Recently I went to my first LCI Conference in Hamburg, I’ve been a circler for 4 years and didn’t really know what to expect although other ladies had come back and said how fabulous it was. They weren’t wrong; I had a wonderful time and met some amazing ladies. My Job takes me away from home sometimes, and there’s lots of time spent in hotel rooms working or just getting a little bored. So on my most recent trip I thought why not see if there are any circlers in the local area.

Well there were, I got in touch with Anne- Karin Nokland Berge as I’d met her in Hamburg, she was straight on the case, emailing all circlers in Oslo where I would be in 4 days time, I had to admit that I didn’t hold much hope as I’d given so little notice.

I was VERY wrong, not only did I get two evenings offered to me, but the ladies of Oslo responded so fast.

So I have earlier this week visited a prison in Oslo, an actual working prison, we were given an overview of the prison and it’s 400 prisoners, the range of reasons why they were there and the different levels, we then took a tour of the facility, including the solitary confinement and the ‘foreigners’ wing, which thankfully as I was on best behaviour I was allowed to leave :o), of course my Norwegian is not very good but there were plenty of willing and able ladies to help me out .

I don’t think there is any other organisation in the world for young women where you can call up people you hardly know, be cared for and share an experience with other than ladies circle. I definitely can’t imagine I’d ever have got to visit a prison in Oslo.

A huge thank you to the ladies of Oslo ladies circle for your welcome and hospitality.

I will definitely be seeking out a circle on my travels again and would recommend it .

Alex Bennett , Blackburn Ladies Circle 318 , Area 35 Chairman GB&I