BURTONWOOD WI held their monthly meeting on April 13 in the Methodist Church Hall.

The meeting was opened with the singing of Jerusalem.

Sylvia our president welcomed everyone, and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

This followed with a discussion on the correspondence received from Cheshire Federation which included information on Denman centenary bursaries for 2016, county visit to Denman and the Cheshire resolution form.

Received from national federation was the annual review for 2013/2014, information on members open day in London, resolution brief 2015, and the Denman brochure.

The Treasurer then gave her report.

Our forthcoming outings were then discussed which included the visit to Haigh Hall in April and Gawsworth Hall in July.

Transport is being arranged to visit the Aboretum in late July, when we will have the opportunity to see the bronze statue of the land army girls.

Mrs Jean Harding our speaker for the evening was then introduced.

Jean is the representative for the Cheshire Federation for ACWW (The Associated Country Women of the World – working with women world-wide).

ACWW was established in 1933 when it was agreed that everyone should contribute one penny to the funds, hence the name 'pennies for friendship' as it is known within the WI.

Every woman in the WI is a member which enables us to raise funds to help women with projects all over the world.

Jean gave examples of some of the work carried out by ACWW such as better water supplies and sanitation projects, training for women regarding food production, scholarships and small businesses, to name a few, in such countries as Cameroon, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and South Africa.

The latest project is to be in Cameroon entitled ‘water relief which aims to relieve acute water stress in the Nuealeh community and surrounding villages.

Jean pointed out that our 'small change' can bring a 'big change' to the lives of people all over the world.

Sylvia thanked her for her inspiring and interesting talk.

Following refreshments, the raffle was drawn and competition winners announced.

Members were reminded about the walk in the village followed by coffee on April 20 and all interested members to meet at the Chapel House for 10am.

Our next meeting with be on Monday, May 11, commencing 7.30pm, in the Methodist Church Hall, Phipps Lane, when our guest speaker will be Mr Jim Collier talking on the ‘Show Box Story’.

All visitors are welcome.

The meeting was closed and the National Anthem was sung.