Update from Over WI

Our visiting speaker for the A.G.M. in March was Dr Jane Wilson-Howarth talking about her life and work in Nepal. She first visited the country in 1976 for a 6 months stay, but ultimately spent 12 years there with her husband (whom she met in Kathmandu) and her children.

In 1993 Jane and her husband revisited Nepal, where both had secured work, staying until 1998 when schooling for their children became difficult.  In 1993, Jane was pregnant with the couple’s second child but unfortunately, the birth of their son, David, was more difficult than anticipated as he was born with a hole in the heart and other medical issues. David’s difficulties did not however prevent the whole family from venturing out on many treks, with willing local Nepali ‘s helping to carry baby David in a basket.

In 2017 following the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, Jane’s husband (an engineer) secured a government funded position to rebuild local infrastructure. Jane explained the greatest difficulty in a country like Nepal is just moving the materials required for rebuilding around on the dreadful and often frightening roads and tracks.

During this period, the couple’s eldest son, Alexander, who by now was a young adult, visited. Alexander was keen to visit Tibet and so he and Jane trekked, on motorbikes, from Kathmandu across the Tibetan plateau to Tibet traversing some treacherous roads and hair-raising bridges en-route.

Jane showed us many stunning pictures of Tibet, including the mountain views and rhododendron and pine forests. She also showed us the terrifying swaying rope bridges and slippery, narrow, mud-laden “roads!

A fascinating talk.

The business of the A.G.M. followed and was quickly concluded. We are delighted that Denise Searle kindly agreed to be our Chairwoman for a further year and the committee were also re-elected for a further year with the very welcome addition of Linda Wayman to our ranks.

Rachel King.