The meeting was opened with a welcome to the 30 people who attended and especially to our guest speaker, the TV news presenter and cancer survivor, Nicholas Owen.

Nigel expressed our appreciation to Laurie and Adam Smart for allowing us to use the Preston Cross Hotel as a regular venue, and to Malcolm Crow and EBP for the very attractive website that they have donated and currently update for us. Thanks also to Steve Lawrance who designed our logo and is working on a flyer for us to make available at surgeries, hospitals and other locations.

We went on to discuss how we would organise future meetings and agreed that we will meet every second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm and alternate between a social gathering and inviting a guest speaker. The social meetings may be at the Preston Cross Hotel, although a couple of members have suggested hosting one at their homes – so watch this space.

As our supporters have offered their services and facilities free of charge we do not have the problem of funding at the moment, although there will be a small charge for refreshments. One member has presented us with a very generous donation towards these costs but we will have a bowl for any contributions available at meetings. Nicholas Owen kindly gave his time and wanted nothing for his travelling costs but we cannot expect all future speakers to be so generous.

John introduced Nicholas who gave us a very amusing insight into his experiences as a journalist in the press as well as TV and went on to tell us about his journey battling kidney cancer. It was both entertaining and informative and put the members very much at ease for a little time of social chatting.

Our registered membership is up to 27 and a good mix of boys and girls and including carers and friends as well as those diagnosed with some form of cancer. We hope that more will be tempted to join us.

The meeting ended at 10pm with the proposal that our next will be at 7.30pm on Thursday 15 October in the bar at the Preston Cross Hotel for a social and informal gathering. Macmillan Cancer Care will hopefully address our following one at 7.30pm on Thursday 12th November.