THE speaker at Cheriton Fitzpaine WI’s August meeting was Jane Williams, who lives in Ide.

Until recently, she and her husband ran a sewing machine business in Exeter, but since retirement, Jane has returned to her original career of millinery.

Surrounded by beautiful model hats of every type and hue, Jane explained that she had been born in Uganda, but studied millinery at Chelsea College.

After marrying her husband, who was a Unicef Civil Engineer, she travelled all over the world, often making hats for Ambassador’s wives.

We were shown examples of the different wooden blocks (beautifully turned), and the materials used for the hats. Members also had a hilarious time trying on the different models.

The competition, judged by Terry Meakin, was for a geranium plant grown from plugs provided earlier in the year. The June and Ena Cup was awarded to Jean Spary.

We are now preparing for the Parish Hall market on Saturday, September 8 from 10am to 12 noon when we are running the cake stall.

Mary Nunn