THE Hereford branch of the Parkinsons’s Disease Society is 20 years old this year and members are finalisng events to mark the occasion The national organisation, established in 1969, is 40 in the same year, making it a double celebration.

The society has nearly 29,000 members, more than 40,000 supporters and more than 330 branches in the UK.

It gives support, advice and information to people with Parkinson’s, as well as their carers, and last year spent nearly £4 millon on funding research into the cause, cure and prevention.

The Hereford branch has appointed a new committee with Dr John Dalziel as president, Peter Nelson, chairperson, Pam Wilford-Smith, vice-chairperson and membership, Val Holloway, treasurer, Betty Jeffries, secretary, Hugh Guthrie, transport, Vera Hadley, newsletter, Rose Martin, friendship groups and 100 Club, Wendy Haigh, events organiser, and Kath Bouifraden, committee member.