Upton St Leonard's WI: Story teller Fiona Eadie and fitness with Trish Tenn and

OUR New Year began with very enthusiastic speaker Trish Tenn encouraging us to use our bodies for balance, fitness and confidence.

She began with three aims, one - to keep awake, two - to gain strength in muscles, three- be inspired to take action.

As we age our bodies lose strength from age 30 years and from 30-80 years we lose 50 per cent of leg strength.

Walking, swimming, cycling are all strength exercises; daily stretching and vigorous housework re-invest our bodies mobility and usefulness.

There is no age limit for exercise and stretching.

Elderly people proved they doubled their leg strength using simple movements.

Our skeletons take seven to 10 years to renew.

Inactivity shrinks muscles, its never too late to get up and get started - use it or lose it is a New Year resolution for us all.

Trish gave us a feel good factor and received a warm round of applause and vote of thanks from Marlene.

Business was brief, as Diane Thomas, new president welcomed everyone.

Thursday, February 18, aromatherapy, £15, in the village hall.

Saturday, March 19, GFWI walk in Upton St Leonard's, £7.

A 'Fashion Show' is planned for Friday, April 8.

County Chairman, Anne Turner, praised the Christmas Concerts and all who supported them; after all the turmoil they were certainly the 'best yet', with our own WI choir excelling themselves.

Our Christmas meeting was a fun evening with story teller Fiona Eadie from Horsley telling four different stories setting us in the festive season.

We all enjoyed nibbles, mulled wine and soft drinks served by the committee and a good raffle to send us on our way.