MAY MEETING - The main business of the May meeting was to discuss resolutions for the national annual general meeting in June.
In view of concerns about the accelerating decline in the UK honey bee population, the meeting, aimed at urging the Government to increase funding for research into bee health was introduced by Mary Williams.
The introduction was followed by Bria
n Halsey, a beekeeper from Colsterworth, who explained about keeping bees and the perils they were under with the increase in Varroa mites and diseases throughout the world and how government funding into the research of these dangers is essential to the continued existence of bees and therefore the food chain throughout the world.
After the refreshments served by Jane Naylor and Sherri Farrow members enjoyed an amusing and informative dialogue between two of the federation advisors, Janet Turner and Anne Harvey.
They highlighted the changes in the WI movement since it was formed in 1897 in Canada and 1915 in the UK and encouraged everyone to contribute and get the most out of their WI and the movement.
Birthday gifts were given to Mrs Beryl Stevenson and Mrs Alison Wallace.
The raffle was won by Mrs Mary-Anne Creedy and flowers for the president's table were given by Kathleen Logan.
The competition for a pen was won by Pat Osborn, second was Rosemary Howell and third Alison Wallace.
Members were reminded about the forthcoming June evening visit to the Southfields Cactus Nursery at Morton and of the summer outing to Blenheim Palace in July which is open to anyone not just WI members. Contact June Nall on 01778 423308.
The next meeting is an open meeting in St Firmin's Church Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday June 11. Members, husbands, friends and villagers are all most welcome.
The speaker will be Sue Cadman who is one of the Roly Polys. For more information on Thurlby WI contact Alison Wallace on 01778 423308.
