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It's not often that a WI president is privileged to welcome four new members, two of whom had four legs, a tail and were covered with fur.

However, it happened at our February meeting. Not surprising, as Sheila Tremellen, from PUPS - the Protection of Unwanted Puppies group - was to be our speaker.While Sheila arranged her photographs, the business of the meeting continued.

The full programme of extra events is now well on its way to being finalised.Our birthday lunch at the Chateau Impney at the end of February will celebrate our 54th year. The evening tour of a vineyard and supper in June is proving popular, while the visit in August to the WI's Denman College in Oxfordshire is attracting many members from other WIs in The Corbett Group.

We are also well represented in various county activities. Sue Longhurst is the organiser of our entry for the spring craft and food rally in April, Jenny Williams is rallying the skittle players and Denise Cotterell is coaching the quiz team. As usual there is a busy schedule of events to look forward to, not least the Salwarpe Fete August 16, when we will be providing the refreshments. Volunteers have been summoned.

After reports from the UFO (craft) group and the book club, president Shirley Willis introduced Sheila Tremellen,who had not only received an MBE in recognition of her service to animal welfare, but was winner of the BBC TV Animal Hospital Award 2002. Sheila's dedication to the rescuing and rearing of unwanted, abandoned or abused puppies, was evident from the many harrowing stories she had to tell. She impressed and amazed us all. A heartfelt vote of thanks was given by Pat Banthorpe, who had personal experience of Sheila's work.

Many members were eager to talk to Sheila and fuss the two furry friends who accompanied her. After refreshment, Sheila made her choice of the competition entries of a four-line poem based on the acronym PUPS. The winner was Denise Cotterell.

Our meeting next month is on March 10 when Brian Draper will be re-visiting us to extend our knowledge further with a slide show of rural Worcestershire. As always, visitors are welcome to any meeting.

4:26pm Wednesday 13th February 2008

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