The New Year meeting of Willaston WI was attended by 65 members who heard a very inspiring talk by Sonia McCann about the work of the Vine Project in South Africa. VINE is an acronym for Vulnerable In Need of Education and the charity is a small but vital means of assisting orphaned Zulu children to go to school. Their parents have died of Aids and their only care is provided by Grannies or older siblings who can barely feed them never mind pay for school fees. The Project also provides vouchers to enable the poorest to obtain food from a central Spar supermarket and assists with the purchase of the essential school uniform.

After Sonia's talk we were able to buy beaded Zulu jewellery brought over to sell in the UK.  Members had also collected many small items of children's stationery which would be taken back by Sonia on her annual visit made at her own expense.

In December members had attended two WI Carol Services including a very inspiring one for the Cheshire Federation at Chester Cathedral with a wonderful WI choir.

The Walking Group have enjoyed a ramble around the Nantwich Loop and members are now looking forward to our New Year Party at Nantwich Cricket Club with a Dinner and "in-house" entertainment! Plans are being made for a fund-raising coffee-morning in Nantwich Parish Hall on the 18th February.

Congratulations to Margaret Evans who was the Competition Cup Winner for 2011. Monthly WI meetings are held at Willaston Masonic Hall on the second Wednesday evening. Enquiries to Judy Jones tel. 567015.

Ann Harding