WI PRESS REPORT – MEETING 27TH OCT 2011

After a particularly tuneful rendering of Jerusalem by 19 members and the speaker, Co-President June Leech opened the meeting with a very warm welcome back to Jean Irlam after her hospitalisation. The business included successful visits, literary lunches, art class news, future delights such as The Chester Federation of WIs’ Carol Service at Chester Cathedral on 7^th December and a shopping expedition on 9^th November. Connie Welton our Group representative gave her report which included an anecdote about a “flying apple pie”. Julie Haighton, our very active outings organiser, reported on recent and proposed trips.

The speaker, Mr George Eccleston, a retired GP, gave us a very detailed talk about Mary, Queen of Scots and her difficulties with men. Even those of us with a Scottish background learned something new; if only that she suffered badly from arthritis and nearly died from a gastric ulcer. It was made clear that her greatest weakness was that she depended heavily on others for support and that they frequently let her down. Her choices in men and those made for her were inevitably her downfall. Much controversy still surrounds this Queen who spent many years of her life imprisoned. It was interesting, however, to learn something of the character behind the standard myth of a sad, wronged and perhaps duplicitous woman. It made one want to read more about her.

After the speaker was thanked he joined us in mouth-watering refreshments. Those and the lovely flowers were provided by Helen Norbury and Bernie Byrne. The next meeting will be Thursday 24^th November when we shall have our Annual meeting followed by Christmas Dinner.