It’s shoebox time again and at the November meeting of Pershore WI Gill Granger thanked the knitters for producing 23 blankets, 117 hats, 300 scarves and a pair of mittens, a splendid effort!

President Sheila Allies welcomed members and visitors to the AGM meeting and had birthday greetings for Joan Didio, Gill Granger and Elizabeth Kearney.

A board was circulated for members to sign up for the post-Christmas lunch to be held on January 27 at Evesham Golf Club. Diana Staines will be our delegate at the national AGM at Liverpool in June and her’s was the name was drawn to be forwarded for the County Denman College Bursary Draw, we wish her luck! Daphne Glover volunteered to do Pershore’s reading at the Group Carol Service at Naunton Beauchamp on December 7.

It was agreed to charge visitors to our monthly meetings an entry fee of £1.50 which would include refreshments.

Secretary Helen Roe gave the Annual Report on behalf of the Committee: we had enjoyed another successful year and had welcomed seven new members. Gill gave the treasurer’s report and Sheila thanked committee members, refreshment providers and others who had served in any way over the year. Barbara Wall was retiring from the committee and she was thanked for her many years of service including those as President and Programme Secretary. No vote was required for the new committee, and Sheila was re-elected as President.

Margaret Dufty, who is a dual member with Oakapple WI, is also a member of the County Fundraising Committee and she gave members a very interesting short talk about the work and range of this committee. She encouraged members to take part in some of the county activities which include shopping trips (next year’s destination is Manchester), holidays, tea parties, fashion shows etc. Beth Milsom expressed the thanks of all for a light-hearted AGM.

The results of the competitions (judged by the members) were: (a) an item coloured red: 1st Audrey Whitehouse (a wall hanging), 2nd Margaret Dufty (a woolly hat), 3rd Pam Rayner (a toy fire engine). (b) An article made in the last year for the Craft Cup: 1st Audrey Whitehouse (a quillow), 2nd Sheila Allies (items made from a recycled coffee sack), 3rd Sandra Long (a felted knitted bag).

The next meeting will be held on Thursday December 9 at 7.30pm in the Wulstan Hall when it will be party time with the Eckington Handbell Ringers. Everyone is asked to bring a plate of food to share. The competitions will be for an item coloured green and for a hand made table decoration. Visitors will be most welcome.