Barcombe

BARCOMBE WI: There was a good turn-out for the first WI meeting of 2017 to hear Beth Miller talk about the book she had written about the Archers. Beth was a very amusing speaker, making light of the research work involved in providing, then updating an '˜unofficial companion' to the Archers. Although nobody claimed to have listened avidly since the programme was first launched in 1951, it was evident from the audience participation and the ability of some teams to answer to quiz Beth had set for us, that quite a few WI members follow the fortunes of the residents of Ambridge with as much interest as those of the residents of Barcombe. Nobody got a full score and I think nobody could remember the name of the peacock that used to strut in the gardens of the local pub. While some members had remained happily oblivious of the high drama involving Helen and Rob, and still looked baffled by the addiction of others to a soap, I think Beth may have made some converts, as well as entertaining enthusiasts by rekindling memories of episodes and characters long in the past.