Members enjoyed a sunny afternoon walking along the beautiful river to Waverley Abbey and visiting the ruins, followed by tea at Manor Farm Craft Centre, Seale.  This was our August 'Out and About' trip where we spend an afternoon on the third Tuesday of each month visiting local places of interest.  On the 20^th September we are meeting at Godalming Council Offices where Joan Wigley will be telling us all about the large Millennium Tapestry that is displayed outside the Council Chambers.

At our September meeting in the URC Hall we were delighted to welcome new member, Betty Fields, and to congratulate Caroline and Richard Poyntz-Wright on their Golden Wedding Anniversary.  It was reported that the Garden Party organised by Sue Holmes and Mary Williams, in aid of 'Stretch a Tenner' for Surrey Federation had been a very successful event despite the downpour that afternoon.  For our September walk we shall be meeting at the Green for a ramble over the fields above Elstead onto Royal Common, followed by lunch at The Woolpack.

All notices from Surrey Federation were in September's Surrey News and pinned to the notice board and our particular attention was drawn to the free computer sessions in October and the Christmas Carol Parties in December. 

Members had been asked to bring examples of their hobbies or collections to the meeting and tell us a little about them.  Ann Chandler displayed examples of her lovely canvas work, embroidery and a new pastime, watercolour painting.  Our President, May, showed us examples of delicate lacework and described some of her collection of decorative lace bobbins dating back over a number of years.  Jean had designed and made attractive cotton tops from remnants of material she had been given and Caroline, who is a member of the Royal School of Needlework, had on display her recent venture, a Jacobean design in soft blues and greys, using various embroidery techniques.  Susan had brought along a collection of crested china, particularly Shelley, and told us how the production of this china had flourished when Victorians began to go on holiday and brought it back as souvenirs.  A most unusual group of attractive handmade brooms from around the world had been collected by Joan who told us how she had bought her first Shaker example in a village in Pennsylvania and since then had been given some as presents from her widely travelled family and friends.  We all thoroughly enjoyed this friendly, sociable evening and look forward to the meeting on 5^th October when we will be celebrating our 31^st birthday.

Diane