57 people attended the Village Hall for the October meeting and President, Betty Moxon welcomed 3 guests.

Betty mentioned that a number of members had attended the Surrey Federation Meeting in Dorking and they all enjoyed the main speakers - Sheila Dibnah (widow of Fred) the steeplejack and steam engine enthusiast, and Paul Whitaker a deaf musician, who was such a hit when he appeared 2 years ago.  They also heard about the success of the "Let's Cook" scheme which runs courses on cooking and healthy eating for young Mums.

The next meeting is the Farnham Group Meeting at the Memorial Hall on 15^th October when the speaker is Andy Hughes, talking about being a radio newsreader, which should be very interesting.

A coffee morning will be held on 17^th November to raise money for a W.I bench in Thursley Road Recreation ground and the last charity fund raising event in aid of the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice is a Beetle Drive on 12^th November. 

Betty also reminded everyone to put their names down for the annual Christmas Lunch on 15^th December, and this time there will be a selection of delicious puddings made especially by one of the W.I members.

The speaker for the afternoon was Malcolm Wells from Canine Partners who gave a most interesting talk.  Puppies are purchased at 7-8 weeks old at a cost of approximately £450 and it takes 18 months for them to be fully qualified dogs, able to answer 108 commands.  When the dogs are fully trained the prospective owners then go on a 2 week residential course to bond with the dogs and learn all the commands.  Anyone who has a disability and is in a wheelchair could benefit enormously by having a Canine Partner.  The breeds of the dogs are normally retrievers, labradors or poodle crosses because of their soft mouths., and their working life is normally between 9 & 10 years. 

The competition "A picture of a favourite pet" was won by Tricia Lowton.

The next meeting will be the A.G.M on 5^th November at the Village Hall and visitors are welcome.

Elstead Afternoon WI have just won the Farnham Group Competition for the first time ever since it was first held in 1960. And we have a cup to prove it, which will in due course have our name engraved on the side!

The Farnham Group is made up of WI's in Farnham and its surrounding villages. It has meetings every 6 months and every 2 years a competition between members at the autumn meeting. So this year as well as enjoying an entertaining talk about the life of a radio newsreader, we were judged on our display of an invitation to supper, a floral arrangement around a candle, 5 cheese straws, chutney and a glass of homemade cordial. Congratulations to Pam Duke, Jennifer Hearn, Beryl Jeffrey, Christine Welland, Joan Dalton and Betty Moxon for a prize winning entry - beautiful and tasty.

PS
"Have fun for a good cause! Elstead Afternoon WI invite you to a Beetle Drive in aid of the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice on Thursday 12^th November at 2.30 pm in the Village Hall. Cost £4.00 to include tea and cake."