Wings around the world

During the last few weeks the villagers of Yoxall have experienced flooding on a scale not seen for several years. Millions of people living in villages in Bangladesh experience flooding on a totally different scale. Rural communities are cut off and daily life becomes a constant struggle with medical help difficult to access. Luckily an amphibious plane from the Mission Aviation Fellowship [MAF] is able to land on the water and provide specialist surgeons and a floating hospital is set up. Mike Fawdrey, a volunteer with the MAF gave us an insight into the fantastic work carried out by this little known organisation. It was founded at the end of the second world war by Stuart King who wanted skills learned during the war to help people not destroy them.

The organisation has 130 planes providing help to 38 countries from Ecuador and Brazil to most of Africa  and of course Bangladesh. Every 3 minutes a MAF plane is landing or taking off providing health, hope and healing. The planes are flown by Christians who are already qualified pilots before joining MAF and receive a modest salary whilst raising money for the charity. Many groups work with MAF like the Pentecostal Church and the Salvation  Army. For many communities, without the airstrip and MAF, clinics would not be possible during the rainy season,when towns cannot be reached by road. Basically, MAF flights make impossible journeys possible, often using basic grass or dirt airstrips.

MAF is an international organisation and not very well known. They carry out no advertising but do publish a free magazine giving lots of information about their life saving work. We all came away from the meeting with a huge amount of respect for these life saving pilots.

In the meeting one of our members reported back on our visit to Highgrove. The journey was eventful, as we hit a storm on the motorway and visibility for our poor coach driver was difficult. An hour later as we arrived at Highgrove the clouds had cleared and we had brilliant sunshine for the remainder of the day. We learned later that the storm had continued its way to Yoxall and several members gardens were under water.Highgrove is a wonderful garden and all of us enjoyed the visit.

Another member reported back from the National Federation Womens Institutes AGM at the Albert Hall. The two speakers were Lord Julian Fellowes of Downton Abbey fame and Dr. Aderin-Pocock, an enthusiastic speaker on space travel and astronomy.

Arrangements for the August picnic at Heath House, Tean, were finalised. Our next meeting is on September 12th when the speaker will be our very own Mal Hawksworth. Visitors are very welcome. Phone Penny Bailey on 01543 472756 for further details.