THERE should be some beautifully dressed Christmas tables in Oakley, following Violet McMonnies talk on this subject to members of Oakley and Deane WI at their October meeting.

She demonstrated a traditional design, a contemporary one, a natural one and a very modern one all in black and gold. They were all done on a white cloth with a coloured runner, or with glass tiles as in the contemporary one, with rows of beads laid down the sides and they all had co-ordinating accessories.

She gave lots of original ideas and tips on how to dress the tables, including the suggestion of covering ordinary table mats with the appropriate coloured Christmas wrapping paper which was very effective and for candles on the natural table she used apples with tealights cut into the tops. They were all very attractive especially when the lights were dimmed which showed the effect of the candles and in some cases the sparklers as well.

The competition for the evening was for apple chutney to a set recipe and there were quite a few entries, all slightly different, but to the same recipe!

A report was given on a recent skittles evening and the team was selected for the forthcoming group skittles competition.

The next event is an afternoon tea at The White Lion in Hartley Wintney, which besides having a tearoom is also an antique centre, so it should be an interesting afternoon.

A jumble sale will be held at the beginning of next month and this will be followed by a trip to Blenheim Palace, which will also be hosting a Christmas craft fair. Several members are going to the group autumn meeting, at which vet Stuart Williams will be talking, and the HCFWI autumn meeting will be at The Anvil on October22,  and Jenny Murray will be a guest speaker.

At the November meeting, there will be line dancing, with members being encouraged to wear “western” themed dress, and any visitors will be most welcome to come and enjoy this. It will be on the second Tuesday of November at the village hall, in Andover Road, starting at 7.3opm