An interesting and active year has again been enjoyed by the members of West Down W.I.

Average attendance at meetings has been 21 and members have enjoyed a varied programme of talks and demonstrations, from rolling and boning a chicken, the work of a police dog handler and the work of a coast guard, to Barum pottery and the evacuation of children during World War Two to North America. A demonstration of rag rugging proved to be interesting though not everyone's taste. But the visit by the ladies from Sainsburys with their exotic fruit and other delights proved to be very popular.

A medley of poems and carols was enjoyed at Christmas followed by a New Year lunch in January, again at the Commodore Hotel. At the Resolution meeting we considered the plight of bees and also enjoyed looking at photographs of "the way we were".

The 60th birthday celebration was a resounding success when some Lundy Group members and various friends joined us for a meal followed by slides of past W.I. activities in the village.Another highlight of the year was the visit to Highgrove where we had an interesting tour of the gardens. Another garden tour was made to Rosemoor for our annual outing.

Craft sessions have continued during the winter months and have been well supported since they moved to the afternoons in members' homes. Crochet, beadwork, and gift boxes were tackled and there was also a mini knit- in with a raffle to support the Hospice before we joined Woolacombe for a days knitting event.

A MacMillan coffee morning was held in the village and members also filled 19 shoe boxes this year for the Samaritans' Purse charity. A bookstall was held at the A.G.M. to raise funds for A.C.W.W. And to boost our own funds a cake stall was held at the village Fayre and Dickensian evening, and we enjoyed a cream tea with a bring & buy stall and raffle at Toni's home.

 Members also supported the Church flower festival, the village memory day and the new tea room at Pipcott.Members have supported and much enjoyed several Federation events including calligraphy, digital photograph, patchwork and a painting class. Also the resolution meeting at Filleigh, the Spring Council meeting, the county quiz and the carol service at Exeter. Members took part in the Christmas shopping trip to Salisbury and two members visited RHS Wisley and Hampton Court Flower Show.

Members also joined the Lundy Group for the spring and autumn meetings, for a pancake race (one by one of our members!) and also for the North Devon carol service- preceded by fish & chips!

Again a busy and enjoyable year with something to suit everyone.