Sidley WI August Fair success

Typically of the WI, "home-made" was the order of the day on the well-stocked stalls.

Home-made cakes made a tempting offering '“ traditionally the event's most popular stall.

The range of hand-knitted woollens began with baby clothes.

Home-reared plants offered the gardener a wide range of choice.

Memories of the WI's successful strawberry tea were relived by treasurer Jeanette Birch on her clothing stall via her colour photographs, displayed as a constantly changing image in a digital picture frame.

The "perfume delights" stall stocked everything from soap to scent.

The fair was topped off by a books and bags stall and raffle.

Because of her husband's work in the sugar trade, Mary Cooke has lived in seven countries. Experience of the Third World has given her a global outlook. A winnowing basket bought in Zambia formed part of the attractions on her stall illustrating the work of the Associated Countrywomen of the World movement.

"We work in Third World countries. We raise money for them. The world president is from Borneo," she explained.

Last Friday's August Fair, however, was aimed closer to home.

Sidley WI president Ivy Gallagher explained: "This time it is our own fund-raiser. We don't have an exact result yet but it will certainly be enough to keep us afloat for another year.

"It's a good way of keeping us in the public eye and I suspect we have got two or three new members as a result."