The Speaker, Alan Stanley, was greeted by a large audience of members and visitors for his talk on SARA the Severn Area Rescue Association. Patsy Anderson, the president, introduced Alan, the chairman of the Wyre Forest Branch of the Rescue Service, and informed him that her was the first to use the Village Hall’s newly installed large screen for his slides.

Patsy Anderson thanked members for attending the successful coffee morning for WI funds at her home last month, and announced that Margaret Cook will attend the National AGM in Leeds on June 7 as delegate.

She also reported on the Forest Group Presidents and Secretaries Meeting and spoke of the plans now being made by the group for receiving the Centenary Baton for the afternoon of September 13.

The arrangements for the Summer Outing to Hardwick Hall on June 27 were confirmed by Patsy. A High Tea will be provided by Amber Valley WI in Derbyshire on the return journey. Anne Freeston, the booking secretary, outlined various Federation events including ‘The Summer Serenade’ at Hartlebury Castle on June 20, the Lucy Hingley Memorial Lecture on nutrition at Worcester University on June 17 and two Federation Outings in July to Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and to Bletchley Park.

The competition for an original poem entitled ‘The river’ was won by Bernie Downing with Cherry Greaves second.

The next meeting will be held at Areley Kings Village Hall on April 14 at 7.30 pm, when Christine Gledhill will speak on ‘ The art of foraging’.