STUDENTS from Finland, Moldova, Lebanon, Lithuania, Japan, Ukraine, Russia, Czech Republic and former Yugoslavia, have been guests of Wirral families. They are taking part in a foundations for freedom course at the Moral Re-armament Conference Centre, near Tarporley.

The students visited Tranmere Community Centre and were shown around by Jill Quayle, who told how the Methodist Church Hall has been turned into a sports and arts centre. The party then moved onto another Pathways area, The Beechwood Estate. Miss Ann Rignall, of Rock Ferry, who is one of those running the course at Tarporley, introduced them to Rev Bob Toan, vicar of St Peter's Church and Elaine Banks, a social worker based at the church.

Other highlights were a trip on a Mersey Ferry Boat and a visit to see Wirral Mayor, Barney Gilfoyle, at Wallasey Town Hall. He was introduced to students Mikaela Gronqvist, Natali Cernov, Mohamad El Mortada, Maurius Pukelis, Atsushi Ota, Antonnia Bespalova, Angela Starovoitova, Anatoly Tchouriakov, Duska Vranjesevic and Petra Krusinova.

With them were Ian and Pauline Maclachlan, of Moreton, and Alan and Aline Faunce, of West Kirby, their hosts.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.