Oldswinford Townswomen's Guild

Chairman, Pauline Roberts opened the meeting on March 21, welcoming everyone to the AGM.

Joyce Coggins gave a resume of the programme of speakers for the last twelve months and all the other events. The report was approved. The finance report was given by the treasurer Margaret Fennell who was pleased to report and indicate the group was in a good financial position for the coming year. We were reminded we had not had an increase in fees for several years. It was proposed that the financial figures be agreed and accepted and was duly accepted. The current auditor was accepted for the 2017/18 season.

Mrs Fennell was retiring from her post as president and member Anita Gibbs agreed to accept the post of new president for 2017/18. Joyce Coggins agreed as no one had come forward to replace her, to be secretary for one more year. Committee member Dorothy Edwards and presented with the cup. Joyce was handed her medal having been a member now for 25 years.

The speaker for the evening was Alan Pearce. Mr Pearce has for many years been involved collecting charity cash for various charitable organisations. He had been challenged by his stepson and friend, who were enthusiastic cyclists, to attempt to cycle from John O Groats to Lands End, whilst Mr Pearce travelled by local buses, using the pensioners bus pass. The object was to raise as much money as they could on the way. An immediate problem arose, due to Scottish buses not accepting an English pass. He resolved this by contacting the bus company, explained this was for a charity and they very obliging and let him have the appropriate pass. This happened twice and he managed to get the same solution. Whilst in Scotland, Mr Pearce got way ahead of the younger men. Once in England he found English buses did shorter journeys which meant he had long waits changing buses and he soon found himself way behind the younger men.

During his travels he stayed in a variety of hostels. Stopped at several towns, going to rotary meetings he had found out would be having luncheons at convenient times for him. He was made very welcome and they were extremely generous with their donations for the cause.

After reaching Lands End, he had travelled on 56 buses, but, once in England, the younger lads had beaten him.

The speaker was thanked for an interesting and very enjoyable talk, due to his amusing anecdotes about the trip. The members obliged by putting donations in his tin.

Raffle prizes were won by Maureen Whitworth, Yvonne Maddocks, Sheila Hogg and Jean Braddock.

The next open meeting will be on Tuesday May 16 at 7.30pm. New members or visitors will be made welcome. The venue is Oldswinford Primary School.