November is the time for the Annual General Meeting and Show at Ebrington WI so general matters were dealt with swiftly. We were asked to support the Coffee Morning for World Kindness Day and the local Christmas Post service over the weekend of 9/10 December.

It was confirmed that the celebration of the Institute’s 80th anniversary would take place at the February 2018 meeting.

We then moved on to the AGM with reports from the officers. Thanks to prudent management finances were satisfactory, helped by a donation from the proceeds of three slide shows, “Ebrington from the Past”, which were very popular with village residents.

We had enjoyed a wide range of outings, events and meeting speakers throughout the year. Visits had been made to the V & A in London, the BBC in Bristol and Sally Daniel’s Chocolate Factory at Wooton Wawen. Speakers’ subjects included bespoke millinery, a Tanzanian bakery project and high street histories.

The various groups – singing, sewing and walking had met throughout the year.

Members mounted a wonderful WW2 exhibition at Ebrington School involving the children in a variety of hands-on activities. We provided refreshments for a variety of village events, the panto, cycle rides, Farm Sunday, the Great British Get Together and the Community Lunches. We continue to support our community through our own activities and in partnership with other village organisations.

Two committee members stood down with the remainder willing to serve for another year. Following nominations Chrissie Halls will continue as President.

Whilst the AGM had been taking place the two show judges had been tasting and conferring. The show classes ranged from the traditional – jam, chutney and cake to the more unusual, ‘a darned item’. One class always included is to compose a motto for the cover of the programme and events booklet for the coming year and the theme was something to encourage new members who might know little of what to expect of WI.

Before the announcement of the competition results sisters Jean and Geri Stanley Worton read out a poignant poem about their mother Glenys, who sadly died in August. Glenys was a long-standing member of Ebrington WI and had been highly regarded by all the members.

This year the Wheatcroft Cup was awarded to the winner of the apple pie class in honour of Glynis Stanley, with Jean Rowell taking first place. The Luckett Cup for most points across the classes was closely contested, going to Ruth Davies by the margin of one point. The judges, Geri Stanley and Margot Warton were warmly thanked for their hard work and each presented with the traditional Ebrington WI ‘thank you’ of a large box of local fruit and vegetables.

Ebrington WI meets on the second Thursday of each month, excluding August and welcomes visitors and new members. Why not come for a ‘taster’, you will receive a warm welcome.