Our speaker was Pam Harcourt from Knaresborough. She had been a Tiller girl, joining the troupe in the 1950s. We heard how John Tiller had had the idea to train a troupe of girls with the help of his wife who kept an eye on the important details ie clean finger nails! Any girl who could claim to be Tiller trained could get a job in any theatre anywhere in the world. Pam began work first of all in pantomime, earning five pounds ten shillings a week. She had worked in various theatres up and down the country, staying in some very mixed accommodation. Famous names from the past were mentioned, for example Norman Evans, Charlie Chester and Eric Sykes, as she had played alongside quite a few celebrities during her career. Having performed for the BBC and being in the first show of Saturday Night at the London Palladium, Pam had enjoyed her chosen career very much, and later she had felt very honoured to perform in two Royal Variety Shows. We were able to see photographs of the troupe in their glittering costumes. When asked by a WI member if she could still do the high kicks, she demonstrated without hesitation, concluding with the words "once a Tiller girl, always a Tiller girl."

Ladies were dressed in the 1920's fashion, which was the flapper era, and there were some wonderful, creations with feathers in abundance! The tables looked very colourful with decorations, and a quiz had been set out to fill in the time between the first course and the dessert. Photographs of mothers from the year were displayed for members to have a go at guessing which member belonged to which mother. Malcolm Horne was the official photographer for the evening as we all posed for the institute photograph.

Toasts were given before the meal to the Queen, who is of course a member of the WI and to Arkendale WI past, present, and future. Members had all contributed to the meal with lots of choices both in the first and the second courses. There was a beautifully decorated birthday cake which had been made by Eileen Houseman and iced by Betty Morland. The decorations had been made by members. The cake was cut by Eileen who was the longest serving member of Arkendale WI, she had joined in 1963. She said that the institute was founded by Miss Faircliff, the village school teacher in 1929, and meetings had been held in the school. Various classes were run at the meetings, namely basket making, glove making, quilting and the curing of rabbit skins! When she had looked through the institute scrapbook memories came flooding back of past outings taken by the members to Holland, Margate and Paris. Eileen concluded her speech with the words "the best part of being a Wl member is that of being part of a national organisation and the friendship of our very own WI in Arkendale, long may it continue."

Judith Howe along with. Kathryn, Abi and Sam, provided the musical entertainment. Judith sang songs from the year and the dancers tempted our feet to tap along with them. So much so, that when volunteers were needed, four ladies rushed on to the floor. Wondering why they had been so keen when the young dancers proceeded to demonstrate the steps of the Charlston! The dance proved not too difficult after all as the pace was a little slower than anticipated!

All the ladies were given a piece of the cake and a rose to take home with them. Susan. Riley thanked the president and members, and guests expressed their enjoyment of the evening. The 80th birthday party had been celebrated in style with fun and laughter abounding, but most of all with friends, in a new building where the WI will meet for many more years in the future.

The next monthly meeting will be held in Arkendale Village Hall at 7.30 pm on. Wednesday 4th November when Malcolm Horne will be our speaker on Oases and Mirages of Morocco. This will be the Annual Meeting.

Two teams of four will represent our institute at the pub quiz to be held at Bilton Cricket Club.

Our next meeting on 7th October will be the 80th anniversary party when the committee will be organising the supper and the setting out of the hall for the evening. Quite a number of visitors would be attending this event. Members were asked to take along a photograph of a mother circa 1930.

L We spent an enjoyable time making decorations for our anniversary cake under the guidance of a very talented lady. It was quite time consuming making the tiny flowers and berries but very enjoyable, especially seeing the end results which would go towards the decoration of the cake. The cake had been made by Eileen and Betty had iced it.

Mary and Joan served a lovely supper and the raffle was drawn. The meeting closed at approximately 9.30 p.m.

Jean welcomed members and visitors to the meeting and a special welcome to Diane Whelan and her granddaughter, Isy. We were familiar with the beautiful floral displays done by Diane, especially in Ripon Cathedral. She began her demonstration with a pedestal arrangement that could be used for a wedding ceremony. All the greenery used for the framework of the displays had been sourced from her garden with various wild herbs .

Isy proved an efficient assistant, and as Diane worked on each display, Isy told us about the various uses of the herbs in medieval times. Sorrel was a most prized vegetable and often appeared on Henry VIII's table. The history of the wedding cake was also very interesting. Gladioli and lilies were used in the pedestal display and tips were passed about the removal of pollen stains. Diane used some lovely silk orchids. These were white edged with a deep pink and had been used in one of the displays at her daughter's wedding. The wedding dress was on view as were the various accessories and some photographs, along with wedding photographs from the 1930s. All the completed displays were really lovely and some ladies had the lucky raffle tickets for them.

The vote of thanks was given by Katie, after which the business was kept to a minimum. It was noted that our September meeting will be held in Minskip Village Hall and not the new one at Arkendale.

This will be on September 2. However, the Group meeting will be held in the new hall at Arkendale on September 15 and members will be hostesses for the evening.

A letter regarding Aldborough Show had been received, thanking everyone for their help, and a profit of £780 had been made.

Our 80th celebrations will take place on October 7 and we were asked to take along a photograph of mothers circa 1930. An invitation had been received from Aldborough, Boroughbridge and Dunsforth WI to their meeting on September 9 when Nigel Harrison, BBC Radio York's gardening guru, will speak on the magical gardens of Japan.

Roecliffe WI are having a coach trip to Manchester on November 28 to see White Christmas with Aled Jones; cost, including travel and ticket, £43.75.

After lunch we were met at Sewerby Hall by a very helpful gentleman who escorted us into the courtyard and told us how to find our way to various places within the grounds. There are fifty acres altogether but we only covered the lovely walled gardens and the small zoo. The roses were just beginning to bloom, some delicately perfumed. Later we toured the hall where there were lots of interesting items, photographs, etc relating to the history of Bridlington and the surrounding Yorkshire Wolds area. Refreshments were taken in the clock tower cafe before our departure at five o'clock. It had been a very enjoyable day out, arid Pat was thanked for making all the arrangements and ensuring that everything had gone according to plan.

On the way home ideas for more outings were discussed ensuring that our institute was not just a once a month meeting, but open to ideas to promote friendship and other activities including crafts etc amongst our members. As we left the coach we were able to see that the new hall at Arkendale was making good progress, but it would be a little while yet before we can meet there so our next meeting will still be at Minskip Village Hall on Wednesday Ist July 2009 at 7.30 pm.

Our outing will leave the Bluebell Arkendale at 9.45am on June 3 and lunch will be taken at Sewerby Grange before a tour of Sewerby Hall and gardens in the afternoon.

The resolution to be discussed at the Annual General Meeting this year concerns the decline in the numbers of honey bees. This is due to a mite which originated in Asia and now infects the bees in our country. The resolution urges the Governement to increase funding for research into the health of bees as bees are essential in many ways relating to our food. The members voted in favour for the resolution and the result would be passed to the institute sending a representative to the meeting.

The Spring Council Meeting in Richmond had been attended by Averil and on behalf of our institute she had accepted the certificate commemorating eighty years of Arkendale WI. This will be displayed in the new village hall when it is completed.

Invitations had been received from Roecliffe WI to a Fabulous Fifties evening in Cornonation Hall on May 30 and also one from Marton-cum-Grafton to an evening with Nigel Harrison of Radio York. This would be in the village hall on May 14 at 7.30pm cost £3.

Our group meeting will be held on May 19 at Coronation Hall when a good attendance was hoped for to hear a talk by a representative from Billinghams Sugar. Guests welcome to this meeting.

The Aldborough Show will be held on Sunday, July 19 and helpers were needed for the refreshments.

Helen Chapman as the speaker for the evening. She had begun her working life in a bail hostel in West Yorkshire later moving to Harrogate where she found that North Yorkshire had one of the lowest crime rates in the country. Her job was Bail Information Officer. Eventually when the government decided to allow more funding for the training for more probation officers, Helen was able to train for work that she really wanted to do. The training was quite intense but she completed this and started work as a probation officer.

At the present time Helen is working the with the Youth Justice System which is made up of different officers from other services including the police, the health service etc.

They focus on trying to identify problems early in a young offender’s life in order to make a positive difference so that hopefully the person won’t continue into adulthood.

We gained a lot of information from the talk and various questions were put to Helen. She was thanked by Sarah and Audrey and Maragaret served an delicious supper.

Our next meeting will be our outing, but in July we will be learning Tai Chi with Lisa Raper. Do come along on July 1 at 7.30pm and see what Tai Chi can do for you. Contact Tel: 01423 340173

Jean introduced Mrs Jean Welch from Fairtrade who gave a very informative talk which began with a story about orphans in Kenya, and how people in the third world could be lifted out of poverty if everyone in our country gave just £1 a week. Many millions have been lifted from poverty since Fairtrade was started. Danielle, Mrs Welch's granddaughter who had come along to help, was eager for us to know that the more we send out the message that we are buying Fairtrade products, then the large multi-nationals will get the message to sell those products because people prefer to buy them. We can be sure that the money always goes where it should if we purchase goods with the recognised logo of Fairtrade. It was explained to us how the producers of the goods meet a buyer and how a fair price is agreed so that everyone concerned is happy with the outcome. Mrs Welch had supported Fairtrade for ten years and had watched it grow. She had also visited some of the plantations, and was obviously dedicated to her work of promoting all the various goods that can be purchased with the Fairtrade logo.

Margaret Beal thanked Mrs Welch and Danielle. Supper was served by Sarah and Mary and the raffle was drawn.

At Minskip Village Hall on Wednesday, July 2, Eunice Cransfield is to tell us about "Science in a Shopping Basket."

Later in the month on Sunday, July 20, it is the annual Aldborough and Boroughbridge Show. As always this promises to be a great day out for all the family with the usual WI marquee for tea, coffee and cakes.

On August 6, there is to be a Garden Party at Rowangarth, Arkendale Road, Ferrensby.

All are welcome, just bring along your favourite savoury, salad or sweet dish for a Pot Luck Supper. The time is half an hour earlier than usual, 7pm to take advantage of the evening sunlight. Arrangements are in hand to hold the supper indoors in the unusual event of the weather being inclement.

Andy Barton is making a return visit to the WI on Wednesday, September 3, in order to demonstrate the Making of Willow Lanterns. Do join us and have a try for yourself.

Anyone wishing to join the WI for the remainder of 2008 can pay the subscription for 2009 immediately and thus enjoy the benefits of 15 months subscription for the price of 12 months. Good to see a bargain in these days of rising prices.

If you would like further information about any of the above activities then please call our President, Jean Stokes on 01423 340517.

The committee hope you all have a lovely summer with no flooding this year. Vivienne Glover.