President Cherry Greaves welcomed Doreen Jeeves, a federation vice-chairman, to the November meeting.

Cherry gave a comprehensive report on the Federation Council Meeting at Malvern, at which several Areley Kings members had excelled in the craft competitions.

Secretary Lin Edwards spoke of village hall activities including the 10- year celebrations in June 2014, and the new media facilities.

Margaret Cook asked for more volunteers to help in the hospital League of Friends shop, and also suggested that other members might join the five who have already booked for the Federation weekend at Denman College in March.

Doreen Jeeves, the federation representative to the Associated Country Women of the World, spoke on the origins of the association in the early part of the 20th century.

WIs and like-minded women’s organisations throughout the world raise funds to support the various ACWW projects.

Two projects being supported by the Worcestershire Federation at present are a water sanitation project in Bangladesh and a computer training scheme in India to help adolescent girls, whose mothers are destitute or widowed, to learn computer and leadership skills in order to improve their lives.

After refreshments, the treasurer and secretary presented the financial and annual reports, both of which were adopted by members. In her president’s address, Cherry thanked her committee members individually for their hard work but also commented on the friendship and laughter at their meetings.

She thanked the press correspondents and commended the WI Art Group, the Knit and Natter Group and the Skittle Group who meet regularly during the year.

Eight members were elected to the committee. Patsy Anderson was elected president. Thanks were extended to Cherry for her work and dedication as president by Jacki Clark.

The competition for the Co-operative Cup, a themed craft tray, was won by Pauline Hadwell. The Points Cup, for attendance and overall competition marks, was won by Lin Edwards.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, December 9 at 7.30pm at Areley Kings Village Hall, when the ‘Shrinking Violets’ from Astley WI will provide Christmas entertainment.