Newchurch WI By Trudy McDonal Newchurch held its first meeting of 2012 on February 8 in Newchurch Parish Hall. President Sylvia Brown welcomed members and several visitors and thanked Celia Crowe for the beautiful basket of flowers for the table. Ruth Briggs and June Osborne were tea hostesses for the evening. There was sad news of the death of Barbara Trevor, a much-loved member of many years standing. Sylvia also told us of the new project of ACWW (our Pennies For Friendship scheme) - helping women's projects in Cameroon. She had news of another WI project – making cushions for the athletes at the Olympics. Our secretary Jean Riley gave out a list of dates for diaries. On March 7 there will be a theatre trip and our spring coffee morning is on March 28. Another theatre visit to see Wonderful Town will be on April 3 and Mosslands Group meets on April 4. Paddy Poulter then announced another photography competition in September, with entries to be judged by our members.

Our speaker was Betty Hayhurst who told us how five friends and herself, all members of the Inner Wheel, applied to appear on the BBC Quiz Eggheads. To their surprise they came through an audition in November 2008 and found themselves on Monday December 8 at the BBC TV centre in London. They chose their team name – Five Alive - and also tops to wear for the programme. The BBC staff pressed the tops and provided refreshments and make-up and hairdressing. The team had some lucky breaks but finally lost to the regular Eggheads.

The ladies enjoyed their day. Of course they regretted not having winnings for the Inner Wheel's good causes but the whole experience had been interesting and fun. The main drawback afterwards was keeping silent for 10 months until the quiz was broadcast! Betty then judged the decorated eggs in our competition and chose Olive Lee as winner, with Paddy Poulter and Freda Wilcock coming second and third.

On March 14 at 7.30pm David Tomlinson will speak about The Staff of Life. Contact Jean Riley on 762722 for more details.