WOMEN’S INSTITUTE: Unfortunately our speaker, Mike Bevington from the National Trust, was forced to cancel his visit at very short notice. We were fortunate that Sheelagh Trigger, one of our committee members, volunteered to talk about her experiences as a walks guide for HF Holidays.

After enjoying various walking holidays herself Sheelagh decided to apply to lead walks in the UK and eventually, after taking voluntary redundancy from teaching, she moved on to leading walking groups all over Europe and picking up German, Italian and various other languages along the way. She had many interesting and funny experiences during her time as a guide and it was a thoroughly entertaining evening.

In 2015 the WI will be 100 years old and ahead of the celebrations a centenary baton is travelling around the country visiting all 69 WI Federations en route. At the end of this month it passes from North Yorkshire to West Yorkshire, the official handover taking place at the Cow and Calf Rocks in Ilkley on April 30. Many of us hope to be there together with fellow members from neighbouring WIs.

Next month’s meeting on Thursday, May 1, is a week earlier than usual as many of us will be away at Denman, the WI’s residential college, the following week.

We are delighted that our guest will be Sandra Harder who will be demonstrating spring flower arrangements. Sandra lectured in floristry and flower arranging for many years at Bradford and Ilkley College and is currently president of the Yorkshire Flower Club. She has exhibited at Chelsea and also arranged flowers at Westminster Abbey as well as very many exhibits at the Harrogate Spring and Autumn Flower shows, so it should be a wonderful evening.

Visitors are very welcome to this meeting which starts at 7.30pm in Askwith Village Hall. There is an admittance charge of £3 and all Sandra’s arrangements will be raffled at the end of the evening. If you would like to come along, ring Sue Appleyard on (01943) 839292.