Our November meeting, at which we welcomed two visitors, sounded as if it could be dull but it took an unusual step and surprised all of us. Jill Giddy, our president took us through two business sessions very quickly and efficiently. She reported that our quiz team had come second in the group quiz with 88 points out of 110 and then went on to outline the arrangements for our Christmas party next month suggesting it should have a ‘red’ theme. Barbara Smith would investigate venues for our post Christmas meal to be held in January. Jill then went on to the AGM. Our treasurer Barbara Smith, reported that the membership had remained the same but the loss in the year had halved since 2009. The committee was re-elected en bloc, with Jill Giddy as president. The annual competition cup was won jointly by Dorothy Gibbs and Barbara Smith and the evenings competition for a cuddly toy was also shared by Alison Kendall and Jill Giddy in first place, Barbara Smith and Linda Ellis in second and Chris Bradley third, the raffle was won by Jan Gillard.

The hands-on topic of the evening was ‘knitted teddy bears’. One of our members, Muriel Greensmith, showed us several bears she had made which she gives to Rose Woolf who is the knitting co-ordinator for Evesham & District Pensioners Association to help with this charities work. Muriel then started us knitting. In almost complete silence at first we concentrated on what was for some of us an almost forgotten craft but we quickly found that old skills were still there, though few of us even got up to the bears knees (having started at the feet). The time flew by and several members resolved to keep knitting during the winter. Rosemary Gyles thanked Muriel for a very unusual and enjoyable evening.

Our next meeting, the Christmas party, will be held at the village hall on Wednesday December 8 at 7.30pm. Further details from Barbara Smith on 01386 584371.