OCTOBER marked the 61st anniversary of the formation of Bemerton Townswomen’s Guild, and members celebrated in style with a dinner at the Milford Hall Hotel, hosted by Chris Walley.

After the meal, the remarkable year of 2012 was recalled by several members.

As a grand finale to this whistle-stop tour of the year, Betty Horne ran in, appropriately dressed and carrying her own version of the Olympic Torch to the strains of Land of Hope and Glory. This was a memorable evening enjoyed by members and five guests.

Earlier in October a group had been privileged to visit the Houses of Parliament and have a guided tour of both chambers as well as the Queen’s robing room and the Royal Gallery.

Other activities during the month included Val’s Lunch Bunch gathering at the Radnor Arms, and the theatre group’s visit to the Playhouse for an excellent performance of Radio Times. Also the walking group, led by Angela Lever, set off on a sponsored walk in aid of the Carers Trust and completed as many 1,500-metre circuits of Churchill Gardens as they could manage.

The speaker at the October Guild meeting was Hannah Fewins, who gave an intriguing insight into life on royal estates, her parents having been on the staff of Buckingham Palace and in other royal households.

The next meeting will be on Thursday, November 8 at 7.15pm in Roman Road Methodist Lounge, when the speaker will be Ruth Newman, whose subject will be The Unique Memoirs of William Small, a 19th century Salisbury painter and glazier.

Visitors and new members are welcome, or call Chris on 01722 331275 for more information.