President Betty Moxon welcomed over 64 members and visitors to the Village Hall for the April meeting and reminded members that it was their last chance to register their interest in a bursary to attend a course at Denman College. 

Betty also mentioned that a member, Barbara Bartlett, was getting married at the end of the month and a small token of a garden plant was presented to her.

Members were invited to sign up for various events during the next few months, namely a boat trip to Runnymede in May, Midsummer Magic at Wisley in June, a Jacket Potato Lunch in a member's garden in July, and the annual summer outing to Parham House, also in July. 

The speaker was Andrew McElwee, General Manager for 7 years at Polesdon Lacey, a National Trust property who gave a very amusing talk about life behind the scenes.  He said that the house had over 250,000 visitors a year, and told of one lady who, on discovering that the house was shut on a Monday, insisted that they open especially for her as she was "the greatest benefactor of the National Trust"!  Another gentleman complained in the tea room that his scone only had 14 currants!  Mr McElwee said life at Polesdon Lacey was never dull and that the dedicated volunteers of over 200 were outstanding.   He was given a well deserved show of appreciation for his talk.

The next meeting will be the Resolution Meeting on 1^st May.