Our Christmas club round-up includes a big turn-out at Marbury WI where members enjoyed a glass of wine while watching a demonstration of Christmas cookery by Sue Bradley, helped by Jeanette White.

There were delicious aromas around the hall as Sue cooked up a seasonal storm and was it coincidence that president Beverley Tanner then gave details of the Healthy Lifestyle Challenge organised by the national federation?

Liverpool University had sent an invitation to visit Ness Gardens during 2008 for the Year of Culture celebrations, and Yvette Openshaw will be at the Crafts for Crafters fair in Telford on January 25 to 27.

Sue judged the competition for mince pies and winners were Helen Mackin and Barbara Oakley. While the delicious dishes were won by Yvette Openshaw, Lynn Horton, Joyce Tucker, Mary Vernon and others.

Christmas also came early to Knowbury WI with singing by the Ludlow Larks, an informal mixed choir, who were warmly welcomed by new president, Chris Walker.

Led by Polly Bolton, songs included folk and Christmas songs from around the world with a highlight, a spirited rendition of an African song. And a haunting duet of the Coventry Carol by Polly and Kate Jones brought a tear to the eye. The WI meets again on January 10, 7.30pm when Professor Colin Fletcher will talk about his experiences in Samoa.

Ash and District WI ended its 60th anniversary year by looking back at beginnings.

The president and secretary blew the dust off the record and minute books to find that 80 members joined in 1947 when the annual subscription was 2s 6d.

At a meeting a year later it was decided that a canning machine should be bought for £12. Showing that recycling is nothing new, a letter from the Waste Paper Collection Service was read and it was agreed to ask them for sacks and rope for tying up the paper.

The sale of the paper raised £6 1s 6d for funds and members who took 5lb or more were rewarded with a penny bun. Eventually the penny bun, which featured often in the minutes, was hit by inflation and cost 3d. After so much history members enjoyed mince pies and carol singing.