WE had a temporary change of venue in January, as our president Jennifer Williams hosted our meeting in The Pear Tree Inn at Smite. The meeting was well attended and we were particularly pleased to welcome several new members to our group. We then enjoyed a tasty supper of jacket potatoes with a choice of fillings, followed by tea or coffee.

The business of the evening followed, with Jennifer reminding us to keep submitting recipes for our cookbook and then advising us of the many outings and workshops available to members (including dragon boat racing!) as well as our own forthcoming events. Arrangements for the month included a walk near to Hanbury Hall, a coffee morning in Droitwich and a skittles match against SPArkles WI. We were particularly looking forward to our 99th birthday meal at The Robin Hood Inn on 25 January, and were invited to put forward ideas for speakers and possible outings to celebrate our centenary year in 2018.

Details were then given of the six proposed resolutions on the shortlist for 2017, all very worthy causes, and we voted on our preference for the resolution to go forward to the Annual Meeting in Liverpool in June of this year.

Business over, members were able to avail themselves of the opportunity to buy goods from a well-stocked Sales Table, before voting on the competition for the month of a modern collectable item. A wide variety of objects were on display, but the outstanding winner was Sheila Preston with her beautiful bronze model of a reclining seal.

Our next meeting on Monday 13 February, 7.30pm in Salwarpe Village Hall, will include some ‘General Exercise’, courtesy of our speaker Kerry Clarke, and the competition will be for ‘Something Orange’. New members and guests are most welcome to join us.

BARBARA JAUNCEY