60 members braved the weather on Monday evening to hear Melanie Monaghan from Merton Young Carers, our chosen charity this year, tell us about work that they do, and that we will be supporting.
This was followed by an entertaining and informative talk by Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Williams, Merton Police Commander, who, amongst other things, reminded us that we should never hesitate to dial 999 if the need arises. He also told us that there is an opportunity for a member of the public to ride out in a patrol car each month. Any volunteers??
Twenty or so fresh inmates lined up by the gates of the prison. Shivering in the cold, grey damp air, nervous anticipation spread quickly through the ranks. The prison warden eyed us grimly as we proffered our photographic identification – numbers were issued, and hung round our necks, mobile phones were confiscated till our release. I was number 9 as the first 15 of us were marched through the gates on the way to Clink.
