TERRI Reid came to Oakley and Deane’s December meeting appropriately addressed as Mrs Alice Fidgett, a 1942 housewife, to give us wartime tips. She gave us many ideas for the festive season in wartime using the only ingredients available.

Mashed potato and cocoa powder makes a lovely chocolate spread which can be used on bread or used as a filling for cakes and even with a spot of rum essence makes truffles for Christmas. Parsnips can be cooked and shaped and with some banana essence they can really look like bananas! Mock marzipan can also be made for the Christmas cake with parsnips and almond essence.

As for beauty treatments, porridge with a little honey and lemon juice can make a good facemask and all the old lipsticks can be melted down to make a new one albeit a different colour which can also be used as rouge. A sprayed large twig will make a Christmas tree and paper decorations can be made to put on it. As for clothes the legs from a man ‘s trousers can be unpicked and then sewn to make a skirt and if you are able to get hold of some parachute silk this can be used to make undies.

It is very hard to imagine doing all this this day and age, although there were one or two members who did remember, but it certainly made everyone appreciate what they have today.

Following the talk, a buffet provided by members was enjoyed with a glass of wine.

Travel arrangements were made for those attending the Christmas celebration at the Baptist Church in Brighton Hill and a Loddon Group Celebration at Cliddesden. Some members are also having a Christmas lunch at the Jekyll and Hyde pub and two members will be joining Basingstoke Afternoon WI at their Christmas meeting.

At the January meeting, Major Paul Whittle will be giving a talk on Sri Lanka. As usual, any visitors or prospective members will be made most welcome.

There is a varied and interesting programme arranged for the following year, so why not come along and join in. The meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, at the Andover Road Oakley and Deane WI.