CHAIRWOMAN Helen Greenway welcomed members to the July meeting, especially Marion Smith who had been unable to attend guild for a while due to illness.

Secretary Margaret Brooks and treasurer Rosemary Bell gave details of the previous month’s activities.

The federation report was given by Joyce Knotts, who announced that the West Midlands team had come second in the National General Knowledge quiz. There will be an arts and crafts exhibition at next year’s annual general meeting and guilds were invited to submit their entries. Reminders were given about the forthcoming trip to Hereford and the harvest lunch in Wollaston village hall. Hawne guild won the inter-guild quiz, with Norton coming third.

The report of the National AGM held in Cardiff was given by Margaret Tew. The motion for lowering the voting age was voted against, but the one for enforcing the existing legislation for female genital mutilation was carried.

The main speaker was Matthew Collins, a travel writer and single dad, who gave a humourous talk on his travels with his two young sons.

Next year’s AGM will be held in Glasgow, and a 5-day break has been suggested by federation. There were a selection of books on the sales table, and the ramblers have taken shorter walks in the hot weather.

Refreshments were served, with scones, cream and jam, and strawberries.

Margaret Bache and Edna Yeadon were thanked for their provision.

Humourous poems were read by Margaret Tew, Helen Greenway and Rosemary Bell. The raffle prize was won by Joyce Knotts. The next meeting will be held on 18 August, when the speaker will be Ian Bott.