President Doreen Chatwin proudly announced that the WI has now leaped into the 21st century – and has a website.

The president thanked Jan and Chris thanked for their hard work in creating the site.

The president also thanked Margaret Dams for the exquisite Ikebana flower arrangement.

The WI has set up two new groups – an ambling group to take short walks in the area and a lunch club to meet once a month, with the first being at the Old House, starting at noon on Monday, December 2.

All members are very welcome to these events and it is hoped they will become a regular feature.

The treasurer announced the group is still in profit, and hopes the December Christmas pantomime will boost the funds.

The Book Club is still flourishing.

The members have read a broad range of books, and two of the favourites were The Help (also now a film) and The Snow Goose.

There was a reminder of the talk to discuss campaigns to be supported by the WI nationally. Members were also asked to consider whether they want to support both campaigns run by the ACWW. Both will be discussed at future meetings.

Pat Taylor gave a succinct report of the Annual Council Meeting of the Worcestershire Federation, which she recently attended on behalf of Blakedown WI. It was noted that, to commemorate 100 years of the WI, an Olympic style baton will travel through the UK, starting in Anglesey where the first ever WI was created.

It is due in Worcester in September 2014.

Speaker Garth Lowe gave an interesting talk on ‘Offshore Islands of Britain’, accompanied by stunning photos of islands with their birds, flora and fauna.

The evening concluded with members playing charades which involved some very entertaining attempts to describe books and films.

The WI meets every second Wednesday in the month at 7.30pm in the Blakedown parish rooms.

Visitors are always welcome.