when diagnosed.
He learnt that some were devastated and to others it took time for it to sink in: but all agreed that they received little help following diagnosis.
Consultant neurologists do not have the time to listen and answer questions, so there was a feeling of isolation and loneliness, as the patient and family members struggled to come to terms with the news.
The Rehabilitation Unit at St. Albans have a six week course about PD but many are too frightened or shocked to attend. They do not want to meet other sufferers who are in an advanced state of the disease. The way to resolve this gap in the NHS was to employ a PD Nurse specialist who would advise and help after diagnosis.
PD sufferers did not see their Neurologists often enough to discuss their problems fully and therefore were unable to fine tune their medication or get advice on other problems that might occur.
Communication was often difficult when the voice is badly affected and tremor prevents letter writing. The difficulty in swallowing and deteriorating eyesight are a major factor in getting understood.
Tony McWalter then asked about problems when PD patients are admitted to hospital for other medical problems and he heard distressing accounts of how Parkinson's medication, which has to be taken at specific times, is withheld to conform with hospital routine mainly through ignorance of PD.
After an hour of discussion he took the floor saying that the Branch does a vital job in helping PD sufferers to support one another. “Members have also made me aware of how social services and benefit agencies react to a disease that has fluctuating effects.
It is clear we have a shortage of consultants who specialise in PD and this generates long waiting times for people to get advice on how to cope with the illness. The main problem is the need for Parkinson's Disease Nurse Specialists to fill the huge gap left between clinic visits.
Tony McWalter MP Hemel Hempstead finished his summing up by offering to take up the case for a PD Nurse Specialist on the Branch's behalf and to return to report on progress. The Chairman Russell Willson thanked the MP amidst great applause and then declared a refreshment break.
After the break notices were read out. Pub Lunch at the “Pavillions” S. Oxhey at 12 noon 16th September.
Still places left for the Branch Holiday to The Smoke House Hotel, Beck Row (Mildenhall) Suffolk 30th May —5th June. See Ruth or Bill for further information on both outings.   Community Support Worker Amanda Horlor reported that self medication in hospitals is improving but still a lot to be done to educate hospitals in the need of administering drugs to Parkinson's patients when needed    
St. Albans Support Group meet at Hatfield Road Methodist Church, corner of Glenferrie Road on 13th September 7pm. Information Paul 01727 867439.
For next meeting of the Harpenden Support Group phone Margaret MacFarlane on 01582 715668. The Exercise Group meet every Tuesday 1030am-12noon. Watford Leisure Centre, Horseshoe Lane, Garston. A few places left. Ron Poole 01923 776152.
The Chairman, Russell Willson closed the meeting by announcing that Professor A H V Schapira Royal Free Hospital is guest speaker at the next meeting on 7th October at 2pm subject “Update on Parkinson's Disease”. For Branch Information , Amanda 01923 674488

LEVERSTOCK GREEN WI
Summer at Leverstock Green WI has not been without activity.
Our stall at the Leverstock Green Fete was both successful and enjoyable – after the heavy showers teased us and went away. We took part in the Macmillan Mile Sponsored Walk and our walk took the form of a litter collection around Leverstock Green.
We raised £53 and Leverstock Green was a lot tidier when the walk was completed!
On 18th July, we attended the WI County Craft Fair at Ware, where we saw a very high standard of workmanship in the exhibits, which included quilts, Christening gowns, tapestries, decorated wedding cakes and some tiny dolls clothes, knitted on tiny needs!
Our July meeting was, as always, a garden party held in the garden of one of our members. A ploughman's meal was provided by the Committee, with puddings to follow. A pleasant event to eat, drink and chat.
Also in July we had the privilege of being able to visit Highgrove Gardens in Gloucestershire. Twenty-five members had a lovely day which they will always remember with great pleasure. All in all our WI summer has been a busy one!
Our September meeting is entitled Berkhamsted Buildings and will be held on Tuesday 14th September at the Leverstock Green village hall. Do come and join us!

