Blakedown WI

The president opened the meeting by wishing everyone a happy 2018. She thanked Jackie for the flowers, and thanked everyone who braved the snow and ice to join in last month's Christmas Panto - it was hugely successful and enjoyed by all!

The Craft Club will resume on 16 February.

We voted on the WI resolutions - the majority voted for the one which encouraged more support for mental health issues.

Jo reminded us that there were tickets available for 'Wicked' at the Hippodrome on 26 April. She also asked for volunteers to help carry on the drama group, as Doreen and June are standing down after an incredible 25 years!!

Some forthcoming events include a trip to the blossom trail around Evesham in April, and a Spring meeting on 30 April at which the speaker will be Graham Walton, first father of sextuplets - he clearly survived the ordeal!

A reminder that subs are due next month please.

The president then welcomed our very own Catherine Clark to talk about her life and business hiring hats! She brought along a display of some spectacular samples of hats, hatinators and fascinators - some with matching bags. Catherine has over 2000 of these - one wonders how she manages to find husband Jonathan amongst all those hat boxes!! There are some spectacular styles and colours. Many have been to Ascot and other race meetings as well as weddings. We all agreed that wearing a hat can promote better posture and increase confidence. A good tip was that you should never wear a hat which is wider than your shoulders. In spite of this advice Catherine had a spectacular black and white hat which slightly resembled a large drone!! Catherine's life has been very full and varied - from starting in the corsetry department of Harrods, through counselling for the National Childbirth Trust, working at a Bank and finally over 20 years of hat hire.