Tales of travel at rural meeting

MEMBERS of Southend’s SWI were treated to a globe-trotting account of international travel at their April meeting.

Kathleen Martin welcomed members and introduced the night’s guest speaker, Anne Robertson.

Mrs Robertson shared her tales of being a part-time tour guide on coaches and cruise liners, giving details about her hectic lifestyle.

Meeting different people from all over the world made for in- teresting and enjoyable work, and it was a great help to Mrs Robertson that she could speak many languages.

To do the job, which involved meeting and greeting passengers off airplanes, cruise ships and buses, she had to train to become a member of the Scottish tourist guide association.

At the SWI meeting, Mrs Robertson collected £116 from the members towards the LAM Foundation, which is a organisation dedicated to finding a cure for lymphangioleiomyomatosis, a rare progressive lung disease that affects females, usually of a child bearing age.

Members were also awarded prizes for two categories.

Results: Items for a celebration buffet: Kathleen Martin gold, Jean Ives gold, Fiona Rowland red, Moyra Jane Paterson silver. Favourite holiday snap: Jean Ives gold, Christine Jardine gold, Eve Taylor silver, Fiona Rowland red, Moyra Jane Paterson red.