ALTHOUGH it was bitterly cold and raining 45 members of Staunton, Hartpury & District Over 60's Club turned up to buy from Hannah Morgan's Fashions when she visited the club.

The Coffee Morning with a Bring & Buy was another success with well laden stalls and a good raffle to make a grand profit of £165.

On Monday (March 19) the club will be holding their 'Out to Lunch' day and after first meeting for coffee and biscuits they will leave for Hazelfields for lunch.

The Annual General Meeting will be held in April and this will be followed with a talk by Steve, 'A Day in the Emergency Service'. There will be no club on April 16 which is Easter Monday.

Paying tributes to Miss Winifred Chapman who died on March 2, Mrs Nan Bevan, Club Leader said: "She was born in 1908 and was a great business lady with old fashioned high standards. In 1960, with the help of her sister Doris and Mrs Bevan she founded the Hartpury & District Over 60's Club.

"The first meeting was launched in Hartpury Village Hall with ten people increasing over the years into 35 members. They had great outings and holidays."

After 25 years leading the club she retired and Nan Bevan took over and moved the venue to Johnstone Close where the club is still going strong with 72 members.

All three officers were re-elected at the Annual General Meeting of Hartpury, Corse & Staunton Mother's Union, Ursula Groves-Smith branch leader, Annie Hanby, secretary and Mary McGhee, treasurer. They were all thanked for their hard work during the year.

In her Annual Report the Branch Leader spoke of the loss to the branch of a dedicated member, Mrs Mabel Parham, who had died suddenly last year, she had been Secretary for some years and was highly thought of as a friend and member.

In other ways it had been a good year with interesting speakers, outside visits, hosting the special June meeting and taking their own annual service. Two members had been responsible for the floral arrangements in the MU Chapel in the Cathedral for the "Thousand Years" flower festival.

Importantly during the year the branch had gained two new members. Floods had caused the cancellation of two meetings. Everyone was thanked for their support.

The programme for the coming year was planned and Mrs Pam Baker was welcomed back after the sad loss of her husband.

A Bring & Buy was held for funds.