CRADLEY WI met on a wet and gloomy night for our April meeting, but enjoyed an intriguing evening.

President, Di Cale, recalled that the skittles evening with Mathon WI at the Royal British Legion had been very enjoyable and amazingly, produced two winners, Margaret Ainscough from Mathon, and Pat Brewer from Cradley, so honour was saved for both villages.

The WI will be very busy in the next few months. We plan to meet for a tour of the house and garden at Croome Court on May 13, with the chance to have lunch in the 1940’s canteen. This trip is open to members’ friends and families, so please contact Pat Brewer if you are interested.

The following week, there is an orchid walk and lunch in the Village Hall, cost £5. We hope that you will join us for the lunch even if you do not wish to walk. Again, the day is open to friends and families of members. Please contact Pat Brewer. Finally, the regular meeting of the book club will be on May 6 at the home of Cathy Bannister.

The speaker, Rita Kearsay, works at Smiths of Newent, auctioneers and valuers. Rita had displayed eleven objects on tables, including an art nouveau vase, a tortoise table bell, a brandy warmer, and two vesta cases. Members were asked to identify and describe the objects, and establish their dates, value and origins. Even with the aid of a magnifying lens, a guide to hallmarks, and a lot of discussion, all found this pretty challenging. Members found the values of some very collectable items truly surprising.

Rita later described how the internet had introduced worldwide viewing and bidding, and gave some good advice about what to look for at sales, although on the evidence of our quiz answers, few would manage to make successful bids in an auction.

The May meeting will be on May 6. This is the regular Resolutions meeting, when members learn the background to the resolution chosen to be discussed at the WI conference later in the year. It is planned to follow this with a talk by Dulcie Karadia on the history of saris, including a demonstration of putting on a sari. There will also be a plant swap and sale, so please bring some plants and cuttings.

Please note: At present we hope to meet in the Village Hall, but due to uncertainty about the date of the general election at the time of going to press, we may move to the venue to Cradley School, as the Village Hall will be used as a polling station. Watch the WI notice board for an announcement nearer the date!