PRESIDENT Sue Lawson wished everyone a happy new year at the January 5 meeting. Hilary Taylor reported she had received a big thank you from Sure Start for the Christmas gifts sent for local children. Also a letter from Macmillan with thanks for the donation instead of Christmas cards.

Speaker Gary Farmer showed slides and spoke of his job as Park Ranger at Solihull Parks. Sheila, with Claudette second, won the flower of the month competition.

Names were taken for an ad-hoc committee to help organise the Institute's 40th birthday party in March.

The next meeting is on February 2 at St Peter's Church Hall, Crabbs Cross, with a speaker from Craftaways. Everyone welcome.