Mary Rollason presided over the April 1 meeting. The skittles team had won both matches in March and the team for the April match was confirmed. Final arrangements were made for the outing to Somerset and names were taken for a coach trip to Gloucestershire in June. After the business, Keith Newnham - of Stourport Horticultural Society, gave a history of his role in the society followed by an illustrated tour of several well-known gardens. He was thanked by Mary Rollason. The lucky raffle winners were Olive Lea and Pat Schofield. Elizabeth Osborne was the winner of the competition for a bloom from your garden. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 6, when resolutions for the national meeting will be debated. Members are invited to display examples of their crafts and hobbies, as well as supporting a bring and buy table. The competition will be for a good joke.

Lickey WI also hosted the Hillside group meeting last Tuesday when representatives from all five group WI's reported on their activities during the previous six months. The first speaker was WI executive member Eleanor Barrett, who gave a thought-provoking talk on the Abbeyfields Home at Hagley. Following this, more than 60 WI members enjoyed another informative and very entertaining account by Maggie Cotton of her career as a percussionist with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. A cheese and wine supper was served.