THE annual meeting was held in October and it was on that occasion that members had to say goodbye to outgoing president and founder member Alison Warren.

Alison has been one of the stalwarts of Ipsley since its beginning and has been a committee member for much of the time, holding the office of president for three terms.

She was also group co-ordinator for the Redditch group for eight years. She has now retired to Weston-Super-Mare but will be returning when possible to see her family and many friends throughout the Redditch area.

Members were saddened to learn of the death of another founder member, Joan Bradbury.

In the near future, Ipsley - together with other Redditch WIs - will become part of the Saltways Group and has received an invitation to the Saltways Group meeting.

Final arrangements were made for the coach trip to London and it was reported the jumper collection day at the home of Jackie Gregory and the craft evening had been successful.

The president, secretary and treasurer gave reports of the many activities and events in the past year and Doreen Jeeves conducted the formal business of the evening. Judith Scott was elected president and Lesley Ford and Janet Cottrill will act as secretaries.

The monthly competition for homemade sweets was won by Grace Motteram and the Flower of the Month by Lesley Ford with an abutilon.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, November 10, at Woodfield Middle School at 7.30pm when Robin Hill will speak on A Lifetime Through the Lens.