OUR President Val Wheeler welcomed members to our October meeting and we began as usual by singing Jerusalem.

We signed a card for Mabel’s 99th birthday and also a get well soon card for Marion, who has now been moved to Kidderminster Hospital.

After reporting that our recent trip to the salt and silk towns of Cheshire was enjoyable, especially with Brian Draper’s entertaining commentary, we moved on to our talk which was about hedgerow foraging given by Sarah Head.

Shehas taught abouthedgerowmedicines and herbs to students from all over the world for many years. A surprising number of hedgerow plants are thought to be beneficial.

She showed us how to make a tincture of hawthorn, which is thought to be good for the heart, and asked members to help by stripping leaves and berries from branches which she had brought.

Other members were put to work mixing spices with nettle leaves to make nettle tea. She told us that nettles are a good source of iron and are reputed to be good for arthritis so members were eager to sample it – no miraculous effects reported so far.

We spent a happy time with teaspoon size samples of various herbal cordials, wines and brandies made from hedgerow fruit with added spices.

She said that every spice had a warming effect on the body and after all the sampling we certainly agreed and felt distinctly merry as the meeting drew to a close.

Jessica thanked Sarah for a most enjoyable hands-on afternoon.

The raffle was won by Val and the competition for an autumn arrangement was won by Jessica with Jill second.

Wemeet on the first Monday in the month at 2pm in Finstall village hall.