Although membership is now only 20, 17 members were present at the April meeting. Helen Coombey-Jones was the birthday girl this month and was suitably congratulated.

Secretary Mary Kipping gave a very interesting account of the WFWI annual meeting, making us feel sorry that more had not been able to attend. Life seems very busy at the moment with gardening ever urgent, meetings for arrangements for the May craft fair occurring at regular intervals, a very enjoyable group meeting attended at Leigh and Bransford and various other local and county events looming.

It was agreed that we use some cash from our deposit account to purchase a gazebo to use on our cake and bric-a-brac stall at the village horticultural show and other events, such as the garden meeting in June. Maybe it could be a small source of income for members to hire for parties and family gatherings.

It was also agreed that in future, the Millennium Plate will be awarded at our annual meeting to the member with the most points in the monthly competitions during the year. The winner will still be awarded a gift voucher.

Garth Lowe had been patiently waiting in the wings to take us on a guided tour, via slides and commentary, of the Knapp and Papermill Nature Reserve. After being bought by Mr and Mrs Doncaster it passed into the hands of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust Garth was warden for some years and his love of, and interest in, the reserve was evident from the variety of flora and fauna shown on the slides.

We all learnt a lot about the lifestyles of butterflies, dormice, badgers, frogspawn and toothwort to name just a few.

The competition for three spring flowers was won by Annette Smith, Margaret Lloyd James and Sheila Craker. It was a most enjoyable way to spend a spring evening. We are always pleased to welcome visitors, so please come along and join us.

KATE KING