This month Chilcompton Golden Hour club welcomed Anita and Frances, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance volunteers, who explained the role of this vital service. As a charity, it needs £5 million a year to operate. It costs £3,000 for each mission and there were 2231 last year.

Highly qualified doctors and specialist practitioners are able to administer medication, give blood transfusions, or anaesthetise a patient within the first hour, which is essential for a good outcome. The helicopter operates from Henstridge airfield, where training is also carried out and works alongside Cornwall, Devon and Wiltshire air ambulances.

Many volunteers raise all the funds necessary to ensure that this life-saving service continues. The speakers were thanked for their enlightening talk.

Golden Hour members will meet for a Christmas lunch on 13th December.

Marlene Pickford