ASSOCIATION OF MEN OF KENT AND KENTISH MEN (Bromley & Beckenham Branch)

A cheque for £270 was handed over in October to Harris HospiceCare - its charity for this year. Making the presentation to Sally martin, branch chairman, Helen Gribble said the amount was the most the branch had given to a single charity in one year. During the event, Sally outlined the work undertaken by Harris HospiceCare.

In November members welcomed Mr David Watson, chairman of West Wickham branch on the RNLI, whose talk was mainly focused on the Thames lifeboats. Members heard that at the government's instigation, in the light of the Marchioness disaster, the RNLI launched four new lifeboat stations on the Thames between Teddington and Gravesend in January 2002.

Six lifeboats operate on the river and their presence has helped to make the river safer now than it has ever been, said Mr Watson. The service aims to reach any part of the river within 15 minutes.

He stressed that despite stringent regulations imposed by the river authorities, the use of boats by people lacking navigational experience was a hazard. In July and August this year, Thames lifeboats rescued 214 people.

Newcomers (both men and women) are welcome to attend our meetings, for further information contact Shirley Toull on 020 8650 1330.