HERE'S your WI and YCA reports from Ryedale.

WI REPORTS

Marton and Normanby - The May meeting was opened by the president, Jean Bell, who introduced speaker Christine Pietrowski who gave a talk about superstitions and their origins. After supper and a raffle, members held a minute’s silence for Mary Sellars from Marton, who had passed away earlier in the month. She was one of our founder members of the branch in 1959. She had been inspirational and much-loved secretary for almost 51 years and only missed three meetings in all of that time. Jean and Val reported back to members about the spring council meeting at Scarborough College. Ryedale Show was discussed and a treasurer’s report was given by Wendy Fielding. Claire Lund, the events secretary, discussed the details of our next meeting, a visit to York Minster and the stonemason’s yard on Wednesday, June 1.

Welburn and Bulmer - The May meeting was a coach outing to the extensive gardens and house at Newby Hall. Members also went to the café for coffee and lunch. A meeting was held on the return journey on the coach. It is 90 years since the WI was founded and the branch is celebrating with a tea party in Welburn Village Hall on Wednesday, June 8 from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Representatives from neighbouring WIs, past members and members of the two villages are being invited. Yvonne Myers is sending out invitations and it is hoped that to ascertain numbers, people will phone Mrs Myers to say they will come. Margaret Fenby is co-ordinating refreshments and asks members to contact her with what they might bring. Margaret Wilson is assembling a display table recording events in the organisation’s 90-year-old history.

YCA REPORT

Rillington and District - Sixteen members and three guests were present at the May meeting of Rillington and District Yorkshire Countrywomen's Association held in the village hall. Sue Butler introduced the speaker Tony Ives who last year spoke about his cycle ride across America. This time he talked about his cycle ride from Toronto in Canada to Orlando, taking in Nashville and New Orleans where he could indulge his love of Blues and Country music. Caroline Neuff thanked Tony for his talk. Lorna Mastaglio sold tickets for the raffle. The business meeting followed with reports on the fashion show hosted by Sherburn branch and the Scarborough area lunch, both of which had been enjoyable events. Members were disappointed to hear there would be no summer lunch at Kirby Misperton this year. Names were taken for the June outing to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. The evening’s hostesses were Lynn Hodgson and Caroline Neuff.