BIRCHWOOD WI celebrated its 25th birthday in June with a party.

Each member had been asked to bring a flower and then tell us all what the meaning of it was in the Language of Flowers which caused lots of laughter.

There was plenty to eat and drink and of course a lovely cake, followed by a quiz with the theme of flowers a good time was had by all.

At our July meeting we were transported to ice and snow by our speaker Malcolm Eldridge.

Malcolm kept us all enthralled with his slides and talk on his 1997 adventure The Alps from End to End.

His description of his ‘stroll’ up and down 38 mountain peaks, walking 800 miles in 12 weeks, following in the footsteps of Sir Martin Conway a century earlier, had us all wondering where on Earth he had found his energy from.

We also admired the dedication of his wife who drove their motor-home thousands of miles from valley to valley to support him along the way.

We have trips to Lyme Park, Stockport Hat Museum and a theatre trip to the Lowry planned in the new year.

A number of us are also going to the WI Centennial Fair in Harrogate in September with the Mosslands Group.

We are looking forward to a social evening in August – our annual strawberry tea held at a member’s home.

Next meeting is September 9.

The speaker is Janet Bradshaw on the topic Nine Lives.

Visitors are welcome and meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month, 7.30pm at Birchwood College, Brock Rd, Birchwood. Cost is £1 for a cuppa and cake. Contact Carol 740150 for further information.