Finstall and Cofton Hackett WI

The president, Val Wheeler, welcomed us to our July meeting and Jerusalem was sung. There were three birthdays this month – Paula, Betty and Glenys. Val announced that members would be treated to an afternoon tea at the Golf Club on July 18. She reminded members to sign up for our next Brian Draper trip to the Lower Severn on September 19. She asked if anyone else wished to apply for a Denman Bursary and as no one did, Sue will choose a course. The speaker was Hannah Thomas who works for Worcestershire Wild Life Trust as an engagement officer. There are 175 nature reserves in Worcestershire. One of which, Upton Warren, is an exciting wetland as the salt water attracts unusual birds such as Avocets. She told us about the management of meadows where a low fertility soil attracts wild flowers such as orchids, butterflies such as the Marble White and Gatekeeper, bumble bees and honey bees, while Kestrels hover overhead seeking voles and mice. She said it was now time for meadows to be mown so if we wanted to see one of our local meadows, such the one near the Ginney Ring, we should go soon. Jessica thanked Hannah for her informative talk about the wild life on our door step. While we enjoyed our tea and biscuits, Hannah judged our competition and Sue won with Iris second and Nova third. We meet on the first Monday in the month at 2pm in Finstall Village Hall and new members are warmly welcomed.