President Carol Kinsey welcomed members and three visitors to the March meeting.

After the minutes were read there were some dates for our diaries. An invitation from Drakes Cross WI to join them for their annual Hot Cross Bun day on April 2, and an invitation from Bentley Pauncefoot WI to attend their Members Meeting on April 14. Carol introduced David Morgan, who is the Chairman of the National Gardens Scheme for Worcestershire, who came to tell us how it all began. NGS started in the 19th Century by William Rathbone. He hired a nurse to tend his sick wife and later paid for training of several nurses, which was the start of District Nursing. Florence Nightingale and Queen Victoria were impressed with this idea and it was later known as the Queens Nursing Institute. The problem was how to fund the training of these Nurses, A lady called Elsie Wagg came up with the idea of opening of private gardens to the public with a charge of one Shilling to enter. Today the NGS is flourishing with small, medium and large gardens opening to the public on planned days. The shilling entrance fee was dropped in the 1970s.

Many charities benefit from this scheme, 80p out of a £1 is donated to Marie Curie, Macmillan, Parkinsons and many more.

The Prince of Wales is the Patron and Joe Swift is the President.

Later, arrangements were discussed for the April Members’ Evening when an adhoc committee will organise the meeting. After the raffle was drawn, the winner of flower of the month was announced, Mavis Walthew coming first. The competition for a flower arrangement was won by Jill Gallagher.

The president announced that the trading table had made a profit of £20 and the raffle had realised £29.50. Ipsley’s longest serving member, Rita Massey, has written her thoughts on what being a member of Ipsley WI has meant to her for the past 48 years. After a busy meeting, Carol closed by wishing us a safe journey home. The WI meets at Winyates Green Community Centre on the second Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm. Visitors welcome.