Welcomed 19 members to the Arlesey Women s Institute for the first meeting of the New Year on Tuesday, January, 9, which started with a minute silence for members to remember the life of Mrs Peggy (Margaret) Hawkes, whose funeral was held in St Peter s Ch

Welcomed 19 members to the Arlesey Women's Institute for the first meeting of the New Year on Tuesday, January, 9, which started with a minute silence for members to remember the life of Mrs Peggy (Margaret) Hawkes, whose funeral was held in St Peter's Church earlier in the day. Mrs Hawkes joined the WI at the tender age of 14 (no one knows how) and remained a member for many years. It was her drive and enthusiasm which saw the WI Hall rise from the ashes of the fire of 1981. As she said, she was an Arlesey girl and it is apt that she is buried in St Peter's Churchyard. The members then sang Jerusalem and the various items of business were discussed, including that it is nominations night next month for both committee and officers and subscriptions are due. The committee has arranged a very diverse and interesting programme for the New Year, so do come along. Tea and biscuits were served by Mrs Greta Bosworth and Mrs Barbara Sheils. The speaker for the evening was Mrs Sonia Banks, the manager of the charity Hospice at Home Volunteers. This charity is based at Ampthill, visits families who care for terminally ill or elderly relatives to give the carers a break to do whatever they want for an hour or two, even if it is only to go to sleep for a while without one ear and one eye open, but perhaps the most important thing is they know how to listen and anyone in the family can speak to them in total It was really interesting and informative talk and quite a lively discussion took place afterwards. The next meeting Nominations Night is on Tuesday, February 13 at 7.30pm when Richard Revels presents his slides of the Bedfordshire countryside.