JULY started with an evening at the Loddon Bowls Club, where our federation held the annual skittles evening with competition between the various guilds – a very enjoyable evening which included a supper.

Unfortunately, the speaker we had booked for our monthly meeting was unable to attend, but Peter Hammond very kindly stepped in with a very interesting talk called “Dusting off the Cobwebs.”

He showed us slides of photos he had taken in the past, covering topics such as canals, locks and stations. Many had disappeared such as Lasham Station or been re-developed such as Gloucester Docks and Newbury Wharf.

He also included some early photos of the Basingstoke Canal being dredged. The title of the talk was most appropriate as we reminisced about the past.

Our usual sub-groups met during the month, and some of our members enjoyed a day at Millets Farm Centre, near Abingdon, well worth a visit.

This month, we will have our annual coffee morning followed by a bring-and-buy sale. The sub-groups will not meet again until September.

If you would like to know more about the Townswomen’s Guild, why not come along and be welcomed as a visitor. We meet every second Tuesday of the month at Sarum Hall, Sarum Hill, Basingstoke, from 10am to noon.