THE July meeting was the annual garden meeting, kindly hosted by secretary Ann Randall and her husband at their garden in Ladywood, Droitwich.

The meeting began with apologies from president Jenny Marsh and thanks to Judy Lee for stepping in to chair.

Pat Neale was thanked for the flowers.

On Wednesday August 6, Droitwich Spa WI hosted a garden fete.

Pat Neale gave a report of their trip to Wimbledon and Ham House. It was a very early start and a terribly wet day, arriving at Ham House at lunchtime.

It is a National Trust Stuart mansion with stunning main staircase and ornately carved banisters. The exceptionally long portrait gallery was also of particular note with the men all along one side and the women on the opposite wall.

The house was used as a set for the 2011 filming of Anna Karenina. Outside, the garden had beautiful lavender beds.

At 2pm, the coach party arrived at Wimbledon in the pouring rain. The tour included Fred Perry’s statue, No 1 court, then Centre Court and the royal box. There was also a demonstration of the roof mechanism opening and closing over Centre Court.

Val Pedler gave her report of the visit to Wrens Nest geological nature reserve, near Dudley, and thanked Anna Coward, former warden there, for sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for fossil finding and the history of the site.

There was much to interest including the site of Abraham Darby’s birthplace in 1678 as well as the 420 millionyear- old limestone, 19th century lime kilns, limemaster’s cottage and rare flora.

On Sunday, September 14, the WI centenary baton is due to arrive by motorbike at Vines Park during the Saltfest.

WI Sparkles will be running the baton to the Chateau Impney by relay. There are plans for the baton to also ride on the Severn Valley Railway for part of its journey.

For the annual council meeting in September, the committee are going to put together a display about “what our WI does”. Judy also asked for photographic contributions towards a new album she is compiling of the branch’s activities.

The next meeting in September will include a talk about the “Victory Harvests” and the competition will be for a small autumnal flower arrangement.

There will also be a trading stall in September.

Meetings have resumed on the second Tuesday of every month at Oddingley Village Hall at 2.30pm.