BECAUSE this was the occasion of the Annual General Meeting and Resolutions, the President introduced Ms Kelly Bladder, Florist, who taught members how to create a buttonhole using a rose and ivy leaves. The President then opened the meeting with the singing Jerusalem, she welcomed guest, Patience Broad, WI Advisor. Apologies given, minutes and financial statement read, cards were then presented to ‘birthday girls’. Members reminded to collected their Petunia and Geranium to grow ready for the September competition.

The Annual Meeting opened, adoption of minutes, accounts and annual reports accepted on-bloc, the President Mary Wright agreed to hold the President role for a final year, the committee members in place, we moved on.

Patience Broad outlined workshops and training available for members to attend at WI House. She explained the importance of having a named member who would archive the Queenhill WI history and keep up to date. She brought to our attention a training session, “Connect for the Future”, encouraging the use of Gmail, Facebook and Twitter, getting the WI on line.

This year we have two shortlisted resolutions, to be put to a vote by the delegate to the 2016 Annual Meeting in Brighton. “Avoid food waste, address food poverty” and “Appropriate care in hospitals for people with dementia.” Careful arguments were put forward by Sharon, for members’ discussion, who then voted for, against, or asked for discretion to be given to the delegate.

The meeting closed and we enjoyed an afternoon tea prepared by members.

Queenhill WI meet the second Thursday in the month.

The next meeting is at St Peters’ Garden Centre, Thursday June 9.