Its not every day that a letter arrives from No 10 Downing Street, so it was a real surprise to get one in July inviting me to a reception "to celebrate the contribution that people make every day in support of their local environmental wildlife projects and organisations".  Silenced me for several minutes!

Although the weather in July was not brilliant, the 22^nd was a nice day and I turned up in Whitehall to find a long queue of people waiting to go through the security checks to get into Downing Street. We had to show photo ID (good old bus pass!). One Scotsman even had to put his sporran through the bag-checking machine. There were people from all kinds of organisations, wildlife trusts, Sustrans, conservation volunteers, National Trust, RSPB etc and a good contingent of WI members from around the country.

We were ushered into No 10 and through to the garden where we were plied with drinks and
canapés, while talking to all sorts of people. I was especially pleased to meet the women who had set up a community renewable energy company in Oxford, the man who looked after Stonehenge and the conservation volunteers from Northern Ireland who had left home at 3 am to be there! Some people were surprised to find the WI there, so it was a good opportunity to tell them about the way the WI reflects members' concerns and was a major environmental campaigner now with mandates from members to campaign on climate change, renewable energy, reducing packaging and most recently saving bees. And about the work done locally in initiatives like the eco-teams (which we had in Elstead), and encouraging members to do their bit in saving the planet. Building our house to be as eco-friendly as possible has made me an example of a WI member doing her bit.

The Prime Minister appeared and seemed to shake hands with and talk to everyone. He told us that his children enjoyed the garden, which had a trampoline and little wendy house in one corner. There were also some small raised beds with fruit and vegetables which were the special interest of the little Browns. He then gave a short speech celebrating what people do day in an day out without seeking recognition - a sentiment that was clearly very appreciated by his audience. He even invited us to leave through the Cabinet room which overlooks the garden. We took this opportunity and were able to sit down and have an impromptu "cabinet meeting" - and yes I did sit in the PM's chair - the only one with arms!

At the end of the afternoon had our pictures taken on the iconic steps of No 10. It had been a very special afternoon and official photographs were posted on the Photobox website so we had the chance to see them and buy any that we wanted.

Mrs Inez Lascelles gives thanks to all the kind people of Elstead who remembered her 100^th Birthday

If you have not yet done so there is still time to make up a Shoe Box for the Romanian Orphans

You will find a leaflet giving details at the back of the church.

This year the Shoe Boxes have to be in to me by the end of October - In time for me to deliver them to Worthing by the first week in November.

I Thank You in anticipation,