WE held our birthday meeting on a lovely sunny evening. Maureen Matthews welcomed members and our visitors from several WIs.

Christine Williams had enjoyed the council meeting and she explained how the old bras we had all donated would be used to raise money for the Worcestershire Breast Unit – the event to take place on Pitchcroft Racecourse and the date to be announced later in the year.

We had the draw for a £50 bursary to be used for education.

This was won by Diana Bethal.

We have organised a visit to Pewcroft Farm in June; names were taken. Jean was delighted to say we had won our skittles match.

Maureen introduced our speaker for the evening, Rod Quilter, who had two large suitcases with him.

His subject was corsetry and he proceeded to show us some very restraining examples with rows of hooks and eyes and lots of laces.

Some of the early ones looked most uncomfortable. He passed all the items around so we were able to see them close up. He was thanked by Christine.

Members had provided a delicious buffet of sandwiches and home-made cakes, and tea was brought to the tables which were decorated with fresh flowers.

Mr Quilter was asked to judge the competition “naughty knickers”. He chose Barbara’s who insisted they were for her granddaughter.

A quiz had been devised by Joan and one put on each table. The winners were from Broomhill WI who won a small prize.

J BIRBECK