ASTLEY WI: Two reports for the price of one this month! December’s meeting was full of fun and Christmas spirit and following the presentation of three birthday posies, there was the usual round up of forthcoming classes and events and of course, entertainment by The Shrinkin’ Violets who regaled members and their guests with a humorous ‘TV news and weather programme’, some comic verse and quotations and the customary medley of music and songs. A glass of wine and a finger buffet kindly provided by the ladies on the Committee rounded off the evening.

December’s meeting seemed a distant memory when the WI met in January. President Veronica Herridge read a letter of thanks from Barbara Hughes who was a guest last month. Barbara is the president of the local charity Home-Start Wyre Forest to which our collection in lieu of Christmas cards and the proceeds of the raffling of the nativity scene went.

There was news of Craft Club which will be resuming in March and the Lunch Club will meet in again in January following a break in December. The skittles team have one more match to play.

The guest speakers were warmly welcomed. Mr and Mrs Betts took us through a range of slides depicting the marvellous Witley Court both in its heyday and after the devastating fire which destroyed it in 1937.

Astley WI’s next meeting will be on February 3 at 7.30pm at Astley and Dunley Village Hall when Nick Channer will giving us a talk entitled From Downton Abbey to Watership Down.