AIRCREW ASSOCIATION (CHILTERN BRANCH)
The third Wednesday evening of August saw nearly 50 members gather at the Camelot Rugby Clubhouse, Hemel Hempstead, for their monthly meeting of a natter and good fellowship.
Interest was centred on our guest speaker, Group captain Mike Peaker (RAF retired) who was a Shackleton and Nimrod pilot before completing his service career as CO of RAF, Kinloss.
His talk to us had the intriguing title of ‘The diaries of Basil Gotto', an unfamiliar name to us all.
Before Mike started on his talk we had the usual round of committee reports in which we learned that Ken Pye, our member who lives in Vancouver, was over for one of his visits to the UK, due to be with us but had unfortunately succumbed to some bug picked up on the transatlantic flight.
Hope you recover in time for the September meeting, Ken. In the Welfare Officer's (Les Calvert) report the main concern was over the health of the Welfare Officer himself, with eyes and tummy giving rise to concern. Take mighty care, Les.
The Chairman, Geoff Hulett, reminded all that the next meeting on Sept 15 is the AGM, bombard the secretary with volunteers for the committee duties and ideas to make the next year a wow.
Then to Mike Peaker's talk which started with a potted history of his RAF career before telling us who Basil Gotto is and why he found his life so interesting. At the start of WW2 Basil was a young man in business in Malaya.
He was also a pilot in the RAFVR attached to 100 squadron and flying Vickers Vildebeests, a single-engined biplane bomber with a crew of three – pilot, navigator and wireless operator/ air gunner who sat in open cockpits.
This aircraft, introduced to RAF service in 1932, could get up to 120 knots in speed if it had a following wind and was going downhill! Such was the equipment they had to face the Japanese when war broke out in the Far East on December 8, 1941. In a short while they were overrun and whilst trying to escape through Sumatra was captured and spend the next four years as a prisoner of war.
During this period Basil Gotto filled 14 books detailing his experiences, always having to hide them from his Japanese captors.
The books, as did Basil, survived the war and it was an excerpt from these diaries that formed the subject of Mike's talk.
An early bombing operation was given detailed description such that it was possible to stage a re-enactment with volunteers playing the part of crew and ground staff – Right, you, you and you, in the true service tradition.
Whilst the play-acting in some parts was hilarious (pass the whisky, it's b****y cold up here), it graphically illustrated the poor quality of equipment with which all servicemen were expected to achieve results.
Now where did I hear that lament quite recently! Basil is now in his nineties, living in Ireland with so many memories of a tumultuous life that we hope he can still enjoy a little tipple. A great talk Mike that thoroughly deserved its vote of thanks and the warm appreciative applause.

POTTEN END ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION
Sunday, August 22 saw the third annual running of the social afternoon on the allotments, when the gardeners turned up with their families to show their longest runner beans.
With the beautiful Challenge Cup donated by Mr Peter Brown of Brown's Spring Farm and great support from Wyevale Garden Centre of Great Gaddesden, Mr Dieter Schumacher of Silver Reed Ltd, and Roland and Sue of The Plough pub, the afternoon was a great success with over 20 entries.
Everybody enjoyed the wine, cheese and snacks laid on by the hard working committee of Bill Stannard, Betty Sells, Connie Alford and Ray Swan and enjoyed the light-hearted affair and banter with lots of laughs and enjoyment with what the event was meant to be.
The prize of the Trophy for the Longest Bean of nearly 22 inches went to Ray Swan, with John Smith a close second and Bill Stannard third and most of the entrants hot on their heels also received prizes.
The excellent judging and measuring was by Connie Alford's daughters Lynda, Kim, Liza and friend Sue. Everybody was happy with the results and had a nice afternoon. At the prize-giving ceremony Renee Daly was presented with the Best Allotment Shield with Connie Alford second and Bill Stannard third.

LEVERSTOCK GREEN PLAYERS
Leverstock Green Players resume rehearsals this week after their summer break. 
Our next production will be in January 2005, at the village hall, Leverstock Green. We are still on the lookout for a resident pianist who would be available on Thursday evenings from 7.45pm-10pm. We are also very short of male members so if you are 16 and over you will be very welcome to join us. We are a very friendly group. Our July show was its usual sell-out and our audiences get bigger and better.  This show's raffle money will be donated to the Lifeboat Association.  Our audience are very generous when buying their raffle tickets. AGM September 14.

potten end jubilee club On Thursday 2nd September the Club celebrated its 53rd  Birthday in Potten End Village Hall. The Club meets every month when  speakers on a wide variety of subjects are invited . The Club also organises outings now and then.
Membership is open to residents of Potten End and surrounding area for the over 50's.  Some 40 members were well entertained with songs by the ‘Gracenotes' after which Afternoon Tea was served The final ceremony was the cutting of the Birthday Cake which had been made and decorated by Club Secretary Mrs Evie Mead.
The Club would welcome new members and Mrs Mead ( Telephone 01442 866488 ) will gladly respond to any enquiries regarding membership.

BERKHAMSTED COMPANION DOG SHOW
At the 16th Berkhamsted companion dog show held at the Berkhamsted Lions Summer Fete on  Bank Holiday Monday, there were 64 dogs and 120 class entries.
Judges were Ray McDonald and his wife Debbie. Best in Show was Gem, a Smooth Fox Terrier shown by Mrs L. Horlock from Aylesbury. Best Puppy was Badger, a Border Collie shown by Christina Dalby from Welwyn Garden City. First places went as follows: Pedigree: Any Variety Puppy - Badger, Border Collie, Christina Dalby.  Any Variety, Sporting - Gem, Smooth Fox Terrier, Mrs L. Horlock. Any Variety, Non-sporting - Harry, Rottweiler, Pauline Warren. Any Variety, Open - Kolo, Border Collie, Christina Dalby. Novelty: Junior Handling Control - Kolo, Border Collie. Prettiest Bitch - Leah, Labrador, Anthony Styles. Most Handsome Dog - Herbie, Labrador, Mrs Michele Gray. Dog or Bitch in Best condition - Jodi, Crossbreed, Margaret Ashmore. Best Rescued - Bobby, Collie Cross, Jean Perrin. Veteran in best condition - Copper, Patterdale Terrier, Lyn Birchmore.   Rosettes were presented 1st to 5th places.