INNER WHEEL NEWS

January 2009

Jacqui Butcher writes . . . President Beryl wished all those present a very happy and healthy new year. Among visitors welcomed was Jackie Lane, on a flying visit from her new home in France.

Dr Martin Parsons was also welcomed as he was to be our speaker. He subsequently gave us a most interesting talk about wartime evacuees. The statistics were amazing – 3,500,000 people were moved over a four-day period. In January, 1939, a survey was started to assess how many evacuees, households could accommodate should the necessity arise. Children were identified by a luggage label and taken away from schools and nurseries without informing the parents!! If you refused to take an evacuee you could be fined 15/- (75p). 23000 evacuees were scheduled to be taken to a centre in Reading, but in reality 47000 arrived. Can you imagine the chaos that this must have caused?

Anne Sherman gave the vote of thanks, recalling her own experiences at that time.

The meeting then commenced with Ruth Charles being made an honorary member. The frugal lunch held in January was much enjoyed by 23 people raising £115. Anne Jones was congratulated on her hard work in arranging such an event. It was also reported that tins of biscuits had been taken to the Day Centre, and were much appreciated.

Plans are well in hand for the Birthday Lunch to be held at the Carnation Hall on 18th February – tickets, £18 each, are available from Sue Price. There will be a raffle – and members are asked to arrive from 11 a.m. onwards.

Invitations have been received from other clubs.

The Diminishing Tea Party, held in aid of the Fistula Hospital, Addis Ababa, raised £379 for that charity. The next convoy to be sent by Tom Conlin will leave in March. Blankets continue to be well received.

The next District Overseas Rally will be held at Stokenchurch on 27th February. Anyone wishing to go please contact Jane Short.

Our warm wishes go to Julia Hepburn and Pauline Smith who have both been unwell.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Feb 16 Knit and Natter, 10 a.m. (please note half an hour earlier than usual) at the home of Jennifer Newport.

18 Birthday Lunch in Carnation Hall, 12 for 12.30 p.m.. Wear a hat if you can.

27 District Overseas Rally at Stokenchurch.

Mar 6 Skittles Challenge, Jack o’ Newbury, Binfield.

11 District Meeting, 10.30 a.m., Benson Village Hall.

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING: Monday, 9th February, 10 a.m. at the home of Anne Jones.

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, 25th February, 7.30 p.m., at Mill Ride Golf Club.

Any apologies to Mary Bowles (843446) by 10 a.m. Monday, 23rd February

Meals will be charged for unless earlier notification has been received.