A LOVELY sunny morning for our July meeting which was well attended and birthday flowers were presented by June to Sue and Jenny with the usual rendering of Happy Birthday.

Apologies from Freda.

Business was kept to a minimum but members were informed that it was essential that they always put an emergency contact telephone number when booking events/trips.

In case an emergency arose at a normal monthly meeting, members were asked to put contact numbers on a form which would be kept by the Secretary.

Those going on visit to Berkeley Castle on August 20, were asked to be at the top car park in the Leisure Centre at 1.00pm when transport will be sorted.

Cream teas had been booked for 4.00p.m.

June reminded members that she would be standing down at the AGM in November as President and that unless someone came forward, there was a strong possibility that Stroud Shambles WI would be no longer.

She asked that they give this some thought.

Entry for Stroud Country Show was discussed but unfortunately due to other commitments, we will be giving it a miss this year.

Business then made way for our three lady speakers from the Waterways Museum at Gloucester Docks who entertained us so well with the history of life on narrow boats on the canals for women at that time.

Gill Ruiz and her ladies were dressed in the colourful working clothes of that era and gave us a good insight into how women coped.

It was difficult to believe the small area that was used for cooking, sleeping etc for the whole family and how the women provided a hot meal in such a cramped area.

Not only did she look after the cooking and cleaning etc, with small babies and children having to be tied to the boat in case they slipped and drowned, she had to work as well, steering the boat whilst the man of the family walked the towpaths leading the horse.

In between this, she had to do the shopping, make or cut down clothes using the rags to make rag rugs on which the family slept, but also made lace.

In those days, children did not have a childhood because as soon as they were old enough, they had to work.

This was an extremely interesting talk and demonstration and afterwards we marvelled at the handiwork and designs that these ladies of that time had created.

An excellent talk by Gill and her two ladies who certainly looked the part.

They are at the Waterways Museum on the last Sunday of every month and I am sure that some of us, with grandchildren in tow will be visiting in the school holidays.

There is no meeting in August, as the Summer outing to Berkeley Castle is in its place.

Our next meeting is on September 10 at 10.30 am at Stroud Congregational Hall, Bedford Street and will be a demonstration of cake decorations for special occasions by Sugar Craft of Stonehouse.

New members and visitors are very welcome - please come along.