We have had some interesting meetings in recent months and other activities.

April: Speaker Patricia Boyd with the subject Bantok House, near Wolverhampton - she is a member of the Friends and is always an entertaining speaker.

We are hoping to visit the house next springtime. We also enjoyed another skittles evening with fish & chip supper - nice prizes for winners.

May: Excellent talk and demonstration by Hazel Reynolds on, cheeses from Switzerland, especially gruyere - its many uses with delicious tasters.

June: Iris Reed spoke about ‘A girls best friend, diamonds’ - their appearances in high society, royalty and so on, showing photos of them being worn for special occasions.

Some members attended the 81st AGM held at the ICC in Birmingham - all aspects of TG dealt with.

Visiting speaker was Steve Cram.

Members also joined the National Concert held at the New Town Hall on the previous evening which was excellent.

July: Summer session finished with our 49th birhtday party held at the Hagley Country Club, Wassell grove - an enjoyable and friendly occasion - good choice of meal, birthday cake made by member Angela Baker, followed by entertaining items from members, quizzes etc.

Appropriate competitions held at meetings with lucky winners and always good raffles.

Guild singers have provided very good shows locally and ramblers have done walks from time to time.

We have contributed to Halesowen in Bloom - it all looks very nice!

After the August break we will be meeting on September 16 7.30pm at Halesbury School, Feldon Lane, speaker is John Billingham on WM Shenstone. New members very welcome.