PRESIDENT Doreen Dyson opened the meeting on Thursday, April 2.

Members sang Jerusalem and Doreen, as usual read a very short poem which made everyone laugh. After the normal business was conducted including details of events and outings for members, Doreen also announced that one member of each WI could attend the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on June 2. The Worcester Federation is providing coach transport to the amazing event celebrating the WI Centenary. Some members are also attending a centenary celebration lunch at which Michael Portillo will be a speaker. All this really makes it worth being a WI member. There is so much to do of interest and with great company.

The speaker for the evening was Peter Riley who gave an excellent talk and slide show about the parks and gardens of the National Trust. How the styles developed from medieval times to the 21st Century. Members were amazed to learn that as long ago as 3000 BC the Egyptians cultivated land both for decoration and for food. The Romans created gardens in England growing fruit trees, grapes and vegetables such as leeks, onions, turnips, lettuce and kale. This legacy was carried on in monasteries and could be seen at Mount Grace Priory in North Yorkshire where the medieval Carsthusian monks grew herbs.

15th Century Manor Houses, a Castle such as Cotehele in Cornwall, also had dovecotes and fishponds which provided food as well as materials for pillows and mattresses etc. Parklands like Malvern Chase provided venison and gardens became more sophisticated to show off their owners wealth, with orangery’s, follies, statues and fountains. In the present day we now have cottage gardens, wildlife areas as well open parkland on estates continuing the designer’s legacy.

Members learnt that it costs the National Trust 10 million pounds a year to maintain their gardens even with the use of 70,000 volunteers. Joan Smith thanked Mr Riley for his stimulating talk and members had refreshments.

The next meeting, the AGM will be on Thursday, May 4, a week later than usual due to the village hall being used as a Polling Station for the General Election. Visitors are invited to join in an open meeting on Thursday, June 4 at 7.30pm. Roy Darnell of Callow End will talk about People and Policies/Callow End and Powick. The entry for this is £3.50 including refreshments. Contact Doreen on 01905 830231 for further information.