Cainscross WI with Dr David Cramp's slideshow ‘Swallows, Swifts, and Martins’

WE WELCOMED most members back to our March meeting, with only apologies from Doreen Tucker and Jean Horsfall.

Linda had arranged some lovely deep pink and white hellebores for us as our table flowers for which we thanked her.

After the usual reading of minutes and treasurer’s report, we discussed some correspondence which included a copy of the letter to Head Office that the Weaver’s Group had produced on our behalf.

Mr David Cramp kindly kept his promise to talk to us, despite having a very early start to the day travelling from Winchcombe for a meeting in London.

He arrived very promptly and was a good clear speaker.

His talk and slideshow on ‘Swallows, Swifts, and Martins’ was very informative, and we all learnt an awful lot about the differences between the three types of bird.

I was particularly interested to hear all about Swifts, as of course we are so near to Swift’s Hill in the Slad Valley.

Swifts are the most aerial of all birds and arrive in the UK in the last week of April or early May and stay only long enough to breed.

In late July or early August they migrate through France and Spain to spend the winter in Africa, south of the Sahara.

After David’s talk we enjoyed refreshments and drew the raffle.

The results for competition of a model or picture of a bird were announced as:-

First - Mary Jarrett

Second - Margaret Adams

Third - Dot Brunning

Our next meeting will fall on the first Tuesday after Easter, April 3, and this will be our Member’s Evening, which as usual will include cheese and wine and a beetle drive.

Booking will be necessary for this meeting which will take place at St Matthew’s Church Hall, Cainscross at 7.15pm.

After this, our meeting on Tuesday, May 1, will be the Resolutions Meeting, followed by our fun mini-auction, which has gained quite a reputation as the place to bag a bargain or two!

If any more details are needed on any of the above, please call 01453 762812.