The members held their monthly meeting at Stourbridge Institute on January 20 chaired by John Knight, who welcomed members to the meeting. He said the committee wished to thank everybody who had helped with the various functions and events during the past year.

The president Eric Southall addressed the meeting, wished everyone a Happy New Year. The president said he was pleased to see so many mem - bers attending despite the inclem - ent weather. He also said even though the weather was so poor there was still a number of jobs which he listed that could be carried out in the garden. The guild secre - tary Liz Hathway then asked for vol - unteers to help with the setting up of the room for the Annual General Meeting in February. John Knight introduced Ken Gilkes who had come to give a talk entitled Odes of life and laughter. This was a cross between Pam Ayres and Cyril Fletcher offering a humorous even - ing full of laughter and rhyme, and true to the title Ken had everyone in stitches with his very cleverly writ - ten poems on every possible subject that he had encountered on a daily basis and a fascinating dialogue of what prompted the various rhymes.

John then thanked him for a very entertaining talk, which everyone had thoroughly enjoyed and the members then showed their appre - ciation in the usual manner. There was no monthly competition this month. The next meeting will be held on February 17 which will be the AGM. The meeting is the third Monday of each month at The Stourbridge Institute at 7 for 7.30p.m, when all visitors are wel - come. For further details phone 01562 720219