I’m a newcomer myself, I’ve only lived here seven years, and when I retired from teaching I was persuaded to go along to the W.I., where they were just starting to discuss this project. I was afraid I might be bored, so I thought it was a good idea to join in.

It has made a big difference to me personally - you get out and meet more people, so I’m learning much, much more about the area I now live in. You work within your group, so you get to know the people within your group so much more - we don’t always get on, sometimes the different personalities clash and you have to work your way around that.

The project has also given me the opportunity to learn some new skills. I was already used to collecting data and writing reports, but I didn’t know anything about setting up websites. The LHI hosted a day in Taunton last May with various workshops, and I signed up for the website one, and then in September I was part of a tiny group in Bristol on a website training day, and I came home full of enthusiasm. Unfortunately we had a series of technological disasters, but we now have a new computer and scanner, so I hope to make a proper start, though I might need to ask for more help.