WI: Fabric Fantasy to Fashion Fun' was the name of the talk given by Evonne Johnson from Ottery St Mary at the June meeting of Yarcombe WI. Joan Ewins gave the vote of thanks. Dorothy Miller ran the draw which was won by Maggie Lane and Shirley Briant, and Doreen Parris and Joan Ewins provided the refreshments.

Joan Ewins gave an excellent report on her journey to London and the WI AGM which was held in the Albert Hall.

The meeting also approved the writing of a letter to Margaret Beckett outlining the plight of women in Zimbabwe whose life expectancy is only 35 years. There was just time for members to rack their brains and work out the clever cryptic clues about British Towns and Cities for the Social Half Hour which had been thought up by Sheila Major.

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Coach Trip: Horrendous weather during the afternoon worried everyone who boarded the coach to Exmouth on June 22. Fortune smiled and the weather was perfect. The coach arrived at 7pm when passengers embarked on the Tudor Rose for the journey at 7.30pm. The boat went along the sea front and then back into the river with an interesting commentary pointing out the villages, boats, buildings and wildlife on either side. The next WI outing will be to Compton Acres and Poundbury on Saturday, September 15.

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Patronal Festival: The Patronal Festival of Yarcombe Parish Church fell on Sunday, June 24 when St John the Baptist's Day was celebrated in style. Rev Nigel Freathy had arranged a special service incorporating the blessing of the new bell ropes which have recently been hung. Grateful thanks are extended to those who sponsored all six ropes.

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Whist Drives: Two whist drives have been held recently in the Jubilee Hall. The first saw prizes selected by Lesley Pidgeon, and resulted in wins for Mary Jeffreys, Rosemary Cleverdon, Pat C., Mary Govier, Mary Grabham, Joy Symes, Stuart Govier, Jo Hammond, Ivy Seward, M. Grabham and Gordon. The second had prizes from Jill Dyer and family and the winners were Mary Jeffreys, Elsie May, Pat C., Mo Sparks, Rosemary Cleverdon, Pauline Wood, Mary Govier, Joan Roberts, Gordon, Jo, Jim Pye and Owen Cleverdon. Other prizes were won by Mr J. May, Mrs D. Bond, Mrs P. Wood, Mrs E. Lane and Mr C. Retter. Owen Cleverdon acted as MC for both events.