JULIE Davies, from Saundersfoot in Bloom and the Wombles, was guest speaker at the March meeting of St Issell’s WI.

Named after the fictional furry characters created by Elisabeth Beresford, Saundersfoot Wombles is a dedicated community volunteer group in Pembrokeshire focused on keeping beaches and streets clean.

After a welcome from president Diane Rigden, Julie started her informative and passionate talk advising that Saundersfoot in Bloom were going for gold again this year.

She said the Wombles were collecting old gloves, which the craft group which meets on a Tuesday will be embroidering and displaying on railings around the village, so if anyone has old gloves they no longer need, they will be gratefully received.

The Wombles undertook lots of beach cleaning and litter picks, and Julie had many items she and others had found on the beach, several of which would have been flushed down toilets, which she urged everyone not to do.

Julie also asked the ladies to cut up fruit and vegetable nets, which can otherwise get caught in birds’ feet or bind themselves around fish, causing much pain and often death.

Balloons are another hazard. Julie had so many things that had been collected on the beach - far too many to mention in this article - but she had some lego from a disaster in 1997, and toys which often came from children on ships. Her prize possession was a cap which had come from Maine in America, and had taken a year to end up on Coppet Hall Beach, and she had managed to track down its original owner.

Julie concluded her enthusiastic talk by asking ladies to help - even if it meant doing so from their own armchairs - to spread the word about beach cleaning and encourage those who can help to do so.

Having expressed the hope that the WI might be able to help with a gardening project when the weather improved, Julie was warmly thanked for her most interesting talk by Anne-Marie Littlewood who said: “Definitely, go for gold!”

Following refreshments, the business continued with Joyce Ludlow being thanked for the flowers for the top table; Joyce was offered condolences on the recent death of her sister but also congratulations on becoming a great grandmother. Janet Standing was the only birthday girl for March.

Sue reminded ladies that subscriptions are due in April and everyone has to sign a form before joining WI this year. The spring quiz was mentioned, and rehearsals were going well for Anything Goes on April 10. It was decided to have a coach, and there were some spare seats if any other WIs were interested.

Pam advised that the annual Meeting on June 4 will be streamed to the Regency Hall. Three ladies confirmed they will be attending the Wales conference at Aberystwyth. A letter was read requesting all WIs to donate £8 towards the cost of a hamper for the raffle at the National Eisteddfod, and this was agreed.

This month’s competition winner was Rachel Jones, and the lucky raffle winners were Mary Cavell and Sue Gould. Diane reminded ladies that the April meeting would be held in the evening, commencing at 7.15pm, and wished ladies a safe journey home.