WI

THE 50th anniversary year of the WI came to an end with the final meeting of 2015, when members, guests and visitors met on Monday, 7 December in the hall. Acknowledging the season, the meeting had a Christmas theme, and chairman Jean Ecklund warmly welcomed Rita Roberts, local skilled flower-arranger who had joined the meeting to give members help and tips to assist in decorating houses and tables for the festive season. Rita is always a very welcome speaker as she makes flower-arranging very accessible, emphasising using items from around the home without the need to buy expensive items or exotic flowers. Rita came along with some arrangements and also various items, floral blocks and containers so that members could have a go. Many members took the opportunity, going home with arrangements while others bought some of Rita’s arrangements. She has been selling these for a children’s char-ity, and raised over £150 so far this season.Members will be meeting together before Christmas to finalise next year’s programme with which they are hoping to welcome new members — as we have indeed this year — and encouraging women on the Waun to take part in all that the WI movement has to offer locally, across the county and nationwide. The group will also be enjoying together a post-Christmas lunch on 25 January.A warm welcome is extended to all ladies of the Waun to join the group at the community hall for our meetings next year.