A RYEDALE woman is sharing her experience of taking on governments, and changing the lives of ordinary people at a talk in Hovingham.

Heather Stroud’s inspirational story began when she lived in Hong Kong and learnt of the plight of Vietnamese refugee families. Taking up their cause, she inspired the Hong Kong government, the Norwegian prime minister and a US senator to take action. Years later, Lan – a then 17-year-old girl whose life Heather transformed – returned the compliment, when her citation about Heather’s work was presented to a York court when Heather faced charges for protesting against fracking in Ryedale.

In between times, Heather battled to provide flood defences for Hovingham and joined a convoy of vehicles taking vital supplies to families in Palestine.

Heather’s talk “Resistance – futile gesture or supreme act of faith?” takes place at Hovingham Village Hall, on Saturday, June 8, from 6.30pm. Free entry.

To book a place, email daveyadam32@gmail.com