THE cold weather did not deter 60 Coads Green senior residents from attending the 40th WI Christmas party on Friday, December 8.

The guests were welcomed by president, Linda Willan.

Members served a three course tea and it was a chance for friends and neighbours to catch up with one another. The Rev Jo Smart said the grace. Alison Gribble organised the draw, as well as making the Christmas cake, which was cut by Brian and Vivian Trewin, who had celebrated their golden wedding anniversary this year. The stall was organised by Christine Walters and Gerry Rennie and opened by Frances Tucker, the president of Pensilva WI.

Vivian Trewin provided the entertainment with ‘Name that Tune’ and the evening concluded with mince pies and carols.

On Wednesday, December 13, committee member, Pat Mallett, welcomed the speaker, Mary Cole, whose topic was ladies’ underwear. Mary had been inspired to start her own collection, having heard a talk by Rosemary Hawthorne at Sterts. Members were shown a variety of garments, made from cotton, lawn, lace and satin, purchased from antique stalls or passed on from elderly relatives demonstrating styles and fabrics from the last 200 years, which was the time when women first wore underwear. The evolution to where we are today was very interesting and, until the introduction of the sewing machine in 1855, all the garments were made by hand.

The war years were also interesting with the government’s introduction of the utility mark in 1941 and the use of parachutes, when they could be obtained, for underwear and wedding dresses. Since that time, there has become a choice of styles, colours and fabrics. Today, ladies feel far removed from the bloomers, trapdoors, uncomfortable stays and fashionable corsets, feeling far more liberated than the forebears.

The vote of thanks was given by Alison Gribble, who thanked the speaker for what had been a fascinating talk and a lovely insight.

Birthday posies were presented to Betty Gribble and Vivian Trewin and Jackie Stephens won the draw. The monthly competition was won by Margaret Ridley, with Vivian Trewin in second place and Alison Gribble in third. The flower of the month was won by Margaret Ridley and Rosemary O’ Brien took second place. The hostesses were Maggie Pritchard and Jackie Stephens.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, January 10 , at 7.30pm in the chapel parlour, when the speaker will be Iain Rowe, whose topic will be mining in Caradon.