Eight members demonstrated their various skills which greatly interested and inspired their fellow members at the September meeting.

The evening was reminiscent of the origins of the WI movement, founded in Canada in 1897 to teach home skills.

Julia Rogers demonstrated her cookery skills by making delicious scones in the village hall kitchen for refreshment time.

Bernie Downing demonstrated knitting technicalities while Laurie Parfitt explained the intricacies of crochet work. Members were able to try their hands at these skills, as they were in Margaret Shaddock’s art demonstration where they designed and painted herbaceous borders with acrylic paints. Betty Bickerton showed a different form of art with her life drawings in pastels.

Members made small flower arrangements suitable for the president’s table following Margaret Cook’s demonstration and Cherry Greaves demonstrated the art of making attractive fascinators.

Diana Hackett, a retired physiotherapist, talked about the less glamorous side of life with ‘Body Maintenance’.

She had her audience exercising muscles in their feet, knees, shoulders and neck, which she encouraged members to do regularly to enhance their general well being.

During the business meeting, president Cherry Greaves thanked Laurie Parfitt and her husband for hosting the ‘Royal Garden Party’ evening in their lovely garden and also the committee for their help. The event raised money for the Denman College Bursary and was a great success both socially and financially.