THE May meeting of Oakley and Deane WI, was the annual meeting, when members received a resume of the many varied and interesting meetings and activities enjoyed during the year. They were told how to make their gardens more wildlife friendly, how to improve memory, and also heard Mrs Fidget’s wartime tips. Queen Alexandra was the subject of an interesting talk, as was one all about Sri Lanka. Another speaker spoke about orchids, and Bluebells was another subject, not the flowers, but the respite home in North Waltham, which offers free holidays to the families of children with life-limiting or life-threatening medical conditions.

New Age Curling was played one evening, and there was also a garden party in the summer, although it had to be held inside due to bad weather! Cheese and wine tasting was also enjoyed.

There were several outings during the year, one to the Chichester Cathedral Flower Festival and a boat trip around the harbour, a trip to Buckingham Palace to see the Queen’s diamonds, afternoon tea at Oakley Hall and a trip to Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park.

As well as the enjoyable monthly meetings, there were also regular scrabble, craft and bridge sessions, as well as two jumble sales and various group and federation activities making it a very busy year.

Reports were given on a recent literary walk undertaken by several members for ACWW and a Canape and Flower Arranging evening in Winchester, at which, Michael Bowyer demonstrated many very modern arrangements.

A visit will be made to West Woodhay Gardens and craft fair in June, and future events planned by the county include a quiz at Cliddesden, a literary lunch with Sandra Howard in Winchester, a Titanic guided walk and a tour of the garden at Sherfield English.

There was discussion on the national resolution, which was on the "Decline of our High Streets and Town Centres" and our delegate to the annual general meeting in Cardiff was asked to vote in favour of this. She was also asked to vote in favour of another resolution, which was to modernise and update the national WI constitution.

Following the election of the new committee, which will be headed by Lynn Martin, as president, members there will be shown a swishing party of accessories. An equally varied and interesting programme has been arranged for the following year and any guests or new members will be most welcome. The meetings take place on the second Tuesday of each month at the village hall, in Andover Road, at 7.30pm.