GRAVESEND EPILEPSY NETWORK Gravesend Epilepsy Network took up an invitation extended by Chris Pond, our local MP, when he was guest speaker at our May 2002 meeting19 GEN members went on a Tour of Parliament on the first Friday in June. They were escorted around by an official guide who explained Parliamentary procedure and had some humorous stories as he told of distant and more recent historical events. They touched the despatch boxes as they walked through the Commons chamber but were unable to see the Lords chamber as they were debating euthanasia and their public gallery was full. The tour ended with a sandwich meal in the visitors restaurant. All said, it had been an interesting day.

The second Friday saw the annual barbecue at Lynn and Fred’s place. Different people had worked all day getting the garden ready, arranging furniture, putting up gazebos, parasols and preparing food. A dry sunny evening and Chef Fred was kept bust at the grill as sausages, burgers, chicken and spare-ribs were consumed with potato salad and cold drinks by 26 members who came along to this open-air social occasion. They could eat as much as they liked for a small charge collected by the Events Organiser. The outdoor lights came on and everyone sat chatting as darkness enveloped them.

Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month from 7.30pm until 10pm at Emmanuel Baptist Church Hall, Windmill Street, Gravesend (opposite Police Station). The next is July 3 and will welcome guest Dr Pam Thompson, Psychologist at the Chalfont Centre and the National Hospital. She will be speaking about Epilepsy and Memory.

New members are always welcome. For more information, please contact Lynn Savill on 01474 351673 (!0am - 7pm weekdays).