After a break in August, we met in September for our annual Harvest Supper. Unfortunately we were slightly depleted in numbers due to quite a few members being on holiday. The President went through a few items of business before we could settle down to supper.

Since the last meeting in July, a group of us had spent an afternoon enjoying a delicious cream tea at the Hampton Farm Shop. The proceeds of a raffle held during the afternoon had raised just over £50 towards the Denman College Appeal. Some members had visited Toddington WI for the bi-monthly lunch, which had made a nice change from the usual pub visit. In August, a small group had been to the Hop Pocket, near Bishop’s Frome, for morning coffee, followed by a browse around the retail outlets, then lunch and more browsing.

Members were reminded to put their names down for the Annual Council at Malvern in October, and cream tea at Revills Farm Shop later in September.

A team would be taking part in the Group Skittles competition in October.

The President concluded the business by wishing a Happy Birthday to those members with birthdays during the month. In lieu of the usual posy, they were each given one of the table decorations of dried flowers to take home.

Members were reminded of the AGM next month, which will be followed by a visit from a beauty therapist, and possibly a reflexologist.

It was then time to get down to the serious business of enjoying the supper prepared by the committee and volunteers. This was accompanied by an array of delicious puddings made for the monthly competition. The winner was chosen by members voting, placing a silver coin by the pudding of their choice. The coins were counted and the winner was declared to be Jean Wright, with her beautifully decorated Pavlova. The money raised from the voting will add to our Denman Appeal total, as will that raised by sales of handicrafts made by Jill Robinson.

Our next meeting on 13 October will be our AGM, when we will welcome a WI Advisor to guide us through the business. If you would like to join us at one of our meetings, do come along. We are always pleased to see visitors and you will be made very welcome. We meet in Hampton Guide and Scout Community Hall on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm. For further information, please contact our Secretary, Joyce Davey on 01386 443755.

LIZ RODWAY