TWO women who came along to give us a talk and demonstration had been friends since the days of pushing prams' in the 60s.

When they both found themselves on their own, they had the bright idea of running a B&B together. They sold their houses and bought a suitable property in Leominster and they carried on a very successful business until they retired.

Along the way, one of the ladies was given a pressed flower craft book and was so enthused by the content that she took up the craft.

She eventually persuaded her friend to take it up and they haven't stopped since. They produce cards, pictures and bookmarks all from the most beautiful delicate flowers which they manage to dry, retaining the colour and sometimes the scent.

Their first cards were put on sale in their B&B and were quickly snapped up, leading to commissions for other items such as pictures. Eventually their goods found their way into gift shops. They have since given up the B&B and bought separate cottages but still carry on their pressed flower craft.

Their talk was very inspiring and I imagine a lot of us may be rooting around in the loft looking for our old flower presses.

At the resolutions meeting in May we voted unanimously in favour of urging the Government to stop the closure of community hospitals.

After a lovely wine and cheese supper we were treated to a brief insight into the life of Pam Ayres and a selection of very humorous poems presented by our own Dorothy Capper.

The following weekend, 33 of us went on a theatre trip to London and I kept thinking that Pam Ayres could have written a wonderful poem about our adventures as she makes some very witty and accurate observations on life to which we can all relate.

To say that our trip was eventful would be an understatement! From our driver, who was not familiar with his route, to a rather obnoxious tour guide who was about as much use as a chocolate teapot, to the microphone which didn't work, to the appalling weather conditions all weekend, to the traffic jams and the road closures, the accident we had when a car turned into the front of the coach - you might ask yourself what sort of nightmare trip was this?

However, even having bolted down our dinner in record time on the Saturday evening because we were short of time, I can tell you it was all worth it when we sank down in our seats in the theatre to watch our chosen show.

One group went to see Mama Mia, the second group, The Sound of Music, and the third group, Billy Elliot, and we were all ecstatic afterwards about the show we had chosen.

Sunday morning saw the rain still steadily pouring down and the prospect of Oxford Street for three hours seemed a bit daunting but I for one really enjoyed myself.

Our journey home was just as fraught, with driver and guide having trouble with directions and to cap it all the CD player broke down in the middle of a selection of songs from Mama Mia.

But we ladies of the WI are not be beaten and we rose to the occasion with a rendition of Jerusalem closely followed by a selection of songs from the shows that we had seen!

So if there are any Pam Ayres fans out there, don't forget she is at the Swan in August for which we have already booked our seats - and maybe she will inspire one of our members to pen a poem - we certainly plenty of material.

JEANETTE RIDDEX