THE president, Joyce Kirkpatrick opened the meeting with a warm welcome to Brenda Yates who is visiting and Elizabeth Bridge who has joined the institute this evening.

Within the business section past and future events were discussed which included the hotpot supper and bingo evening on November 13 at Pickmere Village Hall and morning coffee at Fryers Garden Centre on November 19. Everyone is welcome to attend including non-members.

The speaker Colin Edmondson was introduced with a talk entitled The River Weaver. He is the Weaver historian and also editor of the Weaver News. The river Weaver stretches over 50 miles from its source in Peckforton Hills to its confluence with Manchester Ship Canal. From Winsford Bridge it meanders 20 miles to the Manchester Ship Canal passing through the market towns of Northwich and Frodsham.

He showed pictures of places years ago and compared them with pictures taken recently. It was fascinating to see how areas have changed. He talked about the salt being extracted from Winsford and Northwich and how it resulted in the subsidence of buildings.

A vote of thanks for an interesting talk was given by Sue MacMillan.

Refreshments provided by Helen Brown and Sue MacMillan were served after which the winners of the competition for a picture of a boat or barge were announced as follows. First Joyce Kirkpatrick, second Sheila Martin and third Maureen Whittaker. The raffle was won by Margery Broady.

The president reminded the members that the next meeting will be the AGM on November 25 at Pickmere Village Hall starting at 7.30pm. This will be followed by social time for members.