PAT Denney, chairman of Thornbury Guild, welcomed members and visitors to the September meeting after the summer break with the good news that the garden party held in August raised the grand sum of £604 for the Guild’s current charity, the Greenhouse Project.

Thanks were expressed to Jan Ashforth and her family who had organised this event, and to everyone who had helped make it a success.

The visit to Berkeley Castle had been most enjoyable, and a pleasant day had been spent in Usk when 16 members had enjoyed an excellent lunch at the Three Salmons Hotel.

Unfortunately, the Thornbury team did not retain the trophy in the Federation Quiz, but achieved a creditable joint third place.

There was a report on Federation matters which mentioned the carol service which will take place in Thornbury on December 9.

Members were invited to provide festive items at the next meeting for a Christmas hamper to be raffled in December.

Mr Pete Chaplin is a former police officer and the title of his talk, ‘A Job with Bite’, gave a clue that he was a police dog handler, a job he did for 19 years in the 1980s and 90s.

During this period he kept a diary of events and occurrences, which he has now published in a book with the same title.

Mr Chaplin’s first dog was called Dina but Major, a German Shepherd dog, was the one with whom he had the greatest affinity, and he related some amusing anecdotes of working with Major.

The vote of thanks for an entertaining talk was given by Jo Andow.

Dot Culverhouse, Barbara Horgan and Pat Denney were among the raffle prize winners, and the competition was won by Barbara Mitchell.

Next month’s meeting will be on October 11 when there will be an American Supper to celebrate the Guild’s 58th birthday.

‘Musical Memories’ will be the entertainment provided by Terry Merrett-Smith.