We only met Valentina after her husband, Yurii, retired from his post with MOD in Hampshire. When we visited him in Leeds, she was warm and hospitable and became our friend in her own right so our visits continued after Yurii's death. She prepared many a sumptuous meal for us (even when she had been told not to bother). We enjoyed with her conversations on wide-reaching topics of which memories of and contemporary issues in Bielorus were central. We thank Valentina, for her friendship. May God bless her and may she rest in peace. Catherine and Mike Davis