The members held their monthly meeting at Stourbridge Institute on March 17 which was chaired by John Knight. He opened the meeting by welcoming both existing and new members, and said that the speaker for the night was Robert Barber.

President Eric Southall addressed the meeting and said he was pleased to see this months show was very well represented with lots of lovely produce, he also thanked Pat Hassall for organising the Annual Presentation Supper at Churchill & Blakedown Golf Club, which was enjoyed by members. Eric then announced that he was delighted to present our Guild secretary Liz Hathway with a Life Honorary Membership which she so thoroughly deserved after her long and dedicated service to the Guild.

Jim Baker social secretary thanked everyone for their congratulations and card from the Guild following their recent 50th Wedding Anniversary. Two members John & Gay Greathead also thanked the Guild for their card following their Silver Wedding Anniversary.

John Knight also added his congratulations to Liz and thanked her for her tireless service. He then introduced Robert Barber.

Mr Barber had come along to deliver a talk entitled “Sugar beet history”

which truly was a concise story of the introduction of sugar production in Kidderminster, and how forward thinking people realised that sugar cane, the traditional source of supply, would not always be available, bringing about the experimentation and perfection of sugar extraction from sugar beet, which ultimately proved to be very efficient and profitable, in fact nothing was wasted, from the soil washed from the beet which was returned to the fields, to the waste pulp, which was made into cattle feed.

John Knight thanked Mr Barber for a fascinating talk, and said most people knew of the factory, but never realised what actually happened from sugar beet to finished product.

The first prize winners in the monthly show; 3 - Onions J Boswell; 3- Leeks H Barnett; 3 - Daffodils A Greathead; 3 - Miniature Daffodils F Partridge; 1 - Bowl of Spring Bulbs M Hodgin; 1 - Foliage Pot Plant J Baker; 1 - Victoria sandwich U Langley; 1 - Jar Marmalade M Hodgin; 1 - Bakewell Tart U Langley.

John Knight closed the meeting, and hoped everyone had enjoyed the evening.

The next meeting will be held on April 21, which will be a talk by Ken Marshall entitled “Drink my garden”.

Ken is a keen wine exhibitor & judge. The night promises to be both humorous & enjoyable with an opportunity to sample his produce.

We meet on the third Monday of each month at The Stourbridge Institute at 7 for 7.30pm. For further details phone 01384 828654.