Doreen Armstrong in her new role as guild chairman opened the meeting on April 28 and welcomed 52 members and 2 visitors.

Unfortunately she had some sad news that Margaret Owen, a previous member, had passed away.

Margaret had been a member since 2002 and had lapsed her membership only because of ill health. A few moments silence was held in her memory.

After the preliminaries of the meeting, the monthly free raffle was held and prizes of china mugs were won by Elsie Weatherhogg, Hazel Waite and Josie Ross.

The committee reports were given and members were informed of the departure time for our first trip of the year to the Tulip and Flower Festival at Chatsworth House.

The first strolling group will meet early May and will take a walk round Lightswood Park.

Our charity table was again well supported with knitted items for the Premature Baby Unit, tinned food and toiletries for City Mission and spectacles for Vision Aid.

Elsie Weatherhogg, our charities co-ordinator, thanked everyone for their generosity.

Thelma Oliver gave a report on the West Midlands Federation Council Meeting, which included the AGM on April 21. At this meeting a new chairman was elected, Margaret Brooks and Margaret Tew will continue as treasurer. The federation annual lunch will be at The Mill on July 26.

At the end of the meeting flowers and a gift were presented to Win Willetts who was retiring both as chairman and from the committee.

However, she has been elected as president for the coming year and so will still be attending meetings.

Our speaker was Mr David Vodden on ‘Myths and legends’. He gave an interesting talk and his wide knowledge on the subject was very apparent. He spoke about the Loch Ness monster and unicorns. He complemented his talk with slides and spoke in great detail about the rings of stones in various parts of the country.

He finished with a flourish on the subject of the Arthurian legend, reputably the best known legend in the world. Doreen Smith gave the official vote of thanks.

The meeting then closed and the ladies took refreshments.

Our next meeting will be on May 26 at 10.30am. Our speaker will be Mr Ken Allen who will talk to us about life and times of his mother Dolly Allen.

Our meetings are held at the Moose Hall in Beeches Road, Blackheath.

Visitors are always welcome.