Several members felt very privileged to have attended the national AGM at the new Echo Arena in Liverpool. They were there either because they were members of the Weaver Valley choir or as spectators. There was some interesting debate about the resolutions, and they all enjoyed the excellent speakers, namely Professor Averil MacDonald, Baroness Susan Greenfield, and Sandy Toksvig. They gave much food for thought and Sandy Toksvig had everyone roaring with laughter. The choir rounded off the day with some lively songs, Jerusalem, Land of my Fathers, (sung in Welsh) and the national anthem.

An outing to Liverpool has been arranged for the beginning of August for members and their families. There will be a walk round Crowton towards the end June followed by lunch. Members have been asked to help the pre-school with a cake stall on 28 June.

The speaker, Tim Kirwin, from the Woodland Trust, spoke about his job of looking after many small areas of woodland in Cheshire, including our own Hazel Pear Wood in Acton Bridge and Longacre wood, Dutton. He showed us pictures of beautiful wild flower meadows, which is how the newly acquired sites look the year after the young saplings are planted. Flowers do not compete for nutrients in the same way as grass does. Local people are encouraged to enjoy these areas of woodland and to value the habitats they provide for wild creatures.

Jean Bracegirdle spoke on behalf of the members saying how enlightening the talk had been, and warmly thanked Tim Kirwin.

The next meeting is at the Parish Rooms, on Tuesday 8 July when the speaker, Janet Bradshaw, is talking about the history of the women at Tatton.