Members are having a tablecloth made with a Powyke monogram to place over the table at meetings, Ann Crowther from Kempsey attends the craft group held in Callow End and came to the committee meeting and agreed to do the work.

Members hope it will be ready for the 100th WI anniversary celebrations.

The guided town walk this year will be around Droitwich on June 23 and the finals of the WI singing contest will be held at Birmingham Town Hall on March 14.

The Fish and Chip jumpers and blankets have been sent for despatch to Africa and members have registered for the Moon Miles organised by the university so members must confirm when they are active from March.

Barbie had a big birthday so was pleased to receive a basket of flowers from everyone.

The speaker for February was Keith Parry who spoke on Telecare.

It is an emergency alarm system that can be worn on a chord around the neck or alternatively a wristband. If pressed it will be connected to a control centre in Kidderminster and they will immediately know who has pressed the alarm. They can communicate with the person as to what the problem is and can find the name, address and medical records and contact details. There are also systems to identify bogus callers and as another service, the fire brigade will install smoke alarms. Anyone who lives alone should subscribe to this system in case of emergency especially if they have a fall. Home and garden seem to be the most dangerous places.

Keith used to work as a housing officer for the council and in the 60s and 70s they built sheltered housing with attendant wardens but now you have to pay for gated retirement bungalows so hopefully this is a way to keep everyone in their own home and safe.

Everyone is getting to the age where they have to think of the future and for many of Telecare could be the answer. Telecare is non-profit making and residents of housing associations get it for free.

The meal out this month will be at The Red Lion in Powick on Wednesday February 25 and members meet at the pub at 12.30pm.

The next meeting is on March 11 at 7pm at the Orchard Club.