GILL opened the meeting informing members of forthcoming events including making a scrapbook for the Tim Poole competition, a New Speaker’s Morning, a walk at Bredon, a Magnificent Marbling Day at WI House, Croquet at Cheltenham Croquet Club and a weekend holiday to the South Coast.

After dealing with NFWI Correspondence and the financial report, Jeanette then gave us the Delegates’ Report from the GFWI.

It was interesting to hear that the first WI in Gloucestershire was formed in Cirencester in 1916 and the Federation was formed in 1919. Back then the annual subscription was just two shillings (10p).

We also learnt how ‘Jerusalem’ came into being.

Mr Leslie was an early friend of WI music-making and he persuaded his friend, Sir Walford Davies, to make a special arrangement of ‘Jerusalem’, the music for which had been composed by Sir Hubert Parry, a relative of a founder member of Highnam WI.

Anyone wishing to find out more about the Federation as we lead up to the centenary of the NFWI should read Sybil Everetts’s book ‘Please stand for Jerusalem.’

We then discussed arrangements for the W.I. Lunch Club.

Our next lunch date will be on Tuesday, April 29 at ‘The Tudor Arms’ in Slimbridge.

The Group supper on Friday, May 23 at Whitminster was the next item for discussion and then it was time for our guest speaker, George Yiend, who entertained us with ‘A Second Shot of Cider.’

During his time in Zimbabwe, George put together a 1¾ hour long performance and he recited three pieces for us from the original 1990s show.

It was highly appropriate that this year marks not only the centenary of the First World War, but also the birth of Laurie Lee and the birth of Dylan Thomas.

We were therefore regaled by three excerpts from ‘Cider with Rosie’, two of which had a war connection, and Thomas’ s ‘A Child’s Christmas in Wales.’

George’s recitations were completely from memory and with accompaniment on the piano from his wife we were in for a real treat.

His renditions were done in such a magical way that you could picture yourself there.

Bronwen Roberts thanked George for his highly enjoyable and amusing talk.

We then enjoyed delicious refreshments provided by Val Ogden and Julie Ryan.

The competition for an item beginning with the letter C was won by Bronwen with a cat’s head, second was Val with a cameo and third was Maureen with a cockerel.

Our next meeting is on Thursday, May 8 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall when we will be discussing the ‘Resolutions’.

The competition will be ‘Something beginning with the letter D.’

New members and visitors are always welcome.