The meeting in The Poplars was held in a relaxed and happy atmosphere.

We were looking forward to several imminent parish events and our participation in them; the Ascension Day service in St Mary de Wyche church followed by a fish supper (shared with our guests from Ombersley and Hartlebury parishes) and the annual gathering of church fellowships in the diocese. As well as our hosting of a songs of praise service in St Mary de Wyche church, the church fete, and the parish open gardens weekend in July.

After all that anticipation, Angela brought us down to earth with a session of armchair exercises - we probably did not present too elegant a spectacle, but we comforted ourselves with the hope that it was doing us good.

The annual gathering of fellowships was held on May 18 and our party of nine from Upton Warren and our own fellowships set out for Wichenford on what promised to be a pleasant day's outing. First stop was at Broomfields of Holt for a healthy lunch and a speedy tour of their nurseries and their shop, which was stacked with fresh vegetables, fruit and home-made cakes.

We resumed our journey through verdant meadows and orchards to the village of Wichenford - its ancient church of St Laurence ready to welcome us and about 50 other ladies from fellowships in the diocese for an impressive yet simple service of praise and worship led by the curate, with an address given by the vicar.

It was then a short step to the village hall for tea - lovely sandwiches and an apparently endless supply of delicious cakes.

As can be imagined, the following business meeting was conducted at a leisurely pace, with representatives from all the fellowships present reporting on their activities of the past year.

Thanks were expressed to the ladies of Wichenford, who had given us such a happy afternoon, and we at Wychbold have the honour of hosting next year's gathering.

This month we shall be at Angela's for the garden meeting, the date Thursday, June 30, at 7pm - please note this is the fifth Thursday of the month, not our usual fourth.

We hope you will all be there as it is our final meeting of our year's programme.