AT the April meeting, after the singing of Jerusalem, President, Jill, introduced Christine Parsons who had brought some of the collection of crafts from WI House in Worcester.

The collection was started in 1945 and for a long time was just stored away but it was then decided to start exhibiting it to any WI Branch which requested to see it. Chris showed members many examples of different types of craft such as wood turning, embroidery, gold work, pewter work, sewing, smocking, parchment work, tatting, knitting and crochet. She told members that these days there were new crafts being practised and the WI needed examples of these.

The oldest item was an embroidered bag, made in around 1880/1890. For some of the items Chris could tell who had made them but on some there were no details so she was pleased when one of the members told her that a lovely teddy bear had been made by one of our past members, Frances, who was a great craftswoman but is now sadly no longer with us.

Chris was also wearing a colourful waistcoat and when asked about it she said that her daughter had made it for her and she called it her Easter Waistcoat as she always wears it then as it shows flowers, the sun and a white rabbit in gardening clothes holding a bunch of carrots! The members were then able to look closely at the items and examine them and everyone enjoyed this.

After coffee the Business was dealt with,and the correspondence included a sample of the 2015 calendar and details of this year's Resolution. However, Jill did not go into detail about the Resolution as this will be discussed at the May meeting which will also be the AGM. This meeting will take place on May 6 when there will also be a plant stall. This will be at the United Reformed Church Hall (rear entrance), Worcester Road, Malvern Link at 10.30am (doors open 10am). New members and visitors are always welcome.

For more information please contact Jill Thompson on Malvern 566540.