IN THE absence of the President who was enjoying a lovely holiday in Portugal, Maureen in her role as Vice President took over and did an excellent job.

It was great to see a good turn out of members and for once not in our coats as the weather was warm. Birthday flowers were presented to Madaline who was the only birthday girl for this month.

Unfortunately due to lack of support and some people dropping out, the planned outing to Blenheim Palace had to be cancelled which was a shame.

Maureen reported that the WI had made £245 at the recent Plant Sale organized by Jill and Robert Hutchinson at their home and this would go to the Air Ambulance, a most worthy cause.

Members all agreed that the lunch booked at The Beacon at Haresfield had gone well and no complaints. Maureen announced that members could choose between either lunch or an afternoon tea at The Farmers Table on May 19, and the eventual choice was for afternoon tea.

Numbers were finalised by Jill for visits to Cheltenham Synagogue, Work of a Criminal Barrister and County Picnic at Highnam Court.

Looking at the Gloucestershire News, we were pleased to see some photographs of our decorated Trailer, and the group at Ebley Mills depicting ‘A Baton’s Tale’.

Also a editorial on our Lent Lunch, complete with picture.

The Village Fair will take place on July 11 and members were reminded that volunteers were required to provide tea that afternoon.

Let’s hope that it is a lovely sunny day.

Madeline covered as much as she was able to of the 2015 Resolution, Failing to care – assessment of need in long term care.

This was of great interest to all of us and many members had first hand experience of this.

As it is such a complex topic, it was decided that Chris Phillips who will be Leonard Stanley’s WI delegate at the Centenary Annual Meeting, at the Albert Hall on June 4 will report back with her thoughts.

After turning our chairs around we then enjoyed a demonstration of planting hanging baskets etc by Tess Wheeler who showed us the correct way of doing this by the use of a multi purpose compost, together with fertiliser granules and moisture control pellets which will keep our baskets and tubs going all through the summer looking their best.

There is no need to buy expensive liners and Tess showed us how to use up our empty compost bags by turning them inside out and cutting to shape to fit the baskets, then piercing holes to let the water out and cutting little slits to place plants around the sides.

She also advocated the use of a plastic saucer in the bottom and a small flower put in the centre to hold water and help stop baskets drying out in the hot sun.

We were also shown how to plant flowers in a pouch, which are ideal to hang on walls or where it is very windy.

We were assured that in a few weeks, plants would thicken out and we would have eye catching displays.

Members were reminded not to put baskets and tubs out yet in case there are frosts and should leave if possible until the last week in June when this danger has passed.

Tess also reminded us that terracotta pots are frost free and if using, you should line bottom with stones and also raise on legs, she also suggested that we could put a plastic pot inside.

Afterwards we had a question and answer session, and were able to buy plants to take home and start planting up.

Leonard Stanley will be looking great this summer, with an abundance of hanging baskets, pouches and tubs.

Competition for this month was – my favourite vase and it was interesting to see and hear the history and memories behind members choices.

Our next meeting will be on Monday, June 8 at 7.30pm in the village hall and will be ‘Riding around Britain on horseback’ by William Reddaway, something I don’t think any of us will be doing in the near future.

The competition will be an object starting with the letter B.

Visitors are always given a warm welcome – why not come and join us?