The March meeting was held in St Mary de Wyche Church when curate, the Rev. Pat Barford, was guest speaker.

She told members about her recent stay in New Zealand and of the many Anglican churches which has been built in South Island by 19th Century colonists, most of simple design and often built of wood with colourful tin roofs, and nearly all in settings of natural beauty. Some had windows framing views of magnificent mountains and in one instance of a glacier.

She also came across Maori churches, which were of simple construction but with distinctive decorative symbols. One of her most cherished experiences was when she was invited to be part of the congregation of a baptism service on the beach at Timaru, the sole candidate - young girl - being totally immersed in waters which had been blessed by the officiating priest, the Archdeacon of Timaru. Margaret Bradford thanked Pat for this opportunity of sharing in some of the delights of New Zealand's lovely South Island.