Pam Cowburn, co-president, welcomed members to the January meeting of Cranford WI. She announced that the lunch club would meet at the end of February and asked for volunteers for a committee to organise the institute's entry for the Cheshire Show.

Guest speaker for the meeting was Dave Thomas from the Anderton Boat Lift who gave a very interesting talk about the history of the Boat Lift. When it was built in 1908, it was the only way of getting salt from Northwich, Nantwich and Middlewich to Liverpool. It was used by narrow-boats from Stoke-on-Trent to bring china from the potteries to the Mersey. Judyth Fryer gave the vote of thanks.

The next meeting will be on February 04 at 2pm in the Jubilee Hall, Knutsford when the speaker will be Jo Rose from the charity Knutsford Good Neighbours. New members and visitors are always welcome.