Joyce Davey, our President, welcomed 29 members and 1 visitor to our meeting on November 11 and opened with the good news that Hampton had won the final of the Group Skittles Tournament on October 29. She produced the trophy for members to see and the team members were congratulated on their success. There was more good news when Betty Groves announced that a total of 58 shoeboxes had been filled for this year's Operation Christmas Child appeal. There is no time to rest on our laurels though, we must now start knitting ready for next year.

The recent outing to Webb's Garden Centre had been enjoyable, with plenty of opportunity to chat over coffee and lunch and maybe purchase some Christmas presents too. On November 30, Joyce Davey is hosting tea and mince pies at her home and all members are invited. We are also looking forward to our lunch at Evesham Golf Club in February. Some events planned for January have had to be cancelled in the past couple of years, so we are hoping the February weather will be more clement.

Following the business part of the meeting Tony Caldwell and David Brougham presented us with A Little Bit of Fun, a very entertaining mix of song and the spoken word. Tony said that with their performances over the years he and David had raised money in support of Leukemia Research (more than one million pounds) and the RNLI. David plays the guitar and the tin whistle and Tony the bodhran and a 'squeeze box' to accompany their songs and members were encouraged to join in the choruses of songs they knew, such as Streets of London and Fields of Barley. Tony read a poem from the time of the second World War and mentioned Rob Wilton who had been on the wireless at that time and became famous for his rendition of 'The day war broke out my missus said to me ....', which was recognised by some members. He also mentioned another broadcaster named Billy Williams, who had come to England in 1901 from Australia and became known as 'the man in the velvet suit'. He talked about how Christmas was celebrated back then, when there might have been real candles on the Christmas tree (no health and safety issues in those days), a real fire in the hearth and families gathered round the piano, making their own entertainment.

Joan Harrell thanked Tony and David on behalf of members for a most entertaining performance. They were then asked to judge this month's competition for six home-made ginger biscuits and declared Liz Rodway to be the winner.

Our next meeting will be our Christmas Social, which will take place at 7.30 pm on December 9 at Hampton Scout and Guide Community Hall. New members and visitors will be most welcome to join us at any of our meetings.