Bostock and District WI by Tricia Goodier

Wendy Cadwallender, President welcomed all members to the evening’s meeting.

Feedback on Ann Diamond’s talk at the Lifestyle Centre on October 6 was good as was Jean Martyn’s talk and musical performance at Winsford Academy on October 21.

The monthly coffee morning will be at Costa on November 10 followed by a walk the next day, November 11, meeting at the carpark on the Old Warrington Road (towards Marbury).The Cheshire 95th Celebration Service will be at Chester Cathedral on November 18.

Wendy introduced David Cummings who spoke on ‘The Magic of Swans’. David has been looking after the welfare of swans for 50 years. Indigenous to the British Isles is the Mute Swan which can live between 20-30 years. Around the 12th century swans were regarded as a delicious dish at banquets, etc and food for hospitals and monasteries. Since the 12th century, an ancient ceremony, ‘Swan Upping’ takes place on the Thames. It is a means of establishing a swan census by rounding up the swans and ringing their feet or marking them. Today only swans with cygnets are caught and ringed to give a snapshot of how well they are breeding. Ownership of the swans on the Thames is shared by the Queen and two Worshipful Companies. This was an enjoyable talk by David. Ruth gave the vote of thanks.

The next meeting will be AGM on November 24. Details can be obtained from Secretary Eva Williamson on 01606 75573.