Pershore

TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD: The many members who came to the December meeting were congratulated by the chairman for braving the appalling weather. A short silence was observed in memory of two former members, Mrs E Turier and Mrs R James. A letter of thanks from Mrs J Vale was read and Mrs J Cummins was welcomed back after an absence due to ill-health. A new member, Mrs Grove, was introduced. Mrs Rubbra reported that at the recent Remembrance Service in the Abbey, Mrs Bateman laid a wreath on behalf of the Guild and Mrs Etheridge read out the Roll of Honour. An outing to Malvern Theatre has been booked for February 21, to see the Alan Ayckbourn play 'Relatively Speaking', starring Susan Hampshire. Tickets cost £18 with a free coach if 45 seats are sold. The chairman was pleased to introduce Sister Sue Baker and Mrs Smith, from the Willows Stroke Unit, Evesham and then presented Sister Baker with a cheque for £1,000, the result of fund raising this year. Sister Baker thanked everyone for this generous donation and said it was hoped to use it towards the provision of a garden for their patients, which she was sure would be much appreciated. The skittles team were congratulated on their recent close match against the St John's team, when they lost by just 5 points (161-156). At future monthly games members will be asked to pay £1.50 to play. The Literary Appreciation Group will next meet on January 8, when they will discuss 'Amsterdam', by Ian McEwan. After coffee, Mr J Massingham gave a talk on 'Lifting the curtain on Diplomatic Life', and as well as being enlightening, it was most entertaining to hear so many humorous tales of life abroad in the Diplomatic Corps. Mrs J Cummins gave the vote of thanks. The sales table raised £50. The next meeting will be on January 9, in Wulstan Hall at 10am, when there will be sherry and mince pies. Members will be entertained by both the choir and the drama group and there will be a talk about crafts. This will be a longer meeting than usual.