FOR the June meeting of the fellowship we usually have a social outing, and this year we met on June 11 at Ripley for a very interesting guided tour of the castle, a look at the gardens and an excellent afternoon tea in the castle tearooms. Everyone had a most enjoyable time, and the weather was dry for most of the afternoon. Our next meeting is on Wednesday, July 16, a week later than usual so as not to compete with the Yorkshire Show.

We meet at Starbeck Methodist Church at 2pm, and the guest speaker will be Richard Chapman, talking about living with blindness. On Tuesday, July 16 we have a coach outing to Matlock and National Tramway Museum. The annual holiday is to Bournemouth on September 15, with visits to interesting places nearby eagerly awaited.

The Healthy Walkers met on June 25 for a five-mile walk around Galphay, and on Wednesday, July 30 their walk will be from Spofforth to Follifoot and return, an easy 4.5 miles, with an optional social lunch stop afterwards. Details from 01423 864873.

There is no fellowship meeting in August, but the Healthy Walkers will be going to Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival on Wednesday, August 13 and can stay in Kettlewell or walk to Starbotton and back, an easy four miles. Details from 01423 507083. New walkers welcome.

Our monthly meetings will re-start on Wednesday, September 10 when the speaker will be Nicola Down, her talk entitled Thrills and Spills of Life in Television.

Membership of the fellowship is open to anyone who has worked in the NHS, and only costs £7 a year. Further information from the membership secretary on 01423 886749, or visit the website www.nhsrf-harrogate.org.uk.