The Inner Wheel Club met at the Fourcroft Hotel on Monday, May 12. President Meryl welcomed members and introduced the guest speaker for the evening, Laura Pratt, regional fund-raising manager for South Wales. Laura is a dedicated worker for the charity 'DebRA'. DebRA is a national charity working on behalf of individuals and families affected by epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare genetic condition which causes the skin to blister at the slightest friction or even spontaneously. Skin blisters have to be lanced and dressed every day, a painful procedure taking up to three hours. In its most advanced form, EB can be fatal in infancy. People with EB are often fighting infection, both internally and externally. Laura's talk and accompanying video was extremely moving. At the moment there is no known cure, but much rests on research into cell therapies. After a coffee break and thanking Laura, a business meeting took place. President Meryl gave a full report of the functions she had attended. These included the Soroptimists' dinner, Ladies Circle dinner, the 70th anniversary of the Inner Wheel Club of Carmarthen and the Overseas Rally at Blackwood. President Meryl and vice-president Joyce delivered gifts, donated by the Tenby Inner Wheel Club, for the British Forces in Afghanistan, to Soroptimist president Dilys. Their arrival at Dilys's home coincided with the birth of two baby goats who were promptly named Meryl and Joyce! Secretary Jean gave dates for forthcoming events and read the correspondence received, including a 'thank you' letter from Jan for flowers received after her recent operation. Nick Ainger and Angela Burns had both agreed to pursue a motion, proposed at the Inner Wheel Conference, for a better deal for carers, in particular, young carers. The trip to Picton Castle on June 20 is being organised by Margaret Peake. Anyone wishing to go should get in touch with her. On Monday, May 19, several members met and walked four miles for the overseas charity 'Turn on the tap.' They were joined by other members, who were not taking part, at the Café 25, where a delicious supper was enjoyed. The next meeting of the club will be the annual general meeting at the Fourcroft Hotel on Monday, June 16, at 7.30 pm.
