Last updated 15:59, Wednesday, 16 July 2008

GILLIAN George presided and welcomed members to the June meeting to hear an interesting talk by Sarah and Angela from Age Concern, NW Cumbria.

They made us aware of all the advice provided by Age Concern, including travel insurance and funeral plans, and folders were distributed. Sarah and Angela were thanked by Peggy Stubbs.

The County Letter was discussed. Members were sad to read about the death of Rita Cottam, a well-respected member of our Esk Group.

Several members had attended the Group Meeting and we noted that Bootle WI would host the 2009 meeting. Vinnie Tray gave an excellent report of the WI AGM at Liverpool and she was thanked by everyone. As a very new member she had been impressed with the WI procedures at the meeting and thanked Edna Thornton for transport and for guiding her through the day.

Our speakers judged the competition for “A wedding invitation” and winners were Jean Phillips, Peggy Stubbs and Gillian George. Supper was served by the hostesses, Mesdames Irving, Postlethwaite and Steele.

BOOTLE WI celebrated its 83rd birthday in May and entertained members from Eskdale and Waberthwaite.

Gillian George, president, introduced Tommy Coulthard from Watermillock, chairman of the Lakeland Dialect Society. The society was formed in 1939 and a journal is published each year with contributions from members.

Mr Coulthard had a selection of books written in dialect and one of his favourite writers is John Richardson, a former stonemason who built a school at St John’s-in-the-Vale in the 1800s. Susannah Blamire from Dalston was writing in dialect in 1747 and she is buried in Raughtonhead churchyard. Another well known writer was John Stagg, the Blind Bard from Burgh by Sands.

In the 2008 Year Book is a story written by Mrs Hannah Irving, mother of our member, Mary Hogg. “Hoo ah larnt t’ ride a bike.” It was good to hear Mary read this amusing story for us. Mr Coulthard concluded by reading one of his own poems. Audrey Stevenson gave a vote of thanks.

The competition for A Dialect Book was won by Irene Irving and Debbie Singleton.

On behalf of the visitors, Mrs Anne Armstrong thanked Bootle members for a most enjoyable evening.