Leonard Stanley WI with ‘A Russian Odyssey'

AFTER our summer break, a nice number of members turned up for our September meeting and were welcomed by Maureen.

Quite a few pretty birthday posies were given out, for both August and September.

We have received so many knitted poppies from WI members and villagers and thanks were given to all the many knitters and members who were helping decorate the two crosses that will be erected by the side of the war memorial in Leonard Stanley.

The excess poppies not required have been given to the church for them to use in their remembrance of the First World War.

Business was covered and a letter had been sent to the Stagecoach company at Gloucester HQ expressing the WI’s concern about there no longer being a bus route from the Stanleys to Stroud via Paganhill, Stroud College, Leisure Centre, Tesco and most importantly Beeches Green Surgery.

This effects not only the elderly who have walking difficulties but young people as well.

Our WI are giving a helping hand with the MacMillan Coffee morning in the village hall on September 29, from 10am to 12noon.

Admission £3 per person for coffee/tea and cake, plus numerous stalls.

It is hoped that this will be well supported as usual.

A brief update was given on the toilet refurbishment in the village hall due at end of October and the flourishing Cinema Club, held the third Saturday morning of the month and the Coffee morning Club held first Saturday morning.

Both in aid of the village hall refurbishment fund.

Maryl gave her usual detailed financial report and Jill talked about the Christmas boxes and their contents.

Members were asked to bring in suitable items every month to go in the boxes.

Our lunch for this month is booked for the Anchor at Epney on September 26.

We were then entertained by an excellent talk and presentation by Jill and Robert Hutchings on ‘A Russian Odyssey' which covered their river boat cruise from St Petersburgh to Moscow taken in September of last year.

Although some of us had been on holiday ourselves here, we learnt many more things from Jill who made the places they visited come alive, aided by photographs taken by their friend Heather.

We saw photographs showing the wonders of palaces, churches etc which seemed to come alive with Jill’s knowledge. We wished we had had a teacher like Jill when we were at school, who is not only informative but amusing as well.

After covering quite an area on their travels, she finished up at Moscow and the Kremlin.

Thank you Jill for a wonderful talk.

After the raffle and refreshments, some members had brought in photographs of their favourite holidays which we all enjoyed hearing and looking at.

Next meeting is October 8, at 2.15pm when there will be a hands on craft session with Margaret and Madelaine, plu s a quiz.

Chris Phillips

Secretary