AGM AND RESOLUTION The meeting was opened by Mary, Jerusalem was sung and the minutes of the previous meeting were read out.

Apologies for absentees were given.

There will be 15 members going to Bodenham Arboretum for the annual meal on May 28. The meal is booked for 7pm.

Next month is the garden meeting and this year we are going to Rowberry’s Garden Centre. This will take place on June 10 at 2.30pm. Tea and cake or afternoon tea will be available in the restaurant.

The Denman Bursary is now being taken up by Kath Davis. The Parish Council provide an additional bursary, this will enable her to take a friend.

The Produce Show arrangements are well under way.

This year we also have three novice classes. It would be nice if everyone had a go and this is ideal for anyone who had never entered anything before. Bottles are needed for the tombola and these should be handed in at the July meeting.

We then commenced with the AGM.

There was no need for an election as the same officers will be standing for 2015.

Mary is standing down as the club’s president but she will take on the role of vice president.

Carol Hine will be the new president in 2015. She said that Mary will be a strong act to follow and was very pleased that she will be on hand to help her through this transition period.

TREASURER’S REPORT Sheila said that our funds were in a very healthy position, the balance sheet was available for all to see.

Obviously the costs of the hall and speakers are likely to increase. She suggested that we should increase the prices of the tea and coffee available at the meetings, which everyone present agreed to.

As a fundraiser we do very well from the Produce Show and this last year, funds for refreshments for the Parish Council meetings have been very welcome too.

SECRETARY’S REPORT Maggie gave a brief report on how the year went giving details of the highlights of the year and commented on the fact that we had good speakers. She thanked everyone for all the hard work and Anne for organising the Produce Show.

Mary said that she felt we should try and do something perhaps more lively for a change. A craft or skittles evening in the hall was suggested and these will be looked into.

She thanked Sheila, the treasurer, and the whole committee for their support, and also mentioned that it had been a hard year due to sickness and family commitments of several of the members.

Ellen gave the vote of thanks to everyone who had made 2014 such a successful year.

RESOLUTION Failing to Care – Assessment of Need in Long-term Care.

This calls on HM government to remove the distinction between nursing care and personal care in the assessment of the needs of individuals, in order to advance health and wellbeing.

This was a very difficult resolution to implement. Two questions that could be asked: Is the resolution too limited?

Is the complexity and variety of the health and social care system too hard for many people to navigate?

There was a lot of discussion especially from members who were in, or had been in, a caring position and they therefore knew of all the problems involved with the various agencies within the caring/nursing system. Despite the lengthy discussion nothing could be resolved. There are too many issues outlining the necessity for both nursing/personal care.

In the end we took a vote on the resolution. The result was five for, none against, and 13 abstained.

Because of this result the resolution was carried but giving our delegate discretion as well.

It was a very difficult topic.

We then had a fish and chip supper, which was very welcome.

The competition for five cookies was won by Meriel Scurrell, second place Carol Hine and third place Beverley Cotterill.

The raffle was won by Jennifer Elijah – a beautiful hanging basket.

The July meeting is on July 8 in the Village Hall at 7.30pm The speaker is Bernard Mills on the English Civil War and the competition is a Royal Worcester artefact. Do come along, you will be very welcome.