LAST month’s meeting was held on September 14 in Berkeley Town Hall from 7.30pm.

President Judith Leriche and secretary Vicky Young started the meeting.

The group had provided teas for a meeting of The Friends of Berkeley Castle.

The teas had been warmly received and a kind letter of thanks followed the event.

Various WI briefings from National Federation had been received and were available for all to read.

As with all organisations the WI has to meet organisational/ charity commission requirements – correct number of trustees; awarding of bursaries; increased annual subscriptions to £41; management/financing of Denman College.

On January 1 there is an exclusive WI event: Michael Portillo is coming to Cheltenham Town Hall Any ladies of any age wishing to discover what Berkeley WI has to offer are welcome to attend.

If you want more information about the group please call Vicky Young secretary on 01453 810929.

There is an urgent need for new members – Berkeley WI needs new members.

If you are thinking of maybe giving it a try just do it... It is a very friendly welcoming group.

Our speaker at the last meeting was Ken Brightwell – ‘Experiences of a Town Crier’.

Started with the history of the role in a world without any media other than the spoken word to pass messages.

William the Conqueror used criers to tell the country that he was in charge. Marlborough had a Town Crier in 1185.

Today’s Town Crier of Lyme Regis wears the original crier badge worn in 1732.

In 1982 Ken was Cheltenham Town Crier.

He was helped by the Town Crier from Fairford as to how to perform the duties of Town Crier correctly.

Always 3 Hear ye Hear ye Hear ye and finish the announcement with God save the Queen.

He provided his own costume with scroll and performed his duties through the streets during the Christmas period.

He proved to be a great success.; so much so that in 1991 he was appointed the unpaid Cheltenham Town Crier.