MEMBERS were greeted by the mouth-watering aroma of a hotpot supper as president Jo Jordan welcomed everyone to the 50th annual meeting.

Secretary Maureen Simpson presented her 2004 annual report, in which she remarked the year seemed to have passed quickly, but had been very enjoyable.

Throughout the year members had enjoyed a variety of speakers, in particular Adam Partridge, of Bargain Hunt fame, who held everyone's attention on auctioneering. Members have helped to raise funds for others as well as themselves through coffee mornings, the village fun day, the village show and the 50th birthday "salmon and strawberry" lunch, where founder member Nancy Carter cut the cake.

Sarah Thomas and Alison Gardner organised another successful village show, and everyone enjoyed the scarecrow trail around the village organised by the project group.

The Denman Bursary has been taken up this year by Rose Williams and she has decided to tackle a 'Japanese twisting box', which she will no doubt be delighted to demonstrate on her return.

Outings secretary Helen Powell inspired members to visit gardens, supermarkets, demonstrations and of course 'Calendar Girls'. The ramblers continue to meet every month, as do the "soup and sandwich" group.