OUR April meeting opened on a very sad note.

Maureen Tempest, a staunch member of our WI has suddenly died.

We were all shocked and upset by this news.

Maureen has been a member since its inception, she was on the committee for a great number of years and was also our President.

Maureen was very clever with all kinds of craft, helping us win the Rose Bowl a few years ago at the Stroud Show, every competition we have entered Maureen made beautiful items, she recently helped with the banner for the WI Centenary.

For a number of years Maureen made the birthday flowers for our WI members; this to name just a few of her many accomplishments.

She will be sorely missed.

We held a minute silence to remember Maureen.

President Joan welcomed all the ladies present, with an especially warm welcome for a new lady visitor.

Various notices were read out and were then put on display.

Jenny will represent our WI at the Buckingham Palace garden party.

The Centenary baton ceremony was a great success, and afterwards we enjoyed a lovely tea at Randwick Village Hall.

Thanks to the ladies of Randwick WI.

Stroud Show competition is ongoing; five bags, each with a different craft are needed.

There are two choices for our August outing, names to be placed on lists.

Joan then introduced our Speaker Mr John Parsons, his talk “Around the World, with photographs on post cards all set to Music”.

The many varied postcards around the world featured, unusual homes, bridges, the Bristol balloon Fiesta, Autumn leaves, but the favourite seemed to be Ladies Day hats at Ascot, this caused great hilarity with many amusing hats.

We all thoroughly enjoyed these unusual post cards with excellent photography and music.

A vote of thanks was given by June.

We then enjoyed our coffee/tea and a chat.

We meet the second Wednesday in the month at 10.30am (except August) at the Congregational Church Hall, Stroud.

Please come and meet us all, you will be made very welcome.