The meeting started with the induction and welcoming of new member Ruth Arnold. President Julia Smith then welcomed the guest speakers Allyson Broadhurst and Lis Every from the POW trust.

Allyson gave a talk outlining the history of Ely hospital from its origin in 1940 when it was set up by the RAF to treat injured airmen during World War II. It became a community hospital in 1992 and in 2023 a redevelopment program was set up to improve facilities. The POW charitable trust was set up around the same time by three ex-mayors of Ely, Allyson, Lis and Brian Ashton, who wanted to support the hospital and keep the various parts of the NHS on track in supporting and funding the development. They have successfully campaigned to reopen the audiology department, which will provide much needed space for the Addenbrookes audiology department to work in. In addition to the refurbishment of the original facility, which was closed in 2020, a new children’s service has been added. As the current waiting list for audiology is two and a half years this is a much needed improvement.

President Julia Smith thanked the guests and invited the audience to ask questions. £150 was raised during the evening and donated to the POW trust. https://www.powelytrust.org.uk/

This was followed the next week by a Christmas lunch at Ely golf club where truly enormous portion sizes were served! A raffle was held for a hamper donated by Julia and knitted Christmas gifts were sold in aid of the East Anglian Air Ambulance.