President Betty Moxon welcomed members and guests to a packed Village Hall for the March meeting and reminded them that the Seniors' Meeting is to be held on 18^th March with a musical theme.

The W.I are also holding an Elstead Open Gardens Day on Sunday 15^th June when local gardens will be open, with tea available at some. The proceeds will go to this year's Charity, Elstead Village Hall.

Betty also reported that she had spent the day in London at the National Conference on the 90@90 Programme which discussed many matters including climate changes, with speeches from the Government Climate Change Minister Joan Ruddock and Rosie Boycott who now runs a smallholding rather than editing national newspapers. 

Graham Cornick of Hydestile Resident Animals was the speaker this month.  He said that he and his wife had been caring for animals for over 30 years, mostly deer, foxes, badgers and birds and stressed that people must respect wildlife as they suffer a lot of cruelty.  The hall was entranced as he introduced some of the animals in his care - "Jade", a gorgeous docile German Shepherd Dog, "Mr Johnston" a European Eagle Owl who flew twice around the hall, "Doris" & "Dolly", 2 pole cat ferrets, "Sarah" and "Marty" 2 barn owls, and "Josie" a tawny owl.  The last animal he introduced was a hedgehog which had been rescued, minus one leg and blind.   Mr Cornick was given a well deserved show of appreciation for his talk.

The competition - an animal brooch was won by Ursula Dunlop.

The next meeting will be on 3^rd April when the speaker will Mr A McElwee talking about "Behind the Scenes with the National Trust". 

Do come and join us at Elstead Pavilion Thursley Road for ladies cricket coaching. We are all beginners so this will be lots of fun and all ladies are welcome to join the team. We start every Friday in April and throughout the summer, From 6.45 pm - 8 pm. Please feel free to contact me on 07789 806 953 and I hope to see you there.