Summerhill
The December meeting was the Christmas Party which was held at the Wisemans Bridge Inn. A warm welcome was extended to Amroth WI and several guests who joined for the festivities. President Marlene asked Joyce to say Grace before all enjoyed a marvellous array of food from the buffet, the centrepiece of which was a beautifully dressed fresh salmon. Marlene gave thanks to Margaret Kemble and all the staff of the Wisemans Bridge Inn for the wonderful food and the excellent service they received. Thanks were also given to members for their support at both the Group Carol Service at Molleston and the Stepaside Chapel Carol Service where their choir performed admirably. Birthday wishes were given to Annie, who was also presented with a posy. Congratulations were given to Pam on the birth of her granddaughter and to Marlene on the birth of her grandson. The bursary to Denman College was then drawn, with Margaret Jones being the lucky recipient. Members were informed of a coffee morning at Stepaside School on Friday and asked to please support this. The motto chosen for 2007 was 'We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give'. Thanks to Josie for this. With the business concluded, everyone received their lucky dip gifts, and a wonderful selection there was! Joyce then introduced Keith Sandal, their entertainment for the evening. He was a star turn with comic singing which he accompanied by playing a variety of musical instruments. He also involved members in his routine, playing such items as the coconut shells and the very strange carols beans. He finished with a medley of Christmas songs which all joined in with. Marlene gave the vote of thanks for a very enjoyable performance. They were then treated to a lovely rendition of 'On a Starry Night' by the choir, ably accompanied by Sheila John on the keyboard. This was followed by a selection of carols and finished with the singing of 'Auld Lang Syne'. Marilyn Davies, representing Amroth WI, thanked Marlene and members for the kind invitation, stating they had had a very enjoyable evening. The next meeting will take place on January 8, 7 pm start, when the speaker will be Mike Gulliford talking about 'Aspects of Life'.
Kilgetty
On yet another wet evening, president Doreen Campbell welcomed everyone to the last meeting of the year. Apologies: Val Jenkins, Eileen Hammerton and Kath Breen. Illness: Audrey Hilling's daughter, Ceri, was due to attend an appointment with an oncologist in Harefield Hospital on the day after the meeting. Peg Williams's brother was feeling fine. Sympathy: June Thomas had lost a brother-in-law and Molly Lewis, a cousin. Birthdays: Audrey Hilling and Beryl Marsh. Congratulations: To Eileen Phillips for winning the cookery shield at the Narberth show and for completing the walk at Solva. Congratulations also to Jane Gilbert who had been given a certificate of achievement for services to the community and also an award for her Christmas window display, while Jules Floyd had received her certificate of hygiene. Thanks: To Molly Lewis for providing mince pies for the meeting, and to her husband, Bert, for mending a faulty light in the hall; to Peg Williams for various cleaning-up jobs; to Kath Barrett and Ken for putting up the decorations; to the ladies who had operated the human fruit machine at Stepaside School Bazaa; and to Audrey Hilling for the Christmas plant on the president's table. The minutes of the November meeting were read and signed and the county letter read and dates noted. The annual general meeting at the Regency Hall had been enjoyed by those members who had attended. The speakers had been excellent. Four members of the drama group had read a story at the group carol service in Molleston Church, and were performing again at the pensioners' party. The speaker for the evening was David Rye, an authority on folk costume, who had brought along many wonderful pictures of Breton and Cornish women in costume, which he put on display. His wife accompanied him and modelled some of the clothes. There were pictures of spectacular Breton lace head-dresses, and of the 'Furry' dance, held in Helston, Cornwall, every year. Doreen Campbell thanked Mr. Rye for his most interesting talk, and Mrs. Rye for her part in supporting her husband. Competition winners were Jules Floyd and Audrey Hilling, while the raffle was won by Peggy Williams and Rhona Jones. Cups of tea and mince pies were served by Beryl Marsh and Molly Lewis. At the January meeting, the speaker will be Julie Cooper MBE on 'Life in the Army' and the competition - A piece of blue and white china.
St. Issell's
President, Mary Lawrence, welcomed members of St. Issell's WI to the December meeting which commenced with the singing of Jerusalem. Diane Rigden was thanked for the flowers for the top table, and birthday wishes went to Pam Aldridge, Shirley Cunningham, Eileen Plester and Pat Poole. Secretary, Jean Roberts, read the record of the November meeting and treasurer, Joy Nixon, gave a financial report. Arrangements were made for the group carol service the following evening, and the county letter was read. It was decided to leave entries for the annual quiz until the January meeting, and discussion also took place regarding Anything Goes to be held next March, again a final decision being left until the new year. The Wales Conference in Rhyl in April and the AGM in London next June, together with the dates for the walk weekend, were also noted. Everyone then enjoyed a delicious Christmas buffet provided by members and served by the committee. Val King and her ladies then entertained members with a version of The Twelve Days of Christmas with some very colourful and original costumes. Christmas songs concluded a very enjoyable evening, with the competition for a wooden Christmas tree ornament being won by Brenda Harris and the raffle winners being Val King and Mary Lawrence. Jean Moores and helpers had been busy sorting cards from the post box and everyone went home with a gift from Santa's sack. The first meeting of 2007 will be held on January 11, when the speaker will be a representative from the Air Ambulance. Members were reminded to bring their subscriptions in a named envelope. President Mary wished everyone a healthy and peaceful 2007.
Templeton
The president, Mrs. Mair Davies, gave a summary of the annual council meeting held on November 15. A gift was presented to Mrs. Jean Jones Davies, who had served as president for the past five years. The programme for 2007 was discussed. The post- Christmas lunch will be held at the Bush Inn, Robeston Wathen, on January 26. A very interesting Christmas theme napery demonstration was given by Ms Julie Cooper MBE. This was followed by a vote of thanks by Mrs. Edith Burgess. Winners of the monthly competition and raffle were Mrs. Sylvia Watkins and Mrs. Olive Cho-Young, respectively. Templeton WI hosted the group carol service at Molleston Chapel on December 7. During the service, two Templeton WI members performed a choral item. The theme for the competition at the next meeting will be a Christmas card depicting a snowman.
Penally
The December meeting, the Christmas lunch, took place this year at Penally Abbey, which was beautifully decorated for Christmas. The president, Mrs. Iris Davies, gave a warm welcome to all the members and friends. The meal was very much enjoyed by everyone and it was a very memorable festive occasion. The new programme for the year was given out and gifts were collected to be distributed to homes for the elderly before Christmas. The special raffle was drawn and there were eight lucky prize winners. At the next meeting, at 2.15 pm, on January 9, at the Village Hall, a speaker from Air Ambulance will be coming and there will be a sales table. Any new members would be very welcome.
Manorbier and District
An 'extraordinary general meeting' was held last week to discuss the possible closure of the institute due to lack of members able to take office. However, this was resolved with the helpful advice of Judy Smith and Ann Newbury. Mrs June Glennerster has agreed to extend her presidency for a further year. Changes have been made and the institute will now meet every first Wednesday each month in the afternoon at 3 pm in the Parish Hall and a warm welcome will await old and, it is hoped, new members. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, January 3, at 3 pm.
Saundersfoot Saundersfoot WI met on Tuesday in the Regency Hall for the last meeting of 2006. Newly-elected president Jean Picton welcomed all present. After Jerusalem was sung, apologies for absence were noted. Birthday wishes were extended to Dot Ridley and birthday flowers presented. Jean Picton presented Gwen Newberry, as outgoing president, gifts to say thank you for all her work in the WI and the support given by her husband. Pat Wood was thanked for providing a plant for the table and donating as first prize in the raffle. As secretary, she then read the record of the November meeting. Matters arising were discussed and relevant points recorded. New correspondence was read out by Pat and Jean reviewed the County Newsletter. The visit to the Saundersfoot Footlights Christmas pantomime, Cinderella, was enjoyed by those who attended, as had the carol service held in Molleston Chapel. This concluded the business part of the afternoon. The committee helped by Sinah Bailey, then presented a short nativity play which as well as telling the traditional Christmas story, made the point that this time of the year can be a difficult for disadvantaged people such as the homeless. Tea and mince pies were served and the raffle drawn. There was no overall winner of the competition - a Christmas necklace. The result was a tie between the three entrants. Jean Picton organised a word game before the meeting closed with an exchange of seasonal greetings. The first meeting of 2007 will be at 2 pm on January 16 in the Sun Lounge of the Regency Hall.
Lamphey
The December meeting was held in the Village Hall. The members discussed the school gardens, the meeting at Saundersfoot and the proposed event '500' to be held in Carew on May 5. The president, Mrs. Joan Elliott, congratulated Laureen on her golden wedding. The speaker and flower demonstrator was Mr. Adrian Cook, with three of his beautiful Christmas arrangements going into the raffle. Thanks were expressed in the usual way. Winners of the best dressed wine bottle competition were: 1. Margery Doyle; 2. Ann Bailey; 3. Brenda Robinson. The Competition Cup was won by Margery Doyle, second Elizabeth Minchen, third Vicky Cole. Mulled wine and titbits were enjoyed by all. The Christmas dinner will be in February, while the January meeting will include line dancing. The competition will be the for most unusual bottle opener. The meeting closed with carol singing and the 'Twelve Days of Christmas'.
Lawrenny and Martletwy
The seven members who attended the annual council meeting in November thoroughly enjoyed the two guest speakers, Mr. Trevor Fishlock and Ms Kate Adie. After the business meeting on December 5 at Lawrenny Village Hall, members enjoyed a lunch with wine and crackers provided by members. The monthly competition, 'A snowman', was won by Mrs. Forse, 2. Mrs. Watts; 3. Mrs. Jenkins. The raffle was won by Mrs. Williams. Members will next meet at Lawrenny Village Hall on January 2 for a Beetle Drive.
Carew
New president, Mrs. Carol Cole, welcomed everyone to the December meeting. After the singing of Jerusalem, the monthly letter was read by secretary, Pat Arlott. This year's carol service was at Cosheston. The speaker for the evening, Wendy Williams, then had everyone working on Christmas candles and boxes, which were excellent. A very enjoyable evening tea was then served by Milton A ladies. A vote of thanks was given by Paula Ralff. Wendy then judged the competition for a home- made Christmas decoration: 1. Pat Arlott; 2. Gertrude Bleasdale; 3. Paula Ralff. The raffle was won by Bronwen Knox. Birthday girls for January - Diane Griffiths, Marjorie Davies, Diane Morgan and Brenda Harries. Thanks go to Sue Shaw for the night out at the Torch Theatre. The next meeting will be at Carew Hall, on January 3, at 7.30 pm.