ARELEY KINGS WI: President Cyndy Firth welcomed everyone to our meeting. This month in place of the speaker, we held a social evening allowing members to try their hand at a quiz and beetle drive enjoying some much appreciated social time.

Members were given the opportunity to select craft entries for the WFWI in Malvern Oct 17th. All entries were of a very high standard, the chosen entries will be entered in October: Cushion: Alison Hastie, Painting: Chris Steadman, Tapestry: Mollie Long, Photo: joint first – Margaret Cook, Ann Lakin – second selection needed. Well done everyone.

Some of our group visited Laskett Gardens in Hereford, a garden created by Sir Roy Strong and his wife Julia Trevelyan-Oman. The day was perfect with glorious sunshine. Laskett Gardens is idyllic with endless secret gardens full individual character; the grounds are surrounded by a rich tapestry of the wonderful Herefordshire countryside. Members spent a blissful afternoon enjoying the beautiful flora and forna. As always, a delicious home-made afternoon tea was provided by a local farmer’s wife served in The Yew Tree, Ross-on-Wye. A truly perfect day enjoyed by everyone.

A very successful tabletop book sale was held, many thanks to members for all your contributions. Another tabletop jewellery sale will be held at our Sept Meeting.

Congratulations to Lesley Smith for attaining the highest Individual score this year for the Skittles matches in our region earlier this year.

The next meeting will be on September 11 7.30pm. The competition will be ‘A comical photo from your holidays’.

WI House will be closed for August and will re-open September. WI Diaries are now available to order. Please see our website for more details: areleykingswi.blogspot.co.uk. Visitors are always welcome.