JANET took the meeting in April as Ann was unable to attend and members were shown the newly finished table-cloth bearing the image of the Powick bridge and mill, very distinctly contrasting on a yellow background.

The AGM of the WI at the Royal Albert Hall on June 4 will be screened at Jenny’s house and members are asked to make it our celebration of the 100 years with a bring and share lunch.

Other events organised are a garden party for the Severn group in Hanley Swan on August 19 and a picnic organised by Malvern Wells and Wyche WI on September 16. The Severn Group spring meeting is on April 21 at Earls Croome and includes a talk Cider with Rosie.

Members thoroughly enjoyed the musical evening called Showtime and singing the musicals of yesteryear. Tony Breedon came with his Yamaha keyboard and members were given booklets containing the words. Tony spoke of the Broadway showstoppers that were originally shown as reviews and then Rogers and Hammerstein came along and brought the music to life with storylines.

The first was Oklahoma; which after 15 years and 2,000 performances came and took London by storm, followed by Brigadoon and South Pacific. Eventually existing books were used for storylines and Pygmalion became My Fair Lady written by Learner and Lowe in the 1950s. Around 1956 The Sound of Music reached the stage and Tony had a wrinkly version of My Favourite Things for members to sing.

When many of these films were made the female parts were often dubbed if the actress could not sing.It was in the 1960s that Lionel Bart took Oliver to Broadway but it was really from the golden age of American musicals that members remember most of the tunes.

The meal out this month will be at The Old Bush in Callow End on April 22 when members meet at 12.15pm at The Orchard Club to sort out lifts.

The meeting on May 13 will be the resolutions discussion and the AGM.