THE two members who were lucky enough to attend the Centenary Garden Party at The Palace reported they had a wonderful day.

They were amongst 8,000 WI members from all over the country and saw the Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Alexandra, and the Duchess of Gloucester, as well as enjoying an excellent tea. Four members watched the live screening of the National AGM direct from the Albert Hall at Bromyard Theatre. The Queen attended, accompanied by The Princess Royal, and were presented with flowers by WI grand-daughters.

The County Picnic will be in the garden at Lower Hope, Ullingswick on August 16, and the Ledbury Group meeting is on September 16 at the Community Centre, Ledbury.

Carol Dowding, the speaker for the evening, then gave an amusing talk on Gardening with my Husband. They moved in 2004 to Brimfield, to a larger garden which they gradually altered planting lot of herbaceous plants. After much hard work and mishaps they were encouraged to enter the Shropshire Star Garden of the Year competition in 2009, and were thrilled to be placed third. One of the judges was Roy Lancaster and another was Margaret Thrower (Percy Thrower’s daughter).

The July meeting is on Thursday, July 2 (a week early) and will be a visit to Madresfield Court. New members are most welcome and for further details please telephone 01531 640029.