MEETING: President Mrs Myra Parker opened the Little Mill WI April meeting by welcoming the speaker Mr William Cross who spoke about The Carnarvons of Highclere Castle’. Members listened with interest as we have a visit arranged to visit Highclere Castle in July.

Highclere is situated on the Berkshire-Hampshire border near Newbury. It was originally known as “Bishop’s Clere” then “Alta Clere” and ultimately Highclere. The site is mentioned in the Domesday Book. There have been eight Earls of Carnarvon between 1793 and the present day. Highclere parkland was designed by Capability Brown between 1774 and 1777. The library has over 5650 books with the earliest dating to the 16th century.

Highclere Castle has been used as a set for a number of films and TV series from Robin Hood to Downton Abbey. Lord Carnarvon of Tutankhamun fame is buried on Beacon Hill overlooking Highclere.

Mrs Judith Arnold thanked the speaker on behalf of the members for a very interesting talk.

There was a discussion on the resolutions for the W.I. 2017 annual meeting - reducing microplastics in the environment or alleviating loneliness and isolation. Members will vote at our annual general meeting next month.

In addition to the speaker the competition ‘An old household item’ which was won by Mrs Mary Edwards.

Refreshments were provided by Mrs Sue Appleby, Mrs Corrin Livingstone and Mrs Mandy Whiteside. Our hostesses were thanked by Mrs Myra Parker.

The next Coffee Morning will be at The Hummingbird in Llanover on Tuesday April 18 at 10.30am.

If you are interested in the above please come along and join us at Little Mill Village Hall. We meet on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm.