Plants and Animals of Hertfordshire - 21 April 2005

Due to an unexpected stay in hospital, our original speaker for the WI meeting was unable to join us on Thursday 21st April but fortunately a colleague of his, Simon O'Dell stepped in to fill the breech at very short notice. Simon is a volunteer with the Council for National Parks of which there are twelve in England and Wales. The aim of the organisation is to conserve the natural beauty and wildlife of the area and to help us enjoy the natural environment, plus recreation, conservation and protection. The Lake District is the largest with the Peak District being the second most visited National Park in the world.

The Home Front - 15 April 2005

A full hall gathered to listen to Alan Payne talk (Friday 15 April) on the Home Front and show his wonderful collection of artifacts. Several of the audience had memories of the times and Alan was thrilled to be offered a stirrup pump afterwards to add to his collection. Afterwards everyone had a chance to look more closely (and if certain men looked rather too closely at Jane we'll keep quiet about it!) and enjoy wartime recipe biscuits with their tea and coffee. £97 was raised towards the forthcoming VE day celebrations.