Arbory Women’s Institute assembled on a very cold night and, in spite of the elements, had a good attendance.

President Mrs Sarah Philips welcomed members and went through the minutes of the last meeting followed by coming events.

There was no reading of the newsletter owing to a computer glitch so new arrangements were being set up.

There was no speaker but Roy Wilson came to give the women an opportunity to do some chair-based exercises.

Members put their chairs in a large circle around him and began.

The first exercise involved marching in a sitting position, usually with accompanying music, but because of a problem with the player the women had to march in silence. Members marched away and sounded not unlike an invading army in rubber soled boots.

Some of the exercises involving touching shoulders followed by crossing arms and clapping hands over heads caused some muddles and not a little hilarity.

Finally, members had several balls which they had to bounce and pass on to their right. Several of them escaped and hurtled around the circle which caused more laughter.

The vote of thanks was given by Mrs Kath Prior and the competition - a cushion - was won by Mrs Sheena Gilbert with Mrs Sarah Philips second. The winning cushion had ’A retired husband is a wife’s full time job’ sewn on it obviously rang a few bells.

The next meeting will be held at Arbory Methodist Hall on March 9t at 7.15pm.