TWENTY-ONE ladies gathered together at Salwarpe Village Hall for the July meeting on a sweltering evening to hear our speaker, Mrs ES Noble talk about Kings, Queens and Mistresses and were welcomed by the president Margaret Donnelly.

The business for the evening was brisk. Ann Brazier told us about her visit to Denman College where she did a public speaking course.

Morag Ford described the day's visit to Birmingham's new Bull Ring to which members of sub-committees had been invited. Photographs of helmeted and wellingtoned ladies had appeared in the Birmingham Post the following day.

Judith Cusson had circulated a list of book suggestions for the forthcoming book group season in September to which members had been asked to add their comments.

It is hoped that a walking group will set off on their first walk from The Firs public house, Dunhampstetad in September.

On completion of business Mrs Noble gave an informative and amusing talk on the intricate love lives of 1,000 years of English Kings. However she did finish at George V because, as she put it, she did not want to end up in the tower herself!

Margaret Ward won the competition.