THE first meeting of 2018 for Cheriton Fitzpaine Women’s Institute was well-attended with five visitors. Despite the very cold, blustery conditions, we really appreciated our warm, well-insulated Parish Hall.

The speaker was Paula Steer, who with her son, Lewis, runs a wool business founded and based at Twig Farm on the edge of Dartmoor in Chudleigh.

Paula related her circuitous route from accountancy to shepherdess and entrepreneur, with great zest and humour. She hit on the idea of using wool from their Greyface Dartmoor Sheep (usually only found in rug wool), combined with wool from their Blue Faced Leicesters, which meant it could be used as Aran.

Paula and her son were invited to exhibit at the British Design Centre in London, and from this came a request from the BBC to allow “Countryfile” to visit the farm.

Since then, Paula and Lewis have appeared on several documentaries, and won awards. She is also involved in helping Michael Morpurgo with his Farms for City Children, and knits poppies for the Royal British Legion in memory of her grandfather, who flew in the RAF during World War Two.

Maureen Evershed Martin thanked Paula for her interesting and amusing talk and, over tea, some members were able to buy wool and other items.

During the business meeting, we discussed the year’s programme, including how to celebrate our 80th birthday as a WI. We decided we will probably go out for a “posh” afternoon tea.

We had all studied the five resolutions suggested by other WI’s and voted according to our consciences.

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, February 21, at 2.15pm when Rev. Kingsley Cross will tell us something of his journey from farmer to vicar. Visitors are welcome.

Mary Nunn