AT our Christmas meeting Margaret Shearer, the new president, took the chair and Pat Keen assisted. Members were greeted with a glass of sherry and sat down to tables decorated with seasonal posies. Gill Wilson arranged the lovely pedestal. Pat Neale was welcomed as a visitor and a short business meeting took place.

Ann Ballard spoke about "The evening with Jenny Bond" at Kidderminster, which several of our members had attended. Her talk was mostly about Jenny's travels abroad with the Royal Family and was followed by a question time. The whole evening had been fascinating and very much enjoyed.

Then, with Mary Cross on the piano the gaiety of the afternoon commenced, with members in full voice singing The Holly and the Ivy. The rendering made louder after our aperitif! Mary Gray organised a beetle drive, which proved noisy and hilarious! The joint winners were Zena Edwards and Diane Bidwell with Anne Randall (our treasurer) gaining the booby prize.

We all enjoyed a jolly tea with mince pies and chocolate cake. Three lucky people won the Christmas raffle prizes and the afternoon finished with more carols and wishing each other a very Merry Christmas.

Our first meeting of 2003 will be on Tuesday, January 14, when we have a talk on the history of Kays and Company. Do come and join us.