WE STARTED off our meeting with a minute’s silence for founder member Mrs Harbard who passed away recently.

Our president, Chrissie, then welcomed members to the meeting informing them of forthcoming events.

These included clay pigeon shooting, a mid-week walk, a New Speaker’s Morning, GFWI Annual Council Meeting, arrangements for the baton transfer and a holiday to the Island of Elba.

Linda brought in the scrapbook for members to see the finished result.

A big thank you was said to all who contributed.

Our next ladies’ lunch will be at the Whitminster hotel on Tuesday, February 17.

We have entered a quiz team for the inter-WI competition.

Last time we got through to the second round so fingers crossed for this year.

Our speaker this month was Beryl Gardner who kindly offered to demonstrate the art of basket weaving.

This is one of the few crafts that can’t be done by machine and probably dates back as far as the Stone Age when the first weavings would have used skin.

Beryl chose to use traditional willow but anything that bends can be used.

The willow is soaked first to make it more pliable and small baskets need to be made in one go to prevent the willow from drying out.

Starting with six pieces, Beryl then progressed onto the body of the basket using 24 pieces to make the ‘up-set’.

The next process is ‘whaling’ to make it strong and rigid.

There is no doubt seeing the process that this is an art as well as a craft.

Some of the photos of a bread basket from Thailand were stunning although Beryl did struggle with the language barrier when she asked the manager of the Thai hotel if she could photograph it.

We enjoyed a truly delicious spread from hostesses Margaret and Jeanette.

The competition for an item beginning with the letter I was won by Gill with an inkwell, joint second were Val with a painting of an Iris and Linda with a pair of inkwells.

It was decided to give the flowers to Veronica Herbert.

The next meeting will be on March 12 at 7.30pm in the village hall.

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

New members and visitors are always welcome.