President Eileen Williams welcomed Dr Gillian White, former curator of Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire, to our April meeting.

She had travelled from Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire and the title of her talk was Elizabethan textiles.

This fairly insignificant title belied the interesting content of Dr White's talk with slides. She explained the magnificence and opulence of wall hangings commissioned by kings, queens and the wealthy of the land. She also talked about carpets and fabrics for clothes, with examples taken from a portrait of Queen Elizabeth I.

Dr White's knowledge for the subject was apparent and we listened with fascination and interest to the history of Elizabethan textiles delivered in an articulate and enthusiastic manner.

Business matters included a report from our delegate to the spring council meeting and it was reported that Julia Roberts had been elected as the next chairman of the Worcestershire Federation of Women's Institutes.

Members agreed that our president and secretary should represent the branch at the Worcestershire federation's 90th birthday celebration dinner which is to be held at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern.

Tickets were available for the theatre trip to see Titanic, a visit to gardens at Astley Burf near Stourport-on-Severn - about which an article had appeared in April's WI Life - and to Harvington Hall near Kidderminster.

Our institute would be organising its own walks along the Worcestershire Way and members were asked to ensure they read the Worcestershire WI News and make sure they put their names down for any of the activities in which they were interested.

We had decided to enter the lifestyle challenge so members were asked to put forward ideas on nutrition, fitness and well-being to be included in the entry.

The fund-raising event would be a dance on May 16, at which members and friends would be welcome.

Resolutions will be discussed at the May meeting on May 7.

CLAIRE HASLAM