ST GEORGE'S LADIES GROUP

Robin Macintosh came to talk about the work of the PDSA. Whilst this organisation is known to most of us, few people would be able to name the person who started it. This was a lady named Maria Dicken, who was born in 1890 to a middle class family. It was while she was in London during the First World War tending injured servicemen that she became aware of the suffering of animals owned by the poor. In those days ponies or donkeys were often owned by the working classes to enable them to make a living, and if the animal fell ill there was no money to pay for a vet's fee. Maria Dicken opened her first surgery in Whitechapel and after a slow start people were soon queuing up to get help for their animals. The first surgeries had no qualified vets, only voluntary helpers who were anxious to alleviate the suffering of the animals.

It was many years later that surgeries were opened with qualified vets and assistants, who were paid staff, where anyone could take a sick animal and receive treatment free of charge. Today only people who are on benefit can take advantage of these facilities as the PDSA could not cope with the volume of patients. There are now fifty surgeries with operating theatres and the facility to board animals whilst they are recovering from an operation. The PDSA needs over £20 million a year for running costs and relies on its 150 charity shops, donations and legacies for this.

Maria Dicken was awarded the OBE for her work and there is an award, equivalent to the V.C., that is given to animals who have shown outstanding courage called the Maria Dicken Award. In 2001, after the terrible event on 11th September in New York, this award was given to several dogs who helped to find people in the rubble.

Mr Macintosh brought with him his cocker spaniel named Mongo and she spent the evening making friends with everyone.

MARGARET DEAL