Leonard Stanley WI: with Molly Walker of Stroud Shambles WI

OUR first meeting in 2017 started with Maureen welcoming everyone and wishing them a Happy New Year.

Quite a few apologies were received, due to ill health and Birthday posies were presented to Peggy, Maude who was celebrating her 80th and to Maureen herself.

Flowers were presented to Jill Hutchings who has been an excellent Secretary of our WI for 21 years and who said it had been a pleasure.

Instead of the usual business, we changed the format and handed over to Molly Walker of Stroud Shambles WI who amongst much laughter and groans from us, attempted to show us how to make small gift boxes.

Poor Molly had to have lots of patience but there were some members who succeeded in making excellent boxes to the shame of others whose lopsided efforts did not do justice to the WI!

Many thanks Molly.

After tea, we went through the business side of things.

The recent visit to Dyrham Park had been much enjoyed and our Christmas Party, based on ‘Tea at the Ritz’ was deemed a huge success and Maureen thanked the committee for all their efforts and brought attention to the photographs in Stroud News & Journal.

The sum of £29.60 had been raised from the raffle which will go towards our contribution for the Denman Apeal.

The Subs tea party hosted by Mary aided by Brenda had been well attended and members who had not paid were reminded that subs were now due.

Maureen went through the Newsletter, making particular reference to the GFWI Annual Council meeting on March 22, when Margaret Cawston will be our Delegate.

The Annual AGM will be on June 7, in Liverpool and Chris will represent us.

Mention was made of Campaigns Day, Creating a Mosaic Garden Paving Stone, Shibori Bead Embroidery and the 2018 GFWI Calendar plus New Speakers Taster Event etc.

Chris as Secretary went through the NFWI 2017 Resolution Selection and will send our vote to GFWI.

She then went through the various notices received and read out a Thank You card from June Dolphin on behalf of the Christmas Box Appeal which we support.

Ann told us she is planning to organize a trip to see The King and I at the Cotswold Playhouse in June, and a visit to the Rocco Gardens sometime in February to see the snowdrops and Mary asked if there were any more expenses to be claimed for the Christmas Tea.

As we had some wine left over, members were asked if anyone would like to buy a bottle.

Lunch this month will be at The Beacon at Haresfield.

The 2017 tea rota had been organized by Margaret, Knit and Natter will be resumed on January 17, at Claire’s home, and the seat in memory of the late Dorothy Clarke is in situ outside the village hall and a plaque will duly be erected.

Next meeting is on February 13, at 2.15pm when Dr Lamb will talk on the history of Stroud Hospital and the work of the League of Friends.

The competition will be for a multi-coloured object.