ELLEN Gwynne welcomed members to the August meeting and apologies were received.

Angela Pulford gave a resume of the arrangements for the joint Elgar and Worcester baton celebrations to be held at the Guildhall, Worcester on September 12. It was hoped that as many members as possible would pop into the event and support the centenary of the formation of the WI.

Sue Jones received a beautiful basket of flowers prepared by Angela Jones to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary and a birthday posy was presented to Peggy Johnson. Following a vote of thanks to Angela Jones for all her efforts in producing the birthday posies for everyone each month, she too received a birthday posy.

Dates and times were given of the various regular group activities, and an invitation was given to all members from Pat Handley (who runs our art group) to pop in and see her art exhibition during the week of September 6 to September 14.

Ellen then introduced Professor Maggie Andrews who gave some amusing and at times poignant tales of the roles of Women in the First World War based on her research from local council archives and local WI records. Members were intrigued to learn that bread could not be sold until 12 hours after being baked to deter the enjoyment and over consumption of freshly baked bread, and that at one time because of the sugar shortage a large percentage of salt, which was readily available from Droitwich, was used as a sugar substitute in jam making!

Denise Fereday won the monthly competition with a gramophone used in the trenches during the First World War.

September 2 – Writing of Wills and The Power of Attorney.