NEW Hedges Women’s Institute’s year got off to a great start with speaker Carolyn Cox, on ‘My Life in the Observer’.

Carolyn described the many changes that had taken place during the time she had been working for the newspaper, and her special role in the Community Kindness Project. Her talk prompted much discussion, concluding with wondering what impact AI will have on future generations.

After a break, president Ann Maggs reviewed New Hedges WI’s progress in its subgroups. The Book Club in particular is to be admired this month for their dogged persistence in reading over 700 pages of RD Blackmore’s Lorna Doone! Ladies also voted on this year’s five potential Womens Institute resolutions. The competition, ‘An Old Observer Memory’ was won by Pat Davies.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday, February 12, 2pm at New Hedges Village Hall. The talk, to tie in with the current National campaign, will be ‘Bystanders can be Lifesavers’ and the competition a Valentine verse. Visitors are always very welcome: why not give this friendly group a try?