Members were delighted to welcome a familiar face (and voice!) to their November meeting when the speaker was Pershore’s Town Crier, Robert Speight. Robert gave a most entertaining talk about the history of the post, which dates back to Roman and Greek times when criers had the responsibility of delivering news to the populace who were in the main illiterate, and his personal experiences. Most towns continued to have criers through the centuries until the mid 1800’s when more people could read. Pershore had been without a crier since 1905, until 2008 when the Town Crier position was reinstated by the Town Council and Robert was appointed. Since then he has played a visible and well-regarded role at most of the local events and he is probably one of the most photographed people in Pershore. We were particularly interested in examining and admiring his costume which had been researched, designed and exquisitely made by a local textiles student, Jenny Lander, who now works on costumes for television programmes. The bright blue coat is made of woollen cloth, with much gold braid and is extremely heavy – for most of us it was difficult enough for us to pick it up, let alone wear it! Ann Elliott gave the vote of thanks.

President Audrey Whitehouse asked members to stand for a minute’s silence in memory of former member Joan Didio who had recently passed away just short of her 101st birthday.

Gill Granger thanked members for their continued efforts with their craft work and said that she had taken 42 scarves, 72 hats and 64 pairs of mittens to the Shoebox warehouse. The next craft meeting will be on November 27 at the White Horse.

Members are looking forward to celebrating the Institute’s 98th birthday with Dinner at the Berkeley on November 25, and we shall be meeting for coffee at Twyford Garden Centre on December 4. Jeannette Dowling asked us to support the Mayor’s coffee morning at the Town Hall on December 6 in aid of POPETS.

Sheila Allies reported that she had recently been on a Pyrography course at Denman College and she was full of praise for the course, the college and especially the food!

Pam Rayner said that we had won our last skittles match and she took names for a social skittles evening

and for our next match on December 1.

The competition for the number ’10’ was won by Maureen Speight with a collection of 10 badges, and the Craft Cup for an item made within the last year was won by Jean Rogers with a ribbon-decorated cushion.

The next meeting will be held at the Wulstan Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday, December 11 and it will be our Christmas Party! Members are asked to bring a plate of finger food to share. The competition will be for the number ’11’. Visitors will be very welcome.