IN the absence of the president, the meeting was chaired by the vice president.

We nearly had no speaker, as the person booked had to cancel at very short notice, but sterling work by the secretary found a superb talk and demonstration on country smocks and smocking by Angela Thompson.

Angela took us through the history of the craft, from medieval times, through working smocks and cow gowns, to the Sunday smock and the use of this form of embroidery to the present day. We compared the 19th century garment to the modern Turkish import and members were enthralled.

After a warm vote of thanks, tea was enjoyed. Business was then taken. After the usual correspondence there was serious consideration of the future of the institute after our secretary of eight years takes a well-earned retirement.

If no replacement can be found there can be no future, and this must be resolved by the November meeting. Members went off to consider the future.

The next meeting on October 5 will be on collage and creative embroidery.