HERE'S your WI reports from Ryedale.

Thornton-le-Dale - Margaret Smith, president, welcomed 30 members and two guests to the July meeting. Birthday cards were presented to Wendy Hutchinson, Yvonne Bennett, Florence Elgar, Mary Manthorpe, Irene Roughley, Heather Chaplin, Lynn Rutherford and Angela Smith. There were lists to sign for those members wishing to take part in bowls and boules taster sessions over the summer, for helpers on the WI stall at the Scarecrow Festival and for those wishing to take part in a pasta making afternoon at Passione Della Pasta, Malton. The branch had also received an invitation to a meeting at Appleton-le-Moors WI at the end of July. Members signed a card for Yvonne Bennett, who has been in hospital recently. It was agreed that the raffle money taken in September will be donated to Yorkshire Air Ambulance, who will be sending a guest speaker to the branch that month. Information regarding the lunch and car sharing for the visit to Esk Valley Theatre was handed out and orders for the WI newsletter and diary for 2017 were taken. Members had donated items for the tombola/craft/book stall the branch will be holding at the Scarecrow Festival. The speaker for the evening was Julie, from Scarborough Museums Trust, who brought along items from its costume stock and gave a talk about women’s dress from the 18th to the 20th century. Members were interested to learn some of the language of the fan and enjoyed having a close look at the items on display. Refreshments, including cakes and cookies, were served by Florence Elgar, Betty Blythe and Margaret Smith. There is no meeting in August, but visitors and guests are welcome to the meeting on Tuesday, September 13, when representatives from Yorkshire Air Ambulance will give an insight into the work of the organisation.

Snainton - Angela Howgate welcomed 35 members to the July meeting. The speaker was Roger Osborne, who lives in Snainton and is a well-known local geologist. His talk was all about how this area had developed over thousands and thousands of years. Members were reminded of the trip to Foulbridge Farm to see the Knights Templar hall followed by faith supper in Angela’s garden. Prue Butterworth read the report from the local delegate to the national WI annual general meeting which was held in Brighton in June. On behalf of all the members Angela wished Elsie Preston all best wishes for her future life near Northallerton. She has been an active member of the branch for nearly 30 years. The next meeting is on Tuesday, September 6 at 7.30pm when Anthea Firth will demonstrate willow work. Margot Newton is holding a coffee morning in aid of Associated Country Women of the World, which is allied to the WI and raises money for deprived women all over the world, today (Wednesday) from 10am to noon. It is being held in the garden of Holm Farm House, West Lane. Phone 01723 859843 for more details.