MEMBERS and visitors were welcomed to the July meeting by the president.

The business included an invitation to Hanley Castle WI’s open meeting in September, the Severn Group Quiz in October and several notices regarding activities organised by the Worcestershire Federation. Marion Hawkes of Hanley Castle had been the link delegate at the National AGM in June and her excellent report of the meeting was read out. It was noted that the resolution regarding organ transplant has been passed with almost 100% of delegates in favour.

Tessa Holloway, speaker for the evening, had brought a large display of Georgian and Victorian workboxes with her. They were truly beautiful, some being of wood and some of papier mache, all most attractively decorated. Inside there were sewing tools, often crafted in ivory, in silk-lined compartments, and maybe even a writing slope. It was easy to see why Mrs Holloway became interested in collecting and restoring examples of such fine workmanship. During tea members had the opportunity to look more closely at the boxes and their contents. Coral Male thanked Mrs Holloway on the behalf of members.

The competition for the contents of a holiday workbox was won by Shirley Lowe and Elisabeth Dempsey, with much more portable examples.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, August 12 at 7.30pm in the village hall when Pat Llewelyn will be talking about being a community nurse in Uganda with VSO. Visitors are always welcome to join. To find out more about the activities, please contact Sue Strang on 01684 592408 or janetclemas@gmail.com.