ST Francis Church members were in festive mood for their New Year Party.

Red covered tables were adorned with lighted angels and sparkling floral streamers and French chansons accompanied a DVD showing the delights of our Loire Valley Wine Trip.

When members were seated we were entertained by Jane Glennie, actress and historian. At the blast of a whistle and dressed in authentic WVS uniform, she transported us to a Britain of 1942.

She became the epitome of the well-intentioned, middle class lady, her rounded vowels and beautifully enunciated words exhorting us to be frugal and imaginative to help Britain to victory. This was an amusing reminder of how Britain’s households overcame shortages and hardships and still made truffles and wore mascara. But don’t look too carefully at the ingredients!

She concluded her humorous moment of theatre with a selection of witty contemporary ditties and we sang along too.

A delicious lunch was provided by Marilyn Beattie, Maureen Moore, Marilyn and Leslie Howard and Peter and Joan Tee.

This was thoroughly enjoyed, as was the fiendish quiz compiled by Keith Blake before we were serenaded by the U3A choir with a medley of Beatles songs.