THE death of Dr Elizabeth Mitchell, our secretary, at the beginning of August after a short illness represented a great loss to this institute. She had served terms as president and as secretary since its inception and will be greatly missed.

At the September meeting Dot Waldron, president, made a moving tribute to Elizabeth and led a short period of silent remembrance. It was particularly poignant to recall the occasion of our July meeting when we had all met in Elizabeth's lovely garden for our mad hatter's tea party and where she was the ever-welcoming hostess.

After this, business matters were dealt with including confirmation that Beryl Smith will take on the office of secretary; Beryl was thanked and applauded.

The guest speaker was Garth Lowe who gave a talk illustrated with slides on badgers and bats, both creatures of the night whose lives and habitats he had lovingly observed. Pat Kay gave a vote of thanks.

The competition for a favourite animal figurine was won by Peggy Mears, with Gladys Lewis as runner-up. The county skittles competition is under way again and our first fixture will be at Pinvin against Kingston-with-Dormston.

Next Monday we are hosting the Corbett Group Autumn Meeting in Wychbold Village Hall at 2pm.

We welcome visitors at our meetings which are held on the second Monday of the month in the village hall starting at 2pm. Who knows, they might like us enough to join as members one day.