PRESIDENT Doreen Springer welcomed all members back after the summer break.

Despite no official meeting in August, several members had enjoyed a strawberry tea, summer evening dinner and a fundraising "kurling" evening during the month.

At the end of July, secretary Pauline Kent had hosted a fundraising tea party - despite atrocious weather many of us braved the conditions and £60 was raised to share between the Ifakara Bakery Project and the Where Next Association.

In April we had a guest speaker talking about the history of Redditch theatre, subsequently a tour of the theatre has been arranged for all interested WI members and friends.

The will be preceded by lunch at Redditch College.

Plans not quite finalised are going ahead for a group quiz night.

The guest speaker for the evening was Brian Draper. He has been associated with the water authority for 40 years and during the 25 of these has concentrated on conservation.

With the help of slides he took us along the River Avon, from its source to end, 100 miles in all.

We were shown places of history and great beauty including many churches and picturesque villages.

Brian was a very knowledgeable and entertaining speaker.

Our meeting on OCtober 4 will include speakers Annette and John Christophers, the Albrighton pottery people.