MEMBERS of Oakley and Deane WI were made aware of the many benefits and advantages of using beauty products made from purely natural ingredients at their June meeting in a talk given by Cherry Barney, who thoroughly researches all the products she recommends.

She stressed the importance of checking the ingredients of products claiming to be natural, particularly those sold at craft fairs, to ensure that they contain really natural ingredients and are manufactured to strict criteria.

Also members were made aware that many of the candles, which are very popular these days, often have paraffin as one of their ingredients, which can be dangerous.

Reports were given on recent activities including a visit to the Mansion House and Bank, which was really amazing.

The Mansion House, which is the private residence for the Lord Mayor, is a Georgian town palace and has magnificent interiors and elegant furniture, together with a vast art collection and one of the largest and finest gold and silver collections in the world.

There was also a visit to Lechlade and then Buscot House and gardens, and both the house and gardens were really outstanding and immaculate and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.

Two members also attended the Hatch Warren WI party, which was a really fun evening.

The competition was for an old family photograph, and there were many really interesting entries, some dating back to the l800s.

The topic for the July meeting will be ‘Colour Me Beautiful’ and any visitors will be most welcome at the usual venue of the village hall, in Andover Road, from 7.30pm