We welcomed Rob from Fairview Wines in Midhurst to our February meeting.

We started the year with a light hearted evening of eating and bingo.

Andy Thomas is an author and presenter specialising in unexplained mysteries and the paranormal. At our Christmas meeting he gave a fascinating talk on the origins of Christmas traditions.

Hannah and Jane led members in two crafting activities this month. With a lovely buzz of chatter and much laughter everyone settled onto two tables where they either made a clove decorated orange or two Christmas decorations made from old buttons.

One of our members, Jane, gave us a fascinating presentation on her recently completed Diploma at The Royal School of Needlework.

We started our autumn program with a very enjoyable demonstration by one of our members, Sue.

Sue very kindly offered us her garden for this year’s Summer Garden Party which made a perfect backdrop for everyone to arrive with picnic chairs and donations for a delicious shared supper.

Ian Porter came to our June meeting to present a fascinating talk about The real Mr Selfridge. It was amazing to think that his store had such an influence on the concept of the department store, sadly a fading model today.

The resolutions part of our evening was dealt with quickly with Sally explaining the resolution to provide dentistry for all. A unanimous vote agreed to support the resolution and also to give Sally a discretionary vote at the AGM.

March is AGM month so we started with the formal process of reporting the year and re-electing the president and committee.

Our February meeting was a cookery demonstration by Debbie Towson who showed us how to make two really interesting canapes.

Our first meeting of the new year was a very entertaining talk by Alison Hoyland, an image consultant. She began her presentation by pointing out how quickly we form a judgement of a person based mostly on what they look like

We decided to round off this successful year at Stedham WI with a bring and share supper.

November bought a lively evening of festive crafting with two activities led by Hannah and Jane.

For our November gathering Jo Smith came to tell us about life in the goldfields of Australia. He told the story through a collection of seven letters that his family had found in a secret compartment of a family dresser.

We were welcomed back to the Autumn season with a wonderful display of all things quilted. Our member Rachel introduced us to her friends from The Midhurst Quilters Group, then told us a short history of quilting.

Our annual visit to The Duncton Croquet Club was a great success as always.

Everyone arrived at the June meeting saying ‘I certainly can’t draw a tiger so this will be interesting.’ However, in no time at all Heather Wylde had handed out pictures of tigers, paper and 2B pencils and reassured us that everyone would take home something to be proud of.