PAM Lamb welcomed 45 members and one visitor to the January meeting. 

The speaker was Chris Smith and the subject was Cheshire cheese. Chris opened by saying he was not a cheese maker but a video maker. However, when he was asked to do a documentary video for the town of Whitchurch he found it was the centre of the Cheshire cheese industry dating back to Neolithic times.

Together with videos he talked and showed the process of producing cheese and how, in 1795, canals were swapped for horsedrawn barges, running 24-hours-a-day, to bring cheese into Whitchurch from the surrounding farms and sales of the product were held every three weeks.

The videos showed both the traditional method of cheese making and the modern Belton cheese factory. Production of cheese on farms finished during the Second World War and resumed again when the Milk Marketing Board was formed.

Samples of Cheshire cheese were passed around. This was a very interesting talk which, when concluded, members were eager to ask questions.

Pam informed members that Beryl Marston, WI adviser, will be visiting next month and thanked members, who attended the December 1940s extravaganza, for their support. A great time was had by all.

The Vale Royal Group evening on March 23 is Shelagh Johnston, Growing up with the Beatles, tickets costing £4 are now on sale.

Next meeting is on February 4, featuring Claire Mather-Dodd, chiropractor. Please contact 01606 75520 for further information.

Sally White