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It was reported that the outing to Chatsworth for a flower arranging demonstration on 15^th October was very much enjoyed by all who attended. But most particularily so by Heather Clarke and Joy Salt who both won exhuberent autumnal displays in the raffle.

Menu requests for the Christmas meal on the 9^th December have now been taken. The calendar for the start of next month is already filling up fast.

A vist to the National Arbretum at Alrewas is being organised for 20^th May 2009. The memorial was only partly completed on the previous visit in 2005 so it is time to see it again now so much more has been done.

Carol Edwards reported an excellent provisonal result of £640 from the jewellry sale for New Life which buys equipment for disabled children.

Next year’s main event on the social calendar will as usual be the Summer Lunch. This has now been scheduled for the 13^th August and entertainment options are being considered.

Mrs Kath Stanier issued an invitation to attend a quiz night at the Village Hall on Saturday 15^th November. Price is £5 per head, £20 per table of 4 with refreshments.

 Mr Philip Greenwood speaking on the topic “Family History” provided the entertainment part of the evening. As a once 20+ year resident of Leigh he was well known to several of the WI members so this proved to be a most enjoyable and informal session. An introduction to tracing family history was offered with suggestions as to the best options available to track down those elusive ancestors. It was suggested that we should all sit down with our living older relatives, (assuming that we still have some !) and obtain as much information from them about the family members/. Certificates should be obtained of births, marriages, deaths and the information written down so it is available for the next generation. Mr Greenwood provided invaluable suggestions as to sources of information and data on older ancestors – census data is now freely available every 10 years from 1841 to 1901 and becomes more detailed with each one. Civil registration of births, marriages and deaths was mandatory from 1836 in England so these records can be consulted and before that Parish records provide invaluable information. The Internet now has a wealth of information to search.

The meeting concluded with refreshments while a few members, inspired by the talk, asked Mr Greenwood for more details to help them get started on their own family history research.

 Next Meeting – December 9^th  - Christmas meal.

 Contact tel : 01538 722573

 Arrangements are underway for the Fiveways Group Carol service at Dodsleigh Chapel on 4^th December. A group of volunteer  singers are to be organised by Lorraine, Social secretary, to provide a musical piece appropriate to the occasion.First of all there was a report on the “Murder by Candlelight” evening for Staffordshire Federation which Leigh and District had catered at Checkley Village Hall. Two very appreciative letters of thanks were read out by the president, Mrs Wendy Kirk, and it was obvious that it had been a very enjoyable and much appreciated event with a “perfect menu” and a “wonderful meal” thanks to the hard work of the Leigh ladies ‘catering and waitress service”.  Special thanks were offered to the Leigh husbands who had helped with setting up and clearing.