THE meeting opened as usual with the singing of Jerusalem, accompanied by a new tape in a lower key - well received by members.

A couple of walks are being arranged for June and August for the Stepping Out programme. Members will be helping with refreshments at Alvechurch St George's Day teas.

Boards were on display with details of forthcoming outings. The luncheon club will be dining at Redditch College.

In future, bookmarks will be given in recognition of 100 per cent attendance at meetings.

Speaker for the evening was Joan Johnson, a member of Wythall WI and keen water diviner.

She began by giving a potted history of water divining, known as dowsing. The art can be traced back to ancient Greece and Egypt.

Banned by early Christians as magic, it has since had a revival. Soldiers fighting in the desert used dowsing to find water.

It is still used today to help find unexploded shells and detect new sources of gas and oil.

On a personal note, it can help discover allergies.

A variety of instruments can be used, from hazel twigs to fashioned thin metal. Joan prefers a pendant.

After demonstrating how to use it, members were given a pendant - a Polo on a string! Joan had prepared experiments to try, proving not everyone had the skill.

The next meeting will discuss the resolutions to be put forward at the national AGM.