A former woman police officer kept fellow club members riveted with her tales of being in the force from 1950 to 1979.

Phyllis Sigsworth QPM told fellow members of the Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead Soroptimist International club of the challenges she had faced at a time when there were very few women in the force.

She recently published her book about being in the force entitled A Beat From the Heart to the Heart of Power, telling the story of her rise from a Policewoman Constable in the North Riding of Yorkshire to the top job for a Woman Police Officer at the time, Assistant to the Chief Inspector of Constabulary based in London.

Her talk at the meeting was followed by another from serving officer Detective Chief Inspector Phaedre Binns, currently based in Maidenhead who spoke about the opportunities which she has had so far in her career. There are many more women serving in the Force these days and all posts seem to be available for female officers.

President Sally Radford continues to chair club meetings by Zoom.

Members are preparing Christmas boxes for women being cared for by the charity DASH. Items include toileteries, notebooks and pens and will be delivered at the end of November. The Club also supports the homess charity SHOC and a recent delivery to the Slough Headquarters included underpants and socks items urgently needed by the charity.