The President welcomed 35 members and guests to the October meeting. She reported that the fashion show held the previous month had been a great success and complemented all who had taken part.

Next month we look forward to a Christmas supper at the local Star Inn and the same week a lunch at Hillers farm shop, where wheelchair access will make it easier for member Margaret Whatcott.

Resolutions slips were circulated and members were requested to tick their preferred choice ready to be sent to NFWI in January.

Arrangements for travel were given for the visit to Coventry on 13th where a tour of the Cathedrals has been a pre-booked. A theatre visit to the Everyman Theatre was proposed for January.

The WI monthly walk is being arranged by Judith for November 18 and will begin at Dumbleton village and will be a circular walk ending with lunch at the local Stores.

Marjy then asked members for views on a possible “Film Club” – an idea put forward by Christine Shaw – proposing that a monthly showing of a popular film could be held at the village hall during the winter months.

A film rights licence would have to be obtained, the funding of which could be made by providing a supper at the same time. Guests of members could also be invited. A large proportion of members were enthusiastic that this go ahead once a trial run had been made to check the picture quality etc.

A new booklet about “Ashton Village” has been produced by John Dodge and is now on sale for £2 and available at the Church. It contains information and attractive drawings of the interesting buildings in the village.

The speaker for the evening was Rosalind-Marie Fallon who practices the Bowen Technique at Bidford on Avon. Many members were intrigued by this topic and had not heard of this interesting therapy before.

Introduced by Tom Ambrose Bowen, an Australian, who discovered the benefits of this very gentle manipulation and massage as a treatment of the whole body. Rosalind explained that this stimulated the blood flow and generated healing warmth to a painful area, thus encouraging the bodies own healing powers. It is suitable for all ages and as a parallel treatment to orthodox medical care. Muscular damage and conditions such as `frozen shoulder` and sciatica can be greatly helped. Two volunteers offered to experience this gentle technique and Rosalind gave them a taste of her treatment. Both ladies experienced the healing `warm` sensation and concluded that they enjoyed the massage. It is likely that more than one treatment to treat long-term problems would be necessary, but she explained that sometimes just one session proved very successful.

After answering many questions, she was thanked by Marian Nelson and everyone agreed this had been a very interesting talk.

The next meeting will be our Christmas supper at the Star Inn on December 2.

JEN CREESE