JUST imagine, more than 1,100 miles of ice and snow, temperatures down to 50 degrees below zero, raging blizzards, howling wolves and 16 huskies pulling you ever onward, night and day. That is the Iditarod Race.

At the March meeting members and visitors were totally enthralled by Max Hall's account of his experiences in the race.

With his atmospheric slides he told how the race starts at sea level in Anchorage, Alaska, climbs 3,600 metres to cross the Alaska range, descends to the frozen Yukon River and finishes at the one time gold-mining town of Nome on the Bering Strait.

Up to 70 teams set out, but to complete the race every care must be taken of the dogs.

They need to consume 10,000 calories of special food a day to run 100 miles, pulling for six hours, then resting for six hours on straw, strewn on the snow.

They wear special bootees to protect their feet and veterinary inspections are held at the checkpoints.

The lead dog is especially important. If he loves and trusts his musher (the driver) he will race. If he's not happy there will be a sit down strike.

They all have names, a big favourite being 'Churchill'.

Max has completed the event five times and in 1999 won the Sterling Achievement Award for the fastest time by an English Musher. Katherine MacVicker, who spoke of the courage and powers of endurance that must be required to finish the race, thanked him.

An animal ornament was the competition for this month and was won by Barbara Buckley.

Joan Hunt reported that the collection for aluminium cans and foil had raised £15.64. Members agreed this should be made up to £20 and donated to St Luke's Hospice.

President Sophie Gambrell thanked members' husbands and visitors for their attendance and announced that David Cummings would speak on The Magic of Swans on April 14. For details, call 01606 883652.