Biodiversity was the theme for Hucknall WI’s latest meeting

Mrs Davey, a biologist and a former WI County Chairman, represents the WI on the Notts Biodiversity Action Group.

It was set up in 1992 to provide a forum to secure endangered species and habitat for local flora and fauna. Linda gave a special mention to the Darkling Beetle which is found nowhere else but Sherwood Forest.

She explained that anyone with a compost heap are doing their bit for biodiversity by encouraging insects and grubs which in turn feed birds and a woodpile provides shelter for hedgehogs in the winter.

Her closing remarks suggested we shouldn’t weed so as to help wildlife. On a similar theme, Judy Gow reported on the work going on at the WI Bee Garden in Tichfield Park and said permission had been granted by Ashfield District Council to place a beehive on the site.

The Nottinghamshire WI Annual Council Meeting was held recently at the Royal Concert Hall and a report was presented by Jenny Holmes.

The arrangements for the handover of the WI Baton have yet to be finalised. However, it is to be passed to Hucknall by Eastwood & Brinsley WI and then on to Bestwood WI on the 15th June.

The Baton is being passed to all WIs in England and Wales on the run-up to the 100 year anniversary of the organisation being formed in 1915. The President, Alison Inglis, announced the Hucknall (Leenside) WI Darts team had won their league to qualify for the County final in Newark.

The secretary, Carol Curtis, gave details of forthcoming county events including a Jazz Evening at Southwell Minster, Gliding in the North of the county, and advanced notice of a county outing to a poppy factory near London.

The competition this month was for a useful recycled item and was won by Molly Smith with an old broom handle with a plastic jug fastened on the end which was used for harvesting apples and other fruit.

Tea hostesses for the evening were Ruth Houldsworth, Brenda Kitson, Maureen Parmenter and Angela Underwood. The next meeting will be the AGM on Tuesday 20th May at the Central Methodist Church, Hucknall.