Oldswinford Townswomen's Guild

Chairman Pauline Roberts welcomed everyone to the meeting on February 23. There were six apologies, one new member and five visitors.

Sadly the chairman had to report the death of one of our long time members, May Sheeran, eight members attended the funeral service. A two minutes silence was held for May.

For the annual lunch we did not have enough ladies on the list and the list was passed around the group to enable members to add their names. Jean Braddock has provisionally organised our annual outing, which will be to Charlecote Park followed by a short stop to Stratford. The minutes of the January meeting were on the notice board. At the AGM in March we hope to get nominations for the committee. Member Dorothy Edwards talked to members asking for members to be co-opted onto the committee for one year, to enable new members to experience the committee meeting with a view to becoming a full member.

Margaret Fennell reported on the current finances of the group. Joyce Coggins reported having correspondence for the guild quiz, which will again be held at Stourbridge Football Club.

Carol Penzer read the minutes of the Federation meeting. Members were reminded about the book stall and bring and buy items.

The speaker for the evening Diane Campbell was introduced with her topic, "My life as a director/producer for BBC and ITV" She informed us that after O levels her family were keen for her to be a teacher, but, in the meantime she did a shorthand/typing course which she thought would be useful.

To fill her time before going to college she saw an advert for secretarial help for a film being made in Somerset; applied and got the job and worked for Tony Richardson, the film was "Tom Jones", did well, moving on becoming an assistant to the continuity girl. Worked for the BBC as an assistant to the produced of the early Dr Who who gave us a very humorous description of the Darlek's equipment. This earl;y programme had many complaints from parents as they frightened children, who hid behind the settee. Moving on, she worked with Michael Bentine, followed by working on a film with Richard Burton playing Winston Churchill, went to 10 Downing Street and into all the relevant important rooms.

Moving then to ITV Tyne Tees television she worked on children's programmes. She became a producer with Matthew Kelly taking 12 year old children to Kenya and Nepal.

The programme received several awards. She finally was made redundant, did teacher training and went full circle to her parents' initial ambitions of her teaching. The speaker was thanked for an interesting informative and humorous talk.

The competition winner was Sheila Hart achieving 93 words. Raffle prizes were won by Bunty Masters and Edna Yeadon.

The next meeting is on March 15 at 7.30pm. Visitors are always welcome.