ARELEY KINGS WI: The speaker this month was Jo Roach, an Historian specialising in the History of Abberley Hall and Clock Tower, a most fascinating subject relating our local history and so enthusiastically presented.

The history of Abberley Hall dates back to the Medieval Period. The Hall was previously known as a Lodge and has had numerous owners through the centuries until Abberley Hall was acquired in 1916 by a Blackheath School Headmaster, Gilbert Ashton for £10,000, hence Abberley Hall School as we know it as today. One common link to all Abberley Hall residents through the centuries for many household celebrations was the Hundred House Hotel, Whitely which dates back to the 17th Century. The vote of thanks was given by Pat Gale.

Many thanks to Ann Bailey for organising our skittles team, the ladies won 4 out of 5 matches this season. Well done everyone!

Our Trip next month will be to the Forge Mill Needle Museum, Redditch. A successful coffee morning last month raised £165 for the Kidderminster Hospital League of Friends, our sincere thanks to Anne Freeston for hosting the event and to all the ladies who donated cakes.

Preparations are underway for the Queen’s 90th Birthday celebration in June and also the Areley Kings WI 90th Anniversary celebration which will be held in November.

The winners of this month’s competition were: First place Katie Reid, second place Pam Stubbs and Third place Pam Eves. Well done ladies.

The next meeting is on April 11 at 7.30pm.The speaker is David Chatterley: a talk on ‘Victorian Brass Needle Cases’. The competition will be a decorative pin cushion. Visitors and new members are most welcome, just come along.