EARLS CROOME WI
Weren't we lucky! After having to hold our June garden meetings indoors for the past two years we actually had a fine and pleasant evening this time. We were in the lovely garden of member Maureen Watkins at the Old School in the village.

If our ladies respond to the invitations and events mentioned during the business it is going to be a busy summer. Ann Canham of Hanley Castle WI, our link delegate at the national AGM in Liverpool, gave us an account of that meeting. The speakers had been good; the resolution against the closure of local libraries had been passed with an overwhelming majority, but that opposing the establishment of mega farms had not. At a local level there were reports on several events attended by members.

Everyone had brought a contribution to the American supper which followed. It was much enjoyed, as was the chance to just chat in such pleasant surroundings.
In July our speaker was Cherry Greaves on the subject of Haute Couture hats. Cherry had brought with her examples of hats she had made, in a variety of styles and colours. She showed us examples of some of the materials used and explained hoe crowns and brims are blocked to produce the desired shape; how they are then assembled and trimmed. Perhaps we shall now be encouraged to choose a hat, or maybe re-trim one to wear to that special occasion. Betty Hope-stone thanked Cherry on behalf of us all. The competition for a fascinator was won by Janet Clemas, Kath Doig and Sylvia Poutney.

As usual, in the business section there were invitations several neighbouring Wls to attend their events and activities and details of the October Annual Council Meeting at Stourport. There reports of two Federation activities. The day at Croome had been most enjoyable, especially the fashion show. Even just looking around the Court and walking in the park had been a joy on such a lovely warm summer's day. In the County quiz our team had done well, though not well enough to make the final.

Our August meeting will be at 7.30pm in the village hall when Mr Don Freeman will give a talk on Tewkesbury Abbey. We are a friendly group and visitors will always be made welcome. For details of our activities please contact the secretary on 01684 592408.

WI Meeting July 5th 2011.
The meeting was opened by our President, who went through the usual routine of welcoming visitors and congratulating members celebrating birthdays.

Our Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting which were duly agreed and signed. The President discussed the items that were up-coming and the events with which we were concerned e.g. our August walk associated with Queen Hill WI. Our Treasurer gave an account of our finances for this year and it was discussed whether we should change the date of our end of year to match the WI Federations date in May.

Then we were introduced to our speaker, Anna Harrier, who was billed as the Bone Lady. She began by telling us that she was neither a Biologist or a Palaeontologist but an Osteopath and that she had gained her nick name when she moved into the depth of the countryside where there were few towns or doctors' practices. One night when she was having her supper in the local pub a farmer staggered in, in obvious pain, because he had rolled his tractor over. Initially, he refused her help but the next morning as she passed the pub she was told that Phil Price, the farmer, wanted a word with her. Over the next few weeks she freed 27 pinched nerves in his back and her fame as the Bone Lady spread from there, because he told all his mates in the Farmers 'Market and soon she had 19 messages on her answer phone in one day asking for help.

Anna went on to tell many astonishing and amusing tales of her life in the country including the one about the male client who, when asked to disrobe, did so completely as he thought that back massage was a sexual activity but she solved the problem on the second appointment by explaining that she had a cure for his problems in the form of two house bricks. We could have listened to her all night, she was an excellent speaker.

Then, as ever we discussed the meeting over a cup of tea, another splendid WI Meeting.