February 12th 2015

Murder, Mayhem & Mangled Helicopters
Steven Bruce

Steven is a co-Director of the Ashgrove Clinic in Higham Ferrers where he is an osteopath and also the Training Coordinator.  He turned his efforts to osteopathy in 1995 after a lengthy career in the Royal Marines, graduating in 2000.  Steven has seen active service in Iraq. He has some observations on the role and impact of women in society in Iraq. His talk in February is based on his experiences. 

Review of the evening
Steven's career in the Marines took him to various places around the world where he considered helping people to be a large part of his work, rather than opening fire on them. His talk involved 4 women who had an impact on his career. One was a pregnant Muslim woman in premature labour, who was whisked off to hospital in a helicopter full of Marines, unable to communicate with them. Steven held her hand as it was felt it was the only thing he could do to help, once the rudimentary medical checks had been made on her by a glorified first aider. 

Later, whilst working for an organisation which was rebuilding and reconstructing the country after war, he was involved with an Iraqi man and his daughter. He helped them with somewhere to live and in turn they helped the Marines.

The last 2 were Fern, a Human Rights lawyer from America and Tascha, his own daughter who went out to Iraq straight after sitting her GCSEs to do work experience with Fern. What a brave thing for him to agree to and for her to undertake.

His mangled helicopter was the result of a crash where no-one was hurt except perhaps pride as it ran out of fuel and the Marines had to rescued by US Marines - ultimate embarrassment!

Competition - Valentine

The competition for a Valentine inspired item was won with a pot of Muscle Rub and tongue in cheek notes about it, second, a display on a tray of crocheted hearts and roses, heart decorated mug, card and chocolates and third, a basket of various sizes of knitted and sequinned hearts.