Wordsley M Townswomen's Guild

The August meeting was opened bychairman of the day Wendy Lloyd who welcomed members and visitors. The minutes of the previous meeting, prepared by secretary, Liz Moseley, was signed and Rosemary Skidmore, treasurer, gave brief details of the accounts to date.

The Federation report included the Harvest Lunch at Wollaston Village Hall on September 28, and the Christmas Workshop on Saturday, November 19 at the Ruskin Centre 10-4pm. The Annual Carol Service is being organised.

The Guild Lunch Club will meet on September 5 at The Lawnswood pub, Wordsley

12 for 12.30pm.The Christmas Lunch outing on December 5 will take place at The Lodge, Wellington Road, Dudley. Deposit required.

A coffee morning is arranged for September 26 at the home of Pat Caddick starting 10.30am.

Barbara Taylor has received tickets for the Saturday matinee of Annie at Brierley Hill Civic Hall October 15 and enquired about Carousel with Cradley Heath Amateur Operatic Society Saturday matinee November 12.

As Stan Boardman will now be able to entertain us at the December meeting, the proposed coffee morning to sell Comic Relief goods will have to be put back to possibly January. Precise arrangements yet to be made.

A day out at Boundary Mills is being arranged for November 3, coach to be booked.

Wendy then introduced Pat Green who gave a very interesting talk entitled ‘Early History of the Black Country’ The first settlers mainly inhabited the coastal areas but our history really began with the Romans. In 55BC Julius Caeser sent 98 ships and 20,000 soldiers in the first instance followed by 50,000 soldiers together with a regiment of cavalry. Roman camps were situated in Rochester, Gloucester, Bath and, locally, Smestow Brook. Their direct rule ended in the 5th century overtaken by Celtic and Ancient Britons. Pat spoke about the early Kings, including the King Offa of Mercia, (the Midlands) and Ecgberht who, in the year 829, became the first King of England then the Normans, Plantagenets, Houses of Lancaster and York, the Tudors, ending with the Hanoverians and the Industrial Revolution. The various Kings and Queens of England were brought into the talk during these times and their exploits and achievements some of which changed the face of England during their reigns.

Liz Hubbard gave the vote of thanks and Wendy gave details of the next meeting which will be on September 19,when there will be a harvest table sale and a quiz.

All meetings are held at Wordsley Green Community Centre, the third Monday each month 10am. Visitors are very welcome to any of the meetings £2.50 which includes refreshments.

For further information ring 01384 288219.