AT Marden members enjoyed a delightful talk given by Betty Whaley about her life and work at a health farm and a girls school. They hope to invite her back again to tell about the hotel she ran after moving to Hereford. Afterwards they enjoyed hot cross buns and admired the wonderful selection of egg-cups brought along by members. Rachel Steadman gave a talk on the conservation of paper documents to Upton Bishop. She works with all types of paper based items, Family items to works of art. The quality of the paper depends on whether it can be preserved and different specimens of papers were handed around. One sample was 250 years old and had Hogarth prints on it. She stressed that it is important where to keep paper to prevent mould and discoloration, and said the oldest she had dealt with dated from 1400.

Mr and Mrs Clyde Jones sowed slides of their amazing journey by train through South Africa to Almeley. They described their journey from the Edwardian style Mount Nelson Hotel to the Blue train, Pride of Africa where classical music was played on the platform and the carriages were fitted with mahogany and drinks were free. Also they spoke of some of the beautiful wild animals they saw, cheetahs warthogs, antelopes to name just a few.

Little Hereford were delighted to welcome back Jen Green for a return visit this time to talk about her illustrious Auntie May. On her death her secrets were revealed and what secrets! She had been a nude model for the artist Lowry for a starter and her diary and address book set Jen on the track of many more secrets which will be revealed in a book and possible TV programme. Then, in May, Jean Harper demonstrated her 'Super Sandwiches'.

PRESTEIGNE: Presteigne WI members enjoyed a talk and slides entitled 'Colour all Seasons' given by Dr Savoury, from Kington, for their April meeting. Trees and shrubs were his main topic. Dr Savoury went through the year month by month, highlighting the seasonal trees and shrubs, with their splendid arrays of berries, flowers and leaves, and showing that it is possible to have colour in the garden throughout the year. President Jill Cornish thanked Dr Savoury on behalf of members for a most interesting talk and the lovely slides taken in his garden - only wishing that more members and friends had been there to appreciate the presentation - the speaker's fee being donated to the County Air Ambulance Fund. Members extend a warm welcome to their meeting on Wednesday, May 28, at 2.30 pm in the Green Room at the Assembly Rooms, when Lesley Thompson will be giving a cookery demonstration entitled 'Ready, Steady, Cook'. The Women's Institute County Show took place in Knighton at the beginning of May, and a great deal of thought and skill had gone into preparing the Presteigne Institute's entries for the county competition classes in cookery, craft, art and photography. The overall theme was 'Healthy Eating', and Diana Baker won first place for her 'Main Course' entry of marinated chicken on a bed of wild rice, and Barbara Ward gained third place for her 'Vegetarian Starter'. In the other classes, Diane Hayward won third place with her watercolour painting. All the other Presteigne members' entries were well marked, and gained the institute a well-earned eighth place overall.

ALMELEY: The June meeting will take the form of an outing to Mrs Femmings Garden at Three Cocks, near Hay-on-Wye, on June 19, leaving the village hall at 1.30pm.