JUST a week after its enjoyable post-Christmas dinner at the village’s White Horse Inn, Kings Meaburn WI met again to learn about a project revitalising a small part of Britain’s derelict railway system which is leading to so much more than the reinstatement of track and buildings.

GRACE Sinton welcomed 26 members and one visitor to the meeting of Lazonby WI. The County News was read.

THE title of a talk at Morland and Newby WI meeting was “Stiles, boots and hot brushes”. This turned out to be an entertaining start to the year, as three members recounted their adventures walking some of Britain’s long distance footpaths.

THE Eden Valley Hospice Singers, under leader Janet Clayton, provided a rousing start to Penrith WI’s first meeting of 2012. Fellow members from Plumpton and Stainton, along with several visitors, enjoyed the program of spirituals, melodies from musicals and African songs, interspersed with poetry and a humorous alternative story of the creation.

FOURTEEN members of Sebergham WI eagerly arrived for the February meeting carrying family heirlooms and treasured china for the expert eye of the speaker, Howard Naylor.

WARCOP and Sandford WI president Mrs. Margaret Thomas welcomed members to the February meeting on a very cold night. She introduced Geoff Lines, speaking on the fascinating subject “Alien Plants”. He was a great enthusiast and showed beautiful slides of alien plants, which are defined as plants introduced by man intentionally or unintentionally.

MEMBERS of Appleby WI were certainly “all ears” at their meeting which brought them “Sound Advice” from Jean Riley, of Cumbria Deaf Association.

FIFTEEN members of Asby WI were present to hear Mrs. Jean Scott-Smith give a fascinating talk on the origin of place-names in Cumbria. She began by reminding members that Cumbria had been formed from Cumberland and Westmorland (and some bits of Lancashire and Yorkshire) in the 1970s. She explained that the the names Cumberland and Westmorland had been designated originally from the kingdom of Northumberland.

IT was a very frosty evening when a good number of members and two guests attended the meeting of Blencowe WI. Invitations from Ivegill and Pooley Bridge WIs were received and accepted. Names will be taken at the next meeting.

THE new year has seen the relaunch of Gamblesby WI walking group’s meander along the River Eden, source to sea. Also planned is a visit to the new archive in Carlisle, the challenge of entering a float in the Penrith Lion’s Club May carnival procession, celebrations for the Queen’s diamond jubilee and another of Rachel Morley’s crazy adventures.