President, Mrs Joyce Woolhead, welcomed guests and new member Winnie Mc Climont who received the revised W I information pack. Mrs Lampon and Mrs Beeching will form a committee for Members Evening.
The secretary asked for toiletries to be brought to the December meeting which will be sent to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan who do not have families to support them. Post will be free.
The treasurer reminded members that diaries and calendars are ready for collection and the W I subscription for 2008 payable in January will be £27. There will be no coach transport to the carol service in Chelmsford cathedral.
The winners of the competition for 2007 are 1st ‘Rene Keates joint second Joyce Hollock and Marie-Louise Fuell.
The AGM followed with guidance from Judith Rose. Joyce Woolhead was re-elected as president.
Bea Girkin gave her report on the half yearly council meeting and members learnt that when the WI was founded the weekly wage in 1917 was £1 and 90 years on it is £206.
There are 4 new WI’s in Essex making a total of 224 with membership at 8482.
Following the AGM members enjoyed 3 sketches from the play reading drama group. This included the sketch entered in the Denman Competition by ‘Rene Keates who received a very complimentary report on her writing.
Next month is the Christmas party beginning at the earlier time of 7pm and members are reminded to bring knife fork and spoon plus a wineglass.
This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
Yesterday local community police officers informed the Neighbourhood Watch of a stolen van within an hour of its disappearance; within 10 minutes of that over 30 Neighbourhood Watch volunteers were already keeping their eyes open for it.
