Chadwell St Mary WI started 2007 with a very enjoyable demonstration and talk from Lisa Mair from the Body Shop. She showed members various ranges of makeup and cosmetics and made up and gave a demonstration of her products on one of the members.

The second meeting in February was also very enjoyable with a visit from Maureen Francis, who a VCO from the Essex Federation.

She took the meeting through the history of the WI which started in Canada in 1897 and eventually was set up in the UK, in Wales in 1915. Worldwide there are now approximately 200, 000 members in some 70 countries. Essex federation was started in 1917 so this year we are celebrating the Federation's 90th birthday, and Maureen gave details of the many events planned.

Maureen also reminded members of the Association of Country Women of the world of which all members of the WI are corporate members. All institutes collect 'Pennies for Friendship' for this association which funds women all over the world with projects to improve their life where there is a need.

The next meeting is on March 28 at the Emmanuel Church in Chadwell St Mary at 7.30 pm and new members will be very welcome. The speaker will be George Watts and his talk is entitled 'What a Life'.