A MEETING of the Hot Peppers WI was held on June 25.

Cathy Bester opened the meeting by welcoming members and guests. Ann Canham was our local delegate at the AGM in Leeds and her report together with items of correspondence were available for everyone to read. Orders for the 2015 calendars were able to be taken. Sue Mynard, in Nolene's absence, gave the financial report, which was eagerly awaiting the funds from the forthcoming events. Cathy Badham stressed the urge for help in providing cakes and manning the stall at the forthcoming Jazz Festival (the more you put in - the more you get out)

Now to the main topic for the evening, Ann Harker was to talk on the craft of chair seating. Ann had started this when her children had started school, which was quite some time ago. She described the various types of cane work and the style of chairs which each was applicable to. Ann used to gather the rushes from the banks of the Avon by rather cautiously pulling them with the aid of a hook. She would then take them home, wash them, cut them and then leave them to dry naturally. It was amusing to hear of the different escapades she had endured and it brought to an end a very interesting talk.

After a chat and cuppa, the meeting was closed.

The next meeting will be onWednesday, July 23 in the Church Rooms at 7.30pm. It will be a craft and crochet evening, so do come along, you are sure to learn something.

The Jazz Festival was a great success. Lovely cakes were sold and the children's tombola was enjoyed by many. The main raffle drew a lot of people. The first prize was a meal for two, kindly donated by Flava from Upton, a bottle of wine from the White Lion, fruit cake, basket of fruit, other bottles and a large umbrella. The lucky tickets were drawn out by Clair from the Anchor and most were won by Uptonians.

The next event is the Blues Festival on Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20, when all are welcome to visit for more cakes and beverages in the marquee.