CAINSCROSS WI met on a rather soggy early November evening for their AGM.

Nevertheless the hall was cosy and Pam Elliott’s sunny table flower arrangement of yellow French marigolds and purple snapdragons soon cheered us up.

Apologies were received from June Bendall, Patsy Williams, Tina Hewgill and Mandy Sutton.

Recent correspondence was discussed and then we moved on to the AGM.

Last year’s minutes were read and the Treasurer’s Financial Statement was proposed by Dot Brunning and seconded by Margaret Adams.

President, Doreen Tucker, read her review of the last year and thanked all of those on the committee for their hard work and continued support.

The Officers agreed to stay the same for the forthcoming year and we welcomed Kate Parrot to join us on the Committee.

This was proposed by Margaret Adams and seconded by Val Dalby.

With business concluded, we welcomed Mr Austin Perkins who took us on a lovely ‘armchair’ tour of some Royal Gardens.

These included Windsor Great Park and the Savill Gardens in Richmond, Hampton Court Palace and Kew Gardens in London.

We then travelled to Scotland for Balmoral and the Isle of Wight for Osborne House to name but a few.

It was great to sit back on a dreary evening and look at slides of some beautiful gardens and to make notes on where we hope to visit as soon as possible.

Mr Perkins was a good clear speaker and a pleasure to entertain.

We concluded with tea and some lovely homemade biscuits baked by Dot Brunning and the calling of the raffle.

Mr Perkins judged the monthly competition for a Festive Table Arrangement as:-

First - Mary Jarrett

Second- Margaret Adams

Third - Val Dalby

Our next meeting will fall on Tuesday, December 1, which will take place as usual in St Matthew’s Church Hall, Cainscross.

This will be our Christmas Party Social, which will start around 7pm, and a reservation will be needed for this occasion.

Contact Mary on 01453 762812 for more details.

Our first meeting of 2016 falls on Tuesday, January 5, and will be a social evening and a chance to chat or maybe continue with any sewing or craft projects you may have underway.

New members or visitors will be most welcome for the start of the new year’s varied programme.