MALVERN LINK TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD

THIS was our first meeting with a new Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and two new Committee members. Three visitors were welcomed. Correspondence - card received from Sylvia Barratt thanking everyone for the flowers and the M&S vouchers. The music group had a very nice reception at the Octagon, and their next booking is at Storer Court. Edna was thanked for getting all the speakers for the coming year. Outings - members were reminded about the Ice Show at the Forum, Hampton Court Gardens, Herefordshire, in May, Ross-on-Wye town walk in June, Symonds Yat in July, and the Ludlow Food Festival in September. Sales Table - plants, edibles, books, etc. for next month.

It was suggested that perhaps we could have new name tags for members to be hung on a ribbon around the neck instead of cardboard labels pinned to a garment. This is being investigated and if adopted the ribbon would be purple/green - TG colours. It was also suggested that perhaps we could have a stall at Priory Park during Malvern Civic Week to raise funds. This too is being investigated. Finally it was suggested that perhaps at the end of every business meeting we could have about five minutes for members to have their say about the Guild, and put forward any ideas they might have.

Our speaker this month was Linda Griffin with her talk entitled A Stroll with Sabrina. Sabrina was the old alternative name for the River Severn. The source of the river is at Plynlimon in Wales, is about 220 miles long, and finally flows into the Severn estuary in Bristol. It flows through Powys in Wales, Shropshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire. Shrewsbury is the first big town, and the river completely encircles it. Ironbridge comes next, with its famous bridge, then Bridgnorth with its funicular railway. In Worcester the river formed a fortification together with the city wall. Bevere with its locks and weir helped navigation of the river. Worcester Royal Infirmary is near the river, with a nurses' home next door. Children at one time were taught to swim in the river, and watermen who worked on the river had their own watermen's chapel on the river. Many activities have taken place, school outings took place on the river and pleasure steamers became very popular. There have been various types of boats, including coracles. At one time there were tollhouses for people to pay a toll, and it took 28 years for pedestrians to stop having to pay a toll. The river is tidal and at times it floods, and it has also frozen. There is a footbridge over the river in Worcester which is called Sabrina Bridge. Further down the river there is of course the Severn Bore. This can reach 13 miles an hour and 10'-15' in height. This was an interesting and informative talk about a river that I am sure we have all seen but did not necessarily know everything about.

Our Speaker next month will be Ruth Lowe on Mary Quant - her life & career through the 1960s-1980s.

The Guild meets on the third Thursday of the month at 10.15am at Clarence Park Village hall. Visitors are always welcome.

EDNA O'CONNOR