WI MEMBERS of Chipping Sodbury WI have actually seen a swazzle!

It’s the tiny instrument that enables the Punch and Judy man to produce the distinctive voice of Mr Punch.

Tis said that you’re not a real Punch and Judy man until you’ve swallowed one of these, but our speaker, professor Pete Milson, didn’t let on if he had!

That said, he is a genuine Punch and Judy professor and he entertained us with a short history from the roots of the show in Italy in the 17th century to the present day.

Traditional seaside holidays just weren’t the same in Victorian times if there was no Punch and Judy show but numbers have now dwindled, although they still take place in Weymouth and Swanage, entertaining and scaring children in equal measure, it seems.

We were treated to an introduction to the many characters that comprise the cast, from Mr Punch and his lovely wife, Judy, to the crocodile; other characters have been introduced over the years, such as a ghost, a clown, the devil and, more recently, a Minion, which is very popular with children.

Pete learned his craft from the resident Punch and Judy man in Weymouth, who has since retired.

Our meeting had started in the traditional manner with the presentation of birthday buttonholes, and this month our joint president, Pauline Winterbottom, was presented with a splendid plant to mark her golden wedding anniversary.

We had a fund-raising stall where members were pleased to bring and buy a range of accessories.

Our next meeting is in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday, November 2, after which representatives from the Blood Bikes charity will tell of their work.