THE BECK WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Aleathia opened our March meeting by introducing Frances Middleton who gave us a most interesting illustrated talk on 'Traidcraft in South Africa'. Traidcraft is of course, a Mail Order business and it was amazing to realise how many products are available to us either through Mail Order or purchase from known stores.

Frances joined a small party on a trip to South Africa, flying first to Cape Town from where they visited farmers growing vines, and various school children at their studies, all helped by the sale of wine, raisins,apricots etc., sold to Traidcraft.

The slides showed us spectacular scenery, brightly coloured flowers and terrific mountains, and then when the party travelled inland to Uppington on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, we were shown very different scenery, with unusually shaped trees. Have you heard of a quiver tree?

Later, when at the Cape of Good Hope, Frances had taken a shot of Robin Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. The party had visited the island and had seen Mandela's cell.

A most interesting and informative talk.

Frances judged the exhibits, a Mini Deco decorated with flowers attached to a bottle. 1st Ruth; 2nd Gill. Ruth won the raffle.

Next month - Monday 10th April at 7.30 p.m. in The Old School Room, Charlotte Philcox will talk to us on a Kitchen Garden - Past, Present and Future. The exhibit is a Vegetarian Sandwich. Hope to see you all.       Mary Humphrey