PRESIDENT Judith Staddon opened the meeting by welcoming everybody to Midsummer's Day.

She asked us all to sit in silence for a short while to remember Mike Lyons, Gill’s husband, who died last Sunday and our thoughts and prayers are with Gill, Clare, Sally and Bridget at this difficult time.

Secretary Margaret Chappenden highlighted several articles in the County Newsletter including GFWI events, she was collecting the Christmas Concert money today and circulating a list for cakes and helpers for the Flower & Produce Show teas in August.

There was a list of bursaries and new Denman College brochure on the table and an assistant Secretary was need at GFWI House in Gloucester.

President Judith thanked Diane for organising a successful Bristol Zoo trip and the weather for her garden Coffee morning which made £66.21.

Judith said that it was vital for Castlegate WI to have members volunteering for the positions of president, treasurer and secretary for the November AGM otherwise our last event would be the Christmas meeting and lunch.

Margaret Lloyd was circulating the list for Jinny Ring craft centre in September and Christine Fulton was collecting £9.60 from non NT members for Hanbury Hall visit in July plus £2 from all for coffee/tea.

Judith then drew the Raffle and read out the Competition results - a small flower arrangement - 1st Judith, 2nd Mair Williams, 3rd Maureen Wood. Margaret Lloyd was collecting the pennies for the Cobalt Unit.

Our speaker, Celia Hargraves, then took the floor. She had moved to Trench Hill, Sheepscombe twenty-three years ago from Birmingham.

After mistakes and much hard work, she has transformed the three aces of hill side garden into a beautiful haven for wildlife.

Trench Hill is a high maintenance garden but creating a new feature makes a welcome break and the serendipity of unexpected results adds to this pleasure.

Trench Hill is organic and chemical free, the ducks from the pond etc helping to control pests together with high electric fencing!

It is a garden for all seasons, always something to see and is open in the National Garden Scheme as well as for private visits.

New members and visitors are always welcome, we meet at the Community Centre, Rednock Drive on the third Wednesday of every month at 9.45am.