AT the latest meeting on December 1st, the speaker was Ron Graham to talk about 'The Gurkha Welfare Trust'.

Most of us had heard of the Gurkhas but were unaware of their background. Ron gave us a brief history. Round about 1787 the Gurkha people in Nepal were a thorn in the side of the Honourable East India Company. In 1864 the British army defeated them but there was a great deal of respect between the two sides.

A number of them joined the British army and formed the First Gurkha Regiment. By the beginning of World War 1 there were 100,000 serving with the British Army. Their homeland is very mountainous and, outside the capital of Kathmandu, the people are very poor and mainly have to fend for themselves.

Those that enlist have to do 15 years in the army to earn a modest pension but many return home after seven or eight years.

The Gurkha Trust was set up in 1979 to alleviate the problems they encounter. It relies mainly on charity and donations. It not only provides the basic needs for living but has also built roads and bridges to connect people together. It has also provided water supplies and some schools, though it is sometimes difficult to staff them.

On the following day, there was a good turnout at 'The Red Hall' for our annual dinner. Everyone seemed to enjoy the meal and Margaret was thanked for her efforts in organising it.

The next meeting is on Thursday, January 5th, at the Seedfield PDC at 1.30pm where the speaker will be Peter Watson. Lunch will be available in the canteen after 12 noon. GEW