June Meeting

President Jane Narborough welcomed everyone to the meeting introducing our guest past president, Liz Lloyd, who would chair the meeting. Jane also thanked the Birthday Party Committee for all the work they had put in to the celebration and special thanks to Chris for the lovely Cake and Sylvia for the invitations and souvenir programmes. She thanked other Committee members for their contributions also.

The success of the Party was discussed - it had been very enjoyable, the room was beautifully decorated with bunting and displays of craft work, the food was delicious and the entertainment by Ebony and Ivories was excellent. Jane reported that guests had come and congratulated her at the party on a wonderful afternoon. The money raised by the special raffle was £157 and on the book stall £21.80, this would be divided between Rhayader Branch of St John's Ambulance and the Rhayader Community Support Pilot Project to provide a weekly outing with tea and talk for those who were otherwise housebound.

As part of our 80 years celebrations we are sponsoring a prize for the under 6 years of age Fancy Dress at Rhayader Carnival this year and also one in the Rhayader & District Horticultural show to design a poster for the Show's 60^th Anniversary for those under 11 and 11 - 16 year olds.

The guest speaker for the evening was Ruth Lloyd daughter of our treasurer Margaret. She recalled being on a WI carnival float when just six. Ruth works for the V&A Museum in London and she gave members a wonderful insight into how the V & A is set out.

The museum was developed in 1852 for the 'Great Exhibition' which was held in Hyde Park and still run by the original commission. There are 9 miles of galleries and it covers three sites. Ruth explained the many departments and their diversity. As well as many displays on various arts and histories they employ artists in residence including ceramic workers and other skilled art and craft workers, involving activities and interpretation which are used to help educate visitors and enable them to participate. Ruth worked as co-ordinator on the new education centre.

Shirley Jones thanked Ruth for an insight into the V&A and for the slides used to illustrate the work that goes on.

The raffle was won by Ann Prior and the competition winners for my favourite piece of china, judged by Ruth were Julia Farmer, Shirley Jones and Beryl Roberts.