Members sat spellbound for part of September’s meeting! As our President, Lynne Reading, pointed out – this was probably a first! How did this come about? The subject of our speaker, Chloe Lees, was ‘Story Telling’. Chloe, a member of a group called the ‘Midnight Story Tellers’, told us several. Her repertoire is from myths, legends and folk tales throughout the world. She said that story tellers listen to each other and even steal each others’ ideas! She also adapts them according to the audience. The stories she told us ranged from one about the creation of the world, to a temple in Japan, to a story about monks, to one from modern life. Her final one was about women in Cairo in the old days. It was a great shame that the inclement weather conditions meant that fewer members had been able to attend.

Some lively discussion followed the talk and we also learnt that Chloe considers herself to be an entertainer, rather than an artiste, appearing at, for example, Cheltenham Festival. She will also tell stories at private functions. The President thanked her for such an entertaining evening. Following refreshments, the business part of the evening began with the reading of the Minutes of the previous meeting. Many events and activities were discussed. Following the success of the craft afternoon on 2nd September, another was arranged for Tuesday 23rd September, to be held at Sheila Gibbs’s, at 2pm. Efforts would be concentrated on knitting for the shoe boxes. It was decided, due to the adverse weather, to postpone a visit to Hill Close Gardens until the spring. Members are invited to Inkberrow WI’s meeting on 1st October, where Derek Clarke will speak on back-to-back houses and there will be a produce auction. Ten members indicated they would like to attend.

Details of the craft workshop to be run by Shirley and Monica – on willow weaving and ribbon weaving to take place on 15th October – were confirmed. The Group meeting, also on 15th October, will be held at South Redditch Sports Centre. Mr David Wallis will speak on ‘How much do you know about Redditch?’ The competition is a poem ‘Why I am in the WI’.

Our Produce Show is on 11th November. A dearth of damsons has meant that for ‘damson and apple jelly’, read ‘blackberry and apple jelly’. The President is expecting lots of entries for all the classes. The AGM will also take place that evening – a Committee will be needed! Christmas Crafts: Following last year’s very successful evening, Jean Harper has again arranged for us to visit Anna Bryan’s workshop in Hanbury. She will be demonstrating Christmas floral decorations – on 25th November at 7.30pm.

The Christmas meeting will be held on Tuesday 9th December, at home, i.e. the Village Hall. It’s on track and Lynne has received some good suggestions. There will be a hot meal with a Christmassy theme and it will cost £10 per person, including guests. Washers up have been booked! Members were reminded that shoe boxes would be appreciated – to be brought to November’s meeting. Sheelagh Keen has knitted a variety of things for them. Any spare garments, toys etc., can be sent in separate bags to be added to other boxes at the collecting centre.

The winners of the Children’s Book Competition, judged by Chloe Lees our speaker, were: 1st Vera Tatlow; 2nd Greta Hughes and 3rd Mary Peers. Chloe thought all the books entered were amazing!

Finally, the next meeting will take place on Tuesday 14th October when the speaker will be Mr Paul McGuire and his subject: ‘My Life as a Butlin’s Redcoat’. The competition is: A Tacky holiday photograph.