President Sheila O'Shaughnessy welcomed members to the April meeting, which was well attended despite pouring rain and 'Who shot Phil Mitchell?' on television.

She announced that the Primrose Hospice Choir evening was a great success and raised £1,150, as well as being a very enjoyable evening.

Thanks went to everyone who had made it such a success.

The group evening had been a very good event and Wythall are to host the group quiz on May 16.

A group walk around Alvechurch is set for July 11.

Nominations for group co-ordinator were requested.

Items from the county newsletter included details of the millennium projects in Perdiswell and the WFWI raffle.

A trip to Coughton Court was suggested and details for a trip to Tysley Waste Disposal Unit were finalised.

"Save a baby's life" resuscitation classes have started.

The speaker for the evening was Julia Scott on A Victorian walled garden.

She described how she came to buy a house in the centre of Worcester with a garden which had become totally overgrown.

She decided to research its history and found the original plans on record, with the Victorian pathways being revealed as she cleared the garden.

She has tried to build up the garden true to its origins and always gardens organically, specialising in growing herbs, often using them in teas and cooking.

She had discovered a recipe for a compost accelerator made from five herbs and she gave tips on how to build a good compost.

Her garden has been used by the BBC and featured in articles with the Royal Horticultural Society. She opens the garden occasionally as part of the National Gardens Scheme.

Members were able to buy recipe books and packets of herbs.