EIGHTEEN members and one visitor attended the April meeting of ZEAL MONACHORUM. The minutes from the last meeting were read and approved. From matters arising it was decided that members would be attending both the Group meeting at Down St Mary and the Spring Council meeting at Exeter.
Competition entries are being entered for both venues. Well done to one of our two entered quiz teams for getting through to the second round. However, they did not triumph on this occasion!
Good luck to Margaret Dennis in the next round of the Whist competition.
Our speaker, Mr James Pazman from the Dartmoor Preservation Society, gave an instructive talk with slides, on how Dartmoor has evolved into how we see it today.
Our competition for a wildlife photograph was won by Margaret Dennis and the Flower of the Month Cup was taken by Moira Deacon.
JB
THE President of CREDITON, Daphne Evans, welcomed members to the April meeting. Our secretary, Josie Mashford, was attending the annual meeting of the National Federation at the Royal Albert Hall, London, and so Sylvia Heaton was secretary for the evening.
Correspondence was read and our attention was drawn to help needed on May 15 at the Boniface Centre, Crediton Table Top Sale for which a supply of cakes etc would be required!
Our speaker was Anne Tucker, who worked at the Met Office for 35 years. Her subject was Climate Change and she explained that over the last 100 years there had been a gradual increase in temperature, the warmest being in 2006. Greenhouse gasses stay in the atmosphere for 100 years.
We had a lively discussion on this and Anne told us about the Crediton Climate Action Group.
The competition for a pressed flower card was won by: 1 Anne Grubb, 2 Joan Denne, 3 Daphne Evans. Flower of the Month was won by Monica Beale.
We welcome visitors and contact can be made to our president (01363 774064) or secretary (01363 773222).
PG
A SUDDEN change in the weather meant that, at last, CHERITON FITZPAINE, were able to meet on a warm, sunny day. Barbara Paddon welcomed us and gave us up-to-date news of June Sandford, who was currently in the Exeter Hospice.
Plans were made for the Mid Devon Show entry and also for the Annual Spring Conference at Exeter University, to which Thelma Keeble and Margaret Steer will be our delegates.
We had been asked to take part in a Quiz on May 15, in aid of the parish hall - it seemed we would be able to enter two teams of four members each.
Our fundraising this year would be in aid of a new urn for the parish hall - it was suggested that we print some notelets of village scenes as part of the effort.
A list of members who were willing to collect various recyclables was drawn up.
Our speaker, Marilyn Jones, had recently moved into the area and runs a small business buying pearls and some semi-precious stones from the Far East and then making jewellery in this country.
Marilyn brought a magnificent collection of pearls and explained how the different types were obtained. She told us that there was a wide variety of shapes, sizes and weights and passed around various examples of necklaces, rings and earrings, much to the ladies' delight. Mary Burchmore gave the vote of thanks and there was an opportunity for us to purchase some items.
The competition, for an unusual piece of jewellery, was won by: 1 Maisie Jones, 2 Pat Cartwright, 3 Janet Gladwell.
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, May 6, when we will be discussing the Resolutions for the AGM. Marian Beresford from "Cheriton Ceramics" will be our speaker.
MN
A LOVELY warm, sunny April afternoon and fewer MORCHARD BISHOP members than usual were gathered and welcomed by President Angie Williams. There were five birthday greetings for this month – but just one nonagenarian who received a lovely bouquet from all members.
Later, everyone shared a cake and the inevitable song! The cake, made by a member, was a gem for both decoration and taste buds.
To revert to just W.I. – the skittles team are through to the County semi-finals and Maureen Davies won the prize for the highest average in the "normal" skittles this season.
May 27 sees our W.I. hosting a workshop on "Driving Safer for Longer" at the Memorial Hall at 7.30pm, all welcome. Entrance is £3 to cover hall costs and light refreshments.
Mr Bob Venn was welcomed who promptly described the evolvement of the famous Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary founded by Dr Elizabeth Svendsen in 1969 and its 'offshoot', the subject of his talk – "Riding Therapy for Children with Special Needs".
He told his audience, with information pictures, of the five centres in the country for these children. Adults too benefit. There are various facilities at these centres that help in many different ways.
The Donkeys provide a "bonding" factor and their therapeutic value by touch and feel is relevant to children and adults alike, their visits welcomed by some residential homes too.
Mr Venn's description of all the work done by staff and volunteers was awe inspiring. Ann Bailey's thank you on behalf of members reflected everyone's admiration of the whole project.
The competition, for a Donkey Limerick, was won by: 1 Sue Pluckwell, 2 Ann Bailey. Flower of month result: 1 Annie Robinson, 2 Angie Williams.
The May 13 meeting will be a discussion on the resolution for NFWI's AGM.>