Fashions come and go, but some things never change. The good work done by the Royal British Legion and the Women's Institute is as certain as death and taxes. I've had the good fortune to come into close contact with both organisations. I was invited to the annual Welsh conference of the WI at Tenby Leisure Centre. They have done a lot to shed their 'Jam and Jerusalem' image and I was impressed by this hardworking and up-to-the-minute group. They campaign on a number of tough issues, including child trafficking and prostitution, so you can hardly accuse them of being stuck in the Dark Ages. The RBL invited me to speak at a branch dinner in Wiseman's Bridge and once again I was reminded of the great work done by this charity. It's been partly due to their hard work that the Government is improving standards for our returning and serving soldiers. • It's not every day you get to meet a real British icon, but I saw one last week at Carew Cheriton Airfield when I welcomed the Pembrokeshire Spitfire to her new home. This wonderful restoration project will give people the chance to work on restoring and eventually, flying in a rare Mark VIII Spitfire. The Pembrokeshire Spitfire Aeroplane Company has already spent £150,000 buying the incomplete shell of the rare plane and it was this that arrived on the back of a lorry at the former air base. The company now plans to spend three years and another £600,000 on restoring the plane to its former glory. Hearing the roar of the famous Merlin engine over Pembrokeshire will be an incredible achievement and something I can't wait to hear.
ANGELA BURNS AM