The Beacon Wine Circle held its October meeting last Thursday.

We were given a very entertaining and informative talk by Richard Holmes about the Essex Search and Rescue Team.

This team was set up only five years ago and is made up of about 40 people, all volunteers. Its funding comes from private donations and street collections.

Mr Holmes had some very interesting slides which showed how the search and rescue team had grown from a tent in a field to its present-day use of a mobile operations room.

They only search for missing persons, mainly children and elderly who have somehow wandered away from their usual habitation.

They also assist the police in this activity.

The talk showed us what worthwhile work can and is done by voluntary activity.

The meeting ended with a raffle and a quiz.

BRIDGE CLUB

On the evening of Wednesday October 24, there were nine pairs playing bridge.

The winners were Barbara Parker and Daniele Spiers with 68.25 per cent. David Bishop and Peter Hunter, with 57.94 per cent, and Betty Frost and Ray Kalbfell with 55.56 per cent, were second and third.