Cha irmanca Veronica Herridge welcomed everyone on February 5. Apologies given for Sheila Hewitt, Jill Chew, Chris Booton, Julie Jeacock and Marina Pugh. Veronica said congratulations were in order for Marjorie Whiting, who has been appointed as vice chairman of the county. She is also current chairman of the perform - ing arts. There was full report in the Worcestershire WI News Magazine for February 2014. There was a photograph in the magazine on page 6 showing Astley members dressed for their fashion show when £100 was raised in aid of a local charity.

Celebration birthday posies were presented by Veronica to Shirley Fieldhouse, Di Crump, Jo Crow and Nina Saunders.

Veronica thanked Chris Hodgkinson for bringing the raffle prize, Di Crump for providing a lovely basket of Spring flow - ers for the table and Nina Saunders and Suzanne Moule for preparing the tea and biscuits. She alerted members to the fact that there had been a change for “ Singing for joy”venue now moved from WI House to Little Witley Village Hall.

The WFWI Forest Group have arranged their meeting for April 29 with Hosts Far Forest WI at Rock Village Hall 6.30pm for 6.45pm.The guest speaker will be Dr Michael Leach “A funny way to earn a living”. The competition is one photograph per Institute “Nature in the wild”.

Irene Hoare had organised the visit to the pantomime “Humpty Dumpty” performed by the Monday night Players at the Civic Centre SOS on January 28. WI lunch arranged by Julie Jeacock is planned for February 21 at The White Hart Hartlebury 12 for 12.30pm.

The Spring Group Meeting this year will be held at Pershore on March 20 with speaker Sheila Dibnah.

Gwen Freeman reported back from the WI Skittles Match held at Wharton Park, Bewdley on February 3. It had been a close call with Kinver winning by only 11 points.

There is a proposed visit to the Alexander Theatre for South Pacific on June 14.

Tickets cost £27 including coach which leaves Vale Rd ( for details call 01299 871606).

After the business Veronica introduced speakers Richard and Lesley Betts, well known local historians, with their presentation of “Witley Court”.

However there was an electricity failure and the emergency exit and safety lights kicked in. The raffle was able to be drawn