As the strains of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ faded away a new year was welcomed in at the first Boothsmere WI meeting of 2015. President Chris Cameron, welcomed members and one new member, Val Hunt. Business matters were dealt with and items read from the Cheshire News.

The Christmas party was a huge success and the winners of the luxury hampers were Linda Moore, Judy Hargreaves and Beryl Morrison.

Dates for diaries: coffee morning at Chris Cameron’s house on February 16 with a Bring and Buy stall; annual Council Meeting in Winsford March 03; Group Meeting April 23 at Chelford Village Hall.

It is a very special year for WI members as the National federation celebrates its centenary and the Cheshire Federation its 95th anniversary at Gawsworth Hall on July 8.

Speaker for the meeting was George Eccleston with his talk entitled the Life and Loves of Robert Burns. Burns was born in 1759 in Alloway, he spent his earlier life working on his father’s farm. It was not until he was age 24 that his poems were published and farming became second place. By then he was enjoying his notoriety and dalliances with the ladies and he fathered several illegitimate children.

He married Jean Armour and they had nine children. His health failed and he died in Dumfries at the age of 37.

The next meeting will be on February 9 with speaker Gill Adlington on ‘Painting for Everyone’. Visitors always very welcome.