The first meeting of the new programme was held on Monday, September 8.

The president, Elizabeth Cutter welcomed everyone back after the summer break. Sue Bourne had provided an autumnal flower arrangement for the president’s table.

Thanks were expressed to Sue Amey for organising the wonderful summer outing – her first event in this role and we look forward to many more.

All the activities were mentioned and dates noted for theatre visits, skittles, book club, walking, Scrabble, pins and needles and gardening.

There is plenty to occupy members this autumn. A small group is revamping one of the hospital’s small gardens and it is hoped to donate a garden bench in the future. Local invitations were mentioned and county events were announced by Susie Appleford and Heather Marrison.

The annual council meeting is to be held on Wednesday, October 29.

Four bursaries to Denman College can be applied for this year by new members and it is hoped to gain one.

The WI centenary was mentioned – members will be hearing about this in the near future.

The competition, for a photo of Salisbury, was won by Celia Maidment. This was followed by our speaker Neil Lovesey on wildlife in the garden.

This was a talk on achieving balance in the garden and emphasised man’s interference in nature can be a good thing and a bad thing.

We also heard how to encourage bees, birds, hedgehogs, butterflies and amphibians into our gardens.

The next meeting is on October 13 when members will sample some of Neal’s Yard Remedies followed by our autumn lunch.