THE organisation celebrated its 80th birthday on January 10 and the Redditch club noted the occasion with a splendid cake at the January 13 meeting.

President Irene Gardner welcomed district chairman Jeanne Dorsett and invited her to light the candle of friendship for Inner Wheel clubs worldwide.

Jeanne then told members how much she was enjoying her year in office, finding the hospitality, good humour and laughter when visiting clubs a real tonic.

Praising the club for promoting the objectives of Inner Wheel by true friendship, personal service and international understanding, she gave a brief history of the organisation's growth.

Jeanne reminded members it was the 70th birthday of the district on March 13 and hoped as many as possible would attend the special day at the Council House in Birmingham.

Irene ended proceedings by thanking those who attended the coffee morning held in November, which was an outstanding success, generating funds for overseas projects, organised and hosted by overseas officer Elizabeth Ostroumoff.

We decided to donate the collection for Inner Wheel Day on January 10 and a collection in lieu of Christmas cards to the Primrose Hospice.