Cheerful chairman Betty Long greeted 68 members and visitors at the September meeting, held at the Bromsgrove Golf Centre.

Mary Rutter told us that all the speakers for 2009 are now booked, and Joan English told us of the outing in November to Abbey Cum Hir, in north Wales, by coach, which she has arranged for us.

The registrar, Mary Clifford, said that we now have a full membership of 90, which is a very happy position for any club to be in. The secretary, Brenda Graham, announced that although there would not be an ordinary meeting in January, our winter dinner would be held on Wednesday, January 14, in the golf centre restaurant.

The speaker, William Farmer, was introduced. He is an auctioneer who kept us regaled by his stories about the people he meets and the items he auctions.

Betty Long thanked him, especially after he had the patience to answer lots of questions from the ladies.