The meeting on June 3 started on a sombre note with all the members standing in remembrance of Margaret Richards, a founder member of the Gunwalloe WI, who died suddenly earlier in the week. She will be very much missed.

Our June business included members’ reports on the May monthly lunch, our entry into the WI competition at Stithians show next month and a browse through the County Newsletter offering a range of visits and activities county wide. After the business part of the meeting the speaker, Sandra Goodswen, was introduced. She gave a very informative talk on herbs and useful garden plants, illustrated with plenty of slides, starting in Roman times with herbs brought in from hot dry areas such as thyme, and progressing through the middle ages with plants grown by monks in the monasteries and used for medicinal purposes, as well as food and dyes.

By Elizabethan times there was more interest in scented plants such as roses and Lavender. During the First World War imported herbs were not so readily available. However the collection and use of wild herbs increased. Sphagnum moss was found to be absorbent for wounds, and in the 1930s rosehips were used to make syrup as they were a good source of vitamin C.

In more recent times there has been a resurgence of interest in herbs such as Aloe Vera, Echinacea and Evening Primrose, with homeopathy and aromatherapy becoming popular.

Our speaker was thanked for her interesting talk and supper was served by Dot Rogers and Sheila Hocking.

The competition for an arrangement of herbs was won by Dot Rogers and Dot Spragg won the flower of the month with a colourful peony.

Gunwalloe WI welcomes new members and further information is available from the secretary Dot Spragg on 01326 221127 or email the.spraggs@btinternet.com