Elstead Afternoon WI met again after the summer break with 58 members and 4 guests attending. Anne Moon, the President, welcomed everyone with the good news that members who had had operations or accidents over the summer were now recovering well. She wished bon voyage to longstanding member Maud Butler who was going to live in South Africa and presented her with a card and small memento.

Anne reported that the lovely Baked Potato Lunch held in Eve's garden had raised £160 for our charity, the Pavilion. A Quiz Evening was to be held on 15^th September, also to raise money for the charity, and all members were urged to come. During the summer Venetia Pearce had arranged two very successful trips, one to Windsor Castle and another to the Houses of Parliament.

The competition "A favourite quotation" was won by Jean Cherriman. The afternoon's talk was called "Public Speaking - It's a Laugh", and the speaker, Neil Riley, kept us laughing while sharing his tips for successful public speaking. His advice ranged from starting with a funny story to break the ice, to making sure you arrive in good time to find the venue and if a mobile phone goes off just stop and look in a very pointed silence! All illustrated with witty anecdotes. He finished with saying that you needed to know when to finish and to leave your audience wanting more, which he did. Joan Dalton expressed everyone's appreciation.

Before a delicious tea, we all sang Happy Birthday to Betty Talbot who had her 92^nd birthday the next day.

The next meeting will be on 5^th October when the subject would be New Zealand and the competition an Antipodean wood-carving or ornament